Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 2 vs 0 Cheltenham Town

[C C Csiders]

Shaky first 15 mins then Thommo had a stormer. Pigott gets it for 2 goals but Thommo ran him a very close second

Sturrock back last night then?

 

[danbowen]

Bentley 6.5 Few good saves could see he was trying too hard prob coz the bell end who made the comments after Saturday. Chin up Dan best keeper in league by miles!
White 7 Solid defending and got forward well
Coker 7 Linked up well down left and always so consistent
B-Williams 8 Comfortable and calm on ball and so strong however lucky not to concede penalty in 2nd half I thought
Thompson 9 man of match by a country mile won everything
Leonard 8 Good game defended well and got ball moving forward
Timlin 7.5 Was everywhere and broke up the play wellAtkinson 7.5 hard working and again was everywhere

Payne 8 Good game kept ball well and makes going past players look easy
Cassidy 7 Great work rate
Piggott 8 2 good goals


Subs : Barrett 7 solid and great to see back in Southend shirt
Hurst 6 ok but stupid tackle
Weston 6.5 Looked quick

 

[rigsby]

Indeed and the goals hardly flowed against York or Shrewsbury either. (Not that's there's any shame in the latter as we still had more chances than them st home )

We have played 442 for 4 games and scored 1 goal in one , a penalty against York and done well against 2 of the worst form teams in the league. That's still a big improvement though with so many 0-0 at home recently at least we are dealing with teams that in the past we struggled against.

We should have gained a lot of confidence over the past week though and that's a massive factor in itself.

Hopefully goals will continue to flow on Saturday.

Sorry to have to correct you Jam Man but since the arrival of Cassidy the record reads P5 W4 D1 L0 points 13/15

I did point out in a post around Christmas the problems of signing loan forwards in January. Not been playing/ scoring for home club, no pre-season to gel and coming into a club under immediate pressure to score.

So if you take the above into consideration and remember the performance at Shrewsbury I think the new look team is going places. You can see why I have predicted[ on another thread] us to go top by the Wycombe game.

 

[wiggy]

Bentley 6.5 Few good saves could see he was trying too hard prob coz the bell end who made the comments after Saturday. Chin up Dan best keeper in league by miles!
White 7 Solid defending and got forward well
Coker 7 Linked up well down left and always so consistent
B-Williams 8 Comfortable and calm on ball and so strong however lucky not to concede penalty in 2nd half I thought
Thompson 9 man of match by a country mile won everything
Leonard 8 Good game defended well and got ball moving forward
Timlin 7.5 Was everywhere and broke up the play wellAtkinson 7.5 hard working and again was everywhere

Payne 8 Good game kept ball well and makes going past players look easy
Cassidy 7 Great work rate
Piggott 8 2 good goals


Subs : Barrett 7 solid and great to see back in Southend shirt
Hurst 6 ok but stupid tackle
Weston 6.5 Looked quick

I think it is Brown that has put the pressure on Bentley with all that England rubbish. Clearly good enough for this league i am afraid that he is far from a top class keeper and probably never will be. Good athletic shot stopper but very very average in all other departments!

 

[IronMike]

Glad to be there last night to witness my first Southend victory at the fourth attempt.
Quite literally bumped into the SZ guv'nor too - always good to know the face behind the (screen)name.
Aside from the TZ, does anyone from here actually meet for a pre/post match drink or is it solely a computer based forum?
Very positive performance, particularly the first half - thought Cheltenham were hopeless and were just playing a damage limitation job. I noticed how every player was back defending corners, leaving no one up top to hold up play when the ball was cleared - inevitably inviting even more pressure.
You can only beat what's in front of you though and it appears the team have turned the corner at home.

I quite like Binnom-Williams at CB. I must admit on the previous occasions I've seen him at LB I thought he was useless and couldn't understand how he'd made it as pro - even though there had to be something there for that to have happened. Through injuries he's at CB and I think he's found his position - turning out to be a good loan for both clubs and player.
Balance is the key and like many have said before, it often takes time for a team to gel and a manager to know the right balance and permatan (sorry permutations).
Nice to see a front two who are mobile and chase lost causes, forcing errors and making life 'easy' for the midfield and defence.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

Comfortable win against a poor side. Quality in the first half. Didn't get out of 2nd gear in the 2nd (didn't need to)
Bentley 6.5 A bit tentative at times. I hope the troll is pleased with him/her self :thumbdown:
White 7 Solid. Typical JW. Got forward well
Coker 7 Classy player. Took a slight knock near the end, so rested
B-Williams 8 Awesome in the air. Stylish on the deck
Thompson 8 (My MOTM) Attacked everything all night long. Best I have seen him play to date
Leonard 8 Much, much better from Lenny. Passing was better and covered the defence well
Timlin 7.5 Usual busy self
Atkinson 7.5 as above
Payne 8 Lovely touches and skipped past players in the 1st half. Faded a little in the 2nd
Cassidy 7 Worked hard. Needs a tap in
Piggott 8 Lead the line well. Took his goals well.

Subs : Barrett 7 Looked solid. Great to see him back
Hurst 6.5 Ok.
Weston 6.5 Looked quick.

I trust you were at the match? I can't kick it as far as Binnom-Williams can trap it. He's speedy and muscular: good. He's tenative on the ball and passes more by luck than judgment: bad. He was always looking to pass back to Bentley. Definitely, a player in what we'll generously call: the development stage.

 

[MrB]

Just switched SSN and as they were showing L2 goals and they only showed Shrews, Burton (0-0!) and Wycombe!

I know I can see them elsewhere but you would think they could at least show our goals rather than an incident from a 0-0 game.

 

[Chaz SUFC]

Pigott and Cassidy looked so enthusiastic and hungry, if they made a mistake, got fouled etc they just got up and got on with it. I hate to say it, but very different attitude to Corr, constantly moaning to the ref at any decision.

Spot on mate, spot on

 

[KAB]

Im pleased people are seeing Cassidy for more than his goals ratio ..
Strikers score in partnerships it's important to remember this

So very true, the best comparison I can think of was the partnership of Mercer and Spencer, whilst Spencer received the plaudits for his goals the work of Mercer was often overlooked. I'm sure there are other examples but this is the one that strikes me.

 

[Shrimper in India]

Glad to be there last night to witness my first Southend victory at the fourth attempt.
Quite literally bumped into the SZ guv'nor too - always good to know the face behind the (screen)name.
Aside from the TZ, does anyone from here actually meet for a pre/post match drink or is it solely a computer based forum?
Very positive performance, particularly the first half - thought Cheltenham were hopeless and were just playing a damage limitation job. I noticed how every player was back defending corners, leaving no one up top to hold up play when the ball was cleared - inevitably inviting even more pressure.
You can only beat what's in front of you though and it appears the team have turned the corner at home.

I quite like Binnom-Williams at CB. I must admit on the previous occasions I've seen him at LB I thought he was useless and couldn't understand how he'd made it as pro - even though there had to be something there for that to have happened. Through injuries he's at CB and I think he's found his position - turning out to be a good loan for both clubs and player.
Balance is the key and like many have said before, it often takes time for a team to gel and a manager to know the right balance and permatan (sorry permutations).
Nice to see a front two who are mobile and chase lost causes, forcing errors and making life 'easy' for the midfield and defence.

Iron Mike, folk often meet in the Shrimper bar in the East for a pre and post match bevvy. Also the Spread Eagle pub in Victoria Ave is always full of zoners and the All At Sea crew.

Delighted with the win, although typical that they decide to play well now I'm back in India. Sounds a lot better than the three previous home games I was at - still, onwards and upwards! Can't believe Shrews turnaround.

 

[Jai]

Iron Mike, folk often meet in the Shrimper bar in the East for a pre and post match bevvy. Also the Spread Eagle pub in Victoria Ave is always full of zoners and the All At Sea crew.

Delighted with the win, although typical that they decide to play well now I'm back in India. Sounds a lot better than the three previous home games I was at - still, onwards and upwards! Can't believe Shrews turnaround.

I too noticed they left everyone back at corners, yet our corners were so bad (and have been all season) that in the second half they managed to break away twice and nearly score from our own set-piece!

We really need to do something about our corners. Not sure why Hurst wasn't taking them when he was on the pitch.

Overall though a good performance, particularly the first half. We were quite content to take pedal off at 2-0 which is my only other gripe really, Cheltenham looked a beaten team and we could have helped ourselves if we had kept going at any sort of tempo.

Thought Thompson was superb. Leonard was also excellent and Pigott took his goals well. Timlin everywhere as always and Cassidy could have had a goal or two on another day and his movement is excellent (Pigott chose to shoot instead of playing him through on goal in the second half but you can hardly blame him). Payne was a threat, drew defenders away from others and spotted runs well. Not much to complain about overall, and lovely to not have that awful feeling going into work on a Wednesday after a defeat the night before.

 

[Fairport]

It is great to look at the table and find us well within range of all the promotion chasers. I thought the first half performance was excellent with all eleven players looking in form and confident. Agree with most that Thompson delivered a vastly improved performance, long may it continue. Pigott is what we have been missing all season, a lad with a bit of quality about him who can score goals. The only downside for me was the substitutions which ended up with us playing Timlin, Weston, Hurst and Atkinson in attacking/midfield roles yet these players have not scored more than three or four goals between them all season! I would rather see Leonard play further forward as he has an ability to drive into the box and score. Payne should start every game, he is a very talented player and also our leading goalscorer despite being a midfield player. We seem to have a squad capable of getting promoted as long as Phil Brown plays the right players in the right system.

 

[rigsby]

PB was right to make the subs when he did. Coker was doubtful to begin with and once we had obviously secured the 3 points, Payne and Cassidy were rightly saved for Saturday.

 

[shrimperjon]

Staggered that some are writing AB off after his first 20 mins of football since before Christmas. Before he joined he played practically every game of the season for the Wombles and was outstanding against Liverpool in the cup. The guy is far from past it and still looks in very good shape. Also people have got to look further than just his playing ability. His experience, his love for the club could be worth every penny we pay for him. Plus he knows what it takes to win promotion, something most of this squad dont. Id still have him in the back four from Saturday ahead of JBW for the the reasons ive stated. Nothing at all against JBW but think Barrett is worth the gamble.

 

[Jam_Man]

It is great to look at the table and find us well within range of all the promotion chasers. I thought the first half performance was excellent with all eleven players looking in form and confident. Agree with most that Thompson delivered a vastly improved performance, long may it continue. Pigott is what we have been missing all season, a lad with a bit of quality about him who can score goals. The only downside for me was the substitutions which ended up with us playing Timlin, Weston, Hurst and Atkinson in attacking/midfield roles yet these players have not scored more than three or four goals between them all season! I would rather see Leonard play further forward as he has an ability to drive into the box and score. Payne should start every game, he is a very talented player and also our leading goalscorer despite being a midfield player. We seem to have a squad capable of getting promoted as long as Phil Brown plays the right players in the right system.

Thats the thing though, working out which are the right players and which is the right system.

Even after playing 442 the past month we have played 2 different variants of it, and the one last night worked against Cheltenham may not work against others as it was very narrow.

As for Payne, just check the last few prematch threads, many left him out of the side and no one really knows how to play him.

its his inclusion that has forced Brown to tinker so much with tactics, and when he has a good game its worth it, but he has plenty of games where he just doenst have enough of an impact to warrant the team lining up in a way to accomodate him. What happens for example when Worrall is back ?

Thats whats interesting at moment, trying to find the right system (even within 442) and who to play. Not straightforward.

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

Thats the thing though, working out which are the right players and which is the right system.

Thats whats interesting at moment, trying to find the right system (even within 442) and who to play. Not straightforward.

It is a feature of the team this season - an almost ever changing line up in terms of the defence, the midfield and up top.

Some would say it is good to have so much choice and the ability to change the system and I would agree. On the other hand we have played 30 league matches and have 16 to go and I still couldn't tell you what combination of players would theoretically make the best starting XI.

Oh well - I don't suppose it matters as long as we keep winning games.:smile:

 

[C'mon you Shrimpers]

only my second game of the season because of work.The other was a 2-0 win. Thompson just gets better (apart from his early miss with a header that he should have done better with but i am being overcriticial). Jack Payne first half was excellent. Such good close control. I usually pick out a player to have an extra look at and this time it was Cassidy. A big strong unit. Works hard, gets in good positions. Team not quite worked out the final ball to him yet. Good player IMHO who will score hopefully and when he gets one will get a lot more. Good team performance. Timlin also first class.

 

[shrimperjon]

It is great to look at the table and find us well within range of all the promotion chasers. I thought the first half performance was excellent with all eleven players looking in form and confident. Agree with most that Thompson delivered a vastly improved performance, long may it continue. Pigott is what we have been missing all season, a lad with a bit of quality about him who can score goals. The only downside for me was the substitutions which ended up with us playing Timlin, Weston, Hurst and Atkinson in attacking/midfield roles yet these players have not scored more than three or four goals between them all season! I would rather see Leonard play further forward as he has an ability to drive into the box and score. Payne should start every game, he is a very talented player and also our leading goalscorer despite being a midfield player. We seem to have a squad capable of getting promoted as long as Phil Brown plays the right players in the right system.

But then Worrall should also start every game. Payne got his chance due to DW being ill. Would say that DW fits in a 442 better than Payne. What we need with our new strike force is width and crosses into the box, Worrall gives us this, whereas Payne thrives on a more free role in the middle. At the moment if fit i would prefer Atkinson, Lenny, Timo and Worrall as the four. This gives some creativity and certainly non stop working. Payne can still drfit in and out of games soemwhat and offers little physical presence

 

[flapjack]

looked ok in the first half...job done by half-time
2nd half was dissapointing for me, would like to have seen us take teams like this to the cleaners and slot at least 4 past them as goals plus could feature in such a tight top 5 in this league...onwards to the next game, although I have a feeling Accrington might be tougher to break down

 

[Jai]

Accrington have one of the worst defensive records in the division. They're quite handy going forward though.