Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 2-4 Sheffield United

[OrangeyBrown]

Losing 1 game in 14 to the best side in the league is unacceptable! Brown out :dim:

The manner in which we conceded the first 2 were poor individual errors rather than to do with our system. Conceding the 2nd the way we did was poor. But on to the next game!

 

[Danshrimper]

Can't believe how some people just can't wait to get on here and moan about Brown after 1 defeat in 14 games against the best team in the league, get a grip.

I don't think he should of changed the formation and it certainly didn't help but we're kidding ourselves if we think it would have been that much different with the normal formation. Their first 2 goals were from set pieces and had nothing to do with the formation. The 3rd and 4th goals were more to do with the fact that our defenders couldn't cope with the quicker, stronger and more talented forwards than the formation we were playing.. They are a far superior side with better players so they'd have most likely undone us whatever formation we were playing.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

He has admitted he got the tactics wrong today

Then that's hands up stuff by a manager eager to deflect criticism away from his players - good to see isn't it?
Key player out injured and obviously Sheffield would have had us watched (probably wouldn't have planned for our formation) Clearly didn't come off but that's football for you.

 

[Fairport]

The better team won this match and will probably go up. I didn't think they had any stand out performers but their work rate was excellent and they were in our faces right from the start. Ted Smith was not to blame for any of the goals but we had a few players below par today.Cox, Ranger and Fortune all have played in the Premiership and have quality, I do not blame Brown for starting all three. The disappointment was Ranger who apart from a few touches did nothing, he needs to up his work rate. At the end of the day we are still a decent side and genuine contenders for a play off place.

 

[Magnum PI]

I'm fine with the formation today.. I dont think it worked amazingly but it wasn't unnecessary tinkerking. McLaughlin was out and he had a decision to make. Had McGlashan had a more convincing game at Swindon then I expect he wouldn't have made it. Even with that decision we got back into the game and could have gone in front twice before the mistake before half time. Stupid mistakes at the back cost us today and decent teams punish you. You look at the reaction of Wilder for their third goal. He knew he was in a right game and that had we levelled we could have gone on. We never gave up, kept battling and I left heartened; far more heartened than I did when I left the Macron after we stole a draw. I believe in this side that we can do enough to get top 6; which is as much as we can hope for on our budget and crowds. With the quality we have and experience we should be confident of doing well in the Playoffs if we can stick in there.

 

[Rayleigh Shrimper]

Unfortunately we tried to match Sheffield united tactically and it went against us. To finish the game as strongly as we did and to nearly get back in it via cox was great to see. We go again next week and we go again as a team. Hopefully cokerand oxley will be back in the squad and will help continue competition for places. 1 defeat in 14 against the league leaders is nothing to be ashamed off. Roll on next Saturday. Up the Blue Boys!!

 

[RHB]

Without a doubt Sheffield will be up there at the death this season, certainly the best I have seen at the Hall so far. From the very beginning they were in our faces and on the attack...outcome 0-1 to them before we had even started playing. At that point I wondered whether we had it in us to equalise, and the answer was not that long coming when Cox continued his scoring run with a well drilled shot. At that point, until they scored their second I thought we matched them and I was watching two teams that will be there in the top 6. Just to **** me off we concede again but even then we had chances, a la Wordsworth which merited a goal. So, half time and I felt hopeful. It would probably be pointless to pick out good or bad performances at this point so I'll save it for the end of this.

Second half, we continued to compete but final balls were wasted or clearances skied to no one in particular, and Sheffield made it very plain that they are a very good side, driving forward with purpose and always looking to score again. They got their wish and at three one there was only one side in it, and it wasn't us. Cue the early departure brigade to starting sneaking out of the West stand! Then Sheffield just could not leave it alone and we were four one down and the North Stand was a sea of celebrating Blades fans....gits. All of a sudden, we started believing again and pushing forward. This was rewarded with McGlashan scoring to peg them back a bit, and had Cox's thunderbolt have gone in rather than rattling the bar, the defeat would have been almost respectable.

So, in terms of tactics, I was surprised to see Cox, Fortune and Ranger all start, I was even more surprised to see Fortune substituted instead of Ranger, who really didn't look that involved today. Whereas Fortune had a very good period until being subbed. Funnily enough after Sheffield had twisted the knife at 4-1 Ranger appeared to find his second wind (just as well as his first one was a bit flat and whiffy) and was winning balls in the air and looking more dangerous. Too little too late unfortunately. On the basis of that performance we could be forgiven for thinking that our squad is not quite up to the job when any of our first choice 11 are injured or lose form. Maybe PB will bring in some more players before the month is out. I suppose if we had to end our winning streak, to get stuffed by the probable champions is the way to do it.

As an aside which made me laugh..........during the warm up period before the game three young blues fans were interviewed by the announcer

Announcer - "Who is your favourite player? Boy number 1 "Adam Barrett" cue mild amusement, West Stand, T block

Announcer - "Who is your favourite player? Boy number 2 "Adam Barrett" cue laughter, West Stand. T block

Announcer - "Who is your favourite player? Boy number 3 "Adam Barrett" spontaneous round of applause, West Stand, T Block.

I can see us selling out all tickets for Rochdale by the way:winking:

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Unfortunately we tried to match Sheffield united tactically and it went against us. To finish the game as strongly as we did and to nearly get back in it via cox was great to see. We go again next week and we go again as a team. Hopefully cokerand oxley will be back in the squad and will help continue competition for places. 1 defeat in 14 against the league leaders is nothing to be ashamed off. Roll on next Saturday. Up the Blue Boys!!

If Coker is ready then can see Timlin moving back into the midfield but it's a big if.
Timlin has done very well as left back and I predicted a injury being Coker's best route back in - looks like McLaughlin may have provided it.

 

[RHB]

If Coker is ready then can see Timlin moving back into the midfield but it's a big if.
Timlin has done very well as left back and I predicted a injury being Coker's best route back in - looks like McLaughlin may have provided it.

I agree, Timlin has done well but as you say, if Coker is ready he has to return.

 

[Medway Blue]

Can't agree with all the "best team we've played by far" rubbish. People have gone to the game today expecting to see the best team in the division, so that's what they're telling themselves that they've seen. The only thing that really stood out about them was that they played with real confidence (understandable given the run they're on) and that they were clinical (4 shots on target, 4 goals). Apart from that I didn't think they were much to write home about and if that's the best this division has to offer then I'm not too worried about the opposition over the course of the rest of the season.

I think the change was a silly one to make. Smacks of Brown thinking he's indestructible again, some kind of Premier League-level tactician capable of making stupid changes like that. I've wanted to see Cox, Ranger and Fortune on the pitch at the same time for a while but it requires a certain formation, and today wasn't the day to try that. When you're on a 12-match unbeaten run which is solely down to team spirit and a settled 4-4-2, you don't unsettle things against the "form" team in the division with a change of system. Really silly, I thought. There were times when people didn't know what they were doing - esp Wordy who looks lost in a midfield 3 and clearly wasn't able to get forward like he has excelled at recently. Looked exposed on flanks too.

I thought we showed our quality at times and didn't look much behind them at all.

Lesson learnt. We're L1. Keep the winning system.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LennySUFC]

13 without a loss so let's change it to a 433, smells like last season. When you play top you're meant to hurry them not let them shoot twice in 120 secs!

today and an embarrassing game! They're a good team but we should be better

 

[RHB]

Can't agree with all the "best team we've played by far" rubbish. People have gone to the game today expecting to see the best team in the division, so that's what they're telling themselves that they've seen.

You're entitled to your opinion, but just because you don't agree with others doesn't make their view rubbish.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

I don't think the tactics made much difference. Sheff Utd kept and passed the ball superbly. Their movement up front to find space was superb. We were fairly beaten by a better team. Ted had one of those games like the start of the season where his reactions were too slow, and every shot seemed to go in. But I think we would have lost whoever was in goal. They cut through us pretty easily. I'll be amazed if they don't win the League. They also made it difficult to get the ball off them, because of their workrate in finding space and excellent passing.
I'm a Phil Brown in man. But he did wind me up today spending most of the first half arguing with the fourth official because he kept going outside his area. For the sake of a few inches, it was pathetic. The fourth official was right in trying to apply the rules, as they are ordered to do. Phil Brown only stopped when it looked like he was given a final warning, before being sent to the stands again. Phil should have spent his time giving instructions to the team, rather than spend it arguing with someone when he is in the wrong.

 

[amsemp]

Was scared when I saw the formation before the game but hoped the risk would pay off. Brown got this one wrong though and I don't know why he even considered tinkering with the system when facing top of the league. It just wasn't the time to do it but it doesn't seem he has much confidence in McGlashan as a starter and Hines clearly has some way to go to be match fit.

If the unbeaten run was to come to an end though then it's no shame it ending against top of the league. Just really hope it hasn't knocked the confidence out of the lads. Having a long unbeaten run behind you can do wonders for confidence. Need to bounce back straight away. Onward and upwards!

 

[IloveShrimp]

Out played by a superior team imo, although I am not sure that we should have changed tactics for this game.
Some people are being harsh I think with their remarks about our left and right backs. Both were doubled and sometimes trebled upon by Sheffield Utd and they had no cover from a very narrow midfield. Tbh I thought Timlin was our man of the match for the defence 1st half!

Second half we seemed to resort to the 'bad old days' tactics of drop deep punt the ball up to ranger and hope, but big Nile was off his game and their defender had him in his pocket all game. The other players (or manager) should have noticed this and changed tact. The last 13 games we have pressed the opposition in their half but this was not happening too much today.
I would have taken Ranger off not Fortune as Fortune had a much better work rate and was making space for others which Ranger wasn't.

No point in having big players up front if there are no wingers to get the ball to the bye line and put in crosses for them. Most the crosses we did have came from in front of their defence. Cant remember us having one shot on goal until very late in the second half!


Smith - 6 - Still does not instil me with confidence and I thought he should have came for the cross on their first goal

Demetriou - 5 - Suffered from lack of cover from midfield and had sometimes three of their players to contend with had no outlet ball many times and so had to punt it long
Timlin - 7 - mom 1st half and covered for Ferdinand more than once - as for Demetriou thereafter.
Ferdinand - 5 - Very shaky all game imo and was being turned inside out consistently, and suffered from lack of pace - his stupid foul led to their goal and was lucky in 1st half when one of their players got clean through and missed!
Thompson - 8 - Didn't do a lot wrong... gets better every game.


Leonard - 6 - Cant keep doing all the defensive work on his own, needs better support from Wordsworth, looks to being close to burnt out imo.
Atkinson - 5 - New system did not suit him and once booked dropped out of the game
Wordsworth - 4 - One of his poorer displays imo, didn't get into dangerous positions often enough (was he out last night with Ranger??)


Cox - 8 - mom - Took his goal well and played well.
Fortune - 7 - Looked lively and has a good bit of skill to bring others in play, unlucky to be taken off!
Ranger - 4 - Poor today and didn't seem to put in much effort, don't know if he was unwell, pi$$ed or been on the nest all night?. We seem to target his head with every single ball forward and it would have been good to have seen a ball passed to his feet.


Subs:

McGlashan - 7 - Looked lively when he came on and his determination got him the goal.
Hines - 5 no comment.

Ref: 7 should have booked more of theirs earlier and thus prevented their cheating.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

I agree, Timlin has done well but as you say, if Coker is ready he has to return.

Not at the expense of Timlin losing his place in the team mind. Huge part of our unbeaten run and a real leader of men. First name on my team sheet and has been for a long time.

 

[rhrussell]

Sheffield tactically, skill, and work rate they out played us and out classed us, we are not good enough unfortunately even for the playoffs, we need more skillful players, Ranger today was a waste of space, our best forward was Marc-Fortune, but what does Brown do he takes him off, sadly with more top teams coming we will end up mid table, which really our position, get energetic and skillful players in during January please. Smith not to blame for any of the goals to day.

 

[RHB]

Not at the expense of Timlin losing his place in the team mind. Huge part of our unbeaten run and a real leader of men. First name on my team sheet and has been for a long time.

Agreed. It's been a pleasure watching opposition players shuddering on the end of his tackles.

 

[mrsblue]

The Blades impressed us....the stand out for me was when they never had the ball,their work rate was incredible,no statues in that team at all,can only say they bossed us and deserved the win.

We however deserted the tactics which had reaped rewards,Too much overthinking Phil IMO.

Should of took Ranger off at ht and played Fortune and Cox in a two closer together ,Wordy was being killed in midfield without mercy.

Strange taking Fortune off,he never deserved that unless injured.

For me we looked bloody knackered,Nile looked shell shocked and completely shot.

Sheffield will go up no danger,we however are not good enough for the autos,but the PO is still there.

Phil stop fiddling with the set up please.

 

[Rayleigh Shrimper]

I'm sure in the week Brown had said fortune hadn't trained because of a dead leg so that is the only reason I can think off for him going off. Nice today to see fans still getting behind the lads at the end we will move on from this and I'm sure Brown won't make the same mistake next week with tactics.