Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 3-1 Halifax Town

[Jacob Sladder]

Bossed it from 20mins onwards, pretty much. Hayes untroubled until late into second half and he made a great save to put it on to the post late on. Shame about the goal but a very entertaining game. Halifax were very quick but we seemed to cope and settle down and all three goals were beauties. Kendall absolutely MOTM and 'Arry made a couple of great tackles (though a bit puzzled by his lack of a challenge on their forward breaking through in the second half). Ho hum. Lots of happy faces but it really begs the question WHAT, exactly, was the reason we were so good tonight and so poor v Maidenhead and S*ittingbores?
Allez les Bleus (a nod to European footie tonight)!

 

[Scamps]

Much better performance tonight, tempo was a lot quicker. Took us 20 mins to get going maybe the shirt choice didn’t help.

Much much better. Need to follow that up Saturday now. Nick Hayes ****ing loves it. Maher reaction at full time I think was more relief than anything and fair play to him he got it right tonight, deserves that reaction. Thought everyone worked so hard tonight . Very happy

Hayes made 2 great saves at the end. He loves it here and always wanted to sign after his loan. Hated it at Barnet was told by their manage he can rot on the bench. Apparently all the players hate it at Barnet, which I was surprised by as they are top of the league.
Anyway onto Saturday and another 3 points is a must.!

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

What a strange game....

Colour clash of kits at the start. Silly of Halifax to have an away kit that is similar in colour to their blue home shirt Fortunately some bright spark suggested we switch to our light blue away kit, which was much better.

We started very slowly and didn't look very interested, and neither did the crowd. We gradually eased our way into the game but most of our crosses were headed clear by their huge CB. Not sure if it was a deployed tactic, but two corners were swung to the far post (past the CB) and we nodded home on each occasion. The players grew in confidence and the crowd woke up.

Then, they scored a nice goal on the counter attack and we thought "here we go !" another wasted opportunity, but within minutes a long kick from Hayes was latched onto but Kendall who fended off his marker and drilled home to seal the victory. All in all, a good nights entertainment. The players were much better in an attacking formation. We just need some consistency now and grab another 3 pts on Saturday.

 

[Wickford Blue]

I suspect he was displaying a dry sense of humour…

Trust me he believed every word he said and seemed shocked when I didn't agree with him and suggested that he was reading the Internet too much!

 

[Tommy2holes]

Kev needed not just a performance and result but for the team to play to the potential that most can see and feel has been under utilised.

Today proved that. Gone was the sideways and slow approach. In came a fast pace, high closing and front footed team approach.

It begs the obvious question. Why have not been playing like this?

Hayes looked assured and made a great couple of stops. Unlucky with the deflected goal.

Goodliffe looks big and strong

Gus had a great game and scored again.

Husin showed his worst and his best.

Morton was a class act and made a big difference.

Bridge was a welcome addition but the front 3 meant that we weren't overly reliant.

Kendall worked his arse off and deservedly got a goal.

Walker showed some real nice touches and put himself about.

Hopper showed a lot of effort, strength and was rewarded with a goal.

The new lad came on and looked very positive. Good touch and has obvious ability.

Bonne has taken some stick but was excellent when he came on.

We simply must keep this formation, intensity and play on the front foot.

Please do not change back to 3-5-2. It simply doesn't work, is not entertaining and doesn't yield results.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

If that was the double spin turn in front of the East Blacks it was Bonne

Oh I thought it was Husin. Well then in that case I've just fallen a bit more in love with Bonne

 

[Gremlin]

Oh I thought it was Husin. Well then in that case I've just fallen a bit more in love with Bonne

It was Husin!

 

[Suffering shrimper]

So much better tonight fair play Kev and he has every right to give it to fans at the end you can say what you want about Kev but the man bleeds blue I’ve been critical of the players and management but would never stop going to games win Saturday and you never know especially with this club

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Great to win 3-1, but I'm certainly not getting carried away.
Up until we finally put in a decent corner and Gus followed up to head home, I thought we were bang average and hadn't really looked like scoring. In fact it looked a guaranteed 0-0.

Suddenly though, it was as though the confidence had returned and the pressure had been lifted from many of the players.
The tempo became quicker, our passing was quicker and more crisp and there was also some show boating from both young Leon and Husin for good measure. We finally saw some shots on goal and players were on the move and linking up far better.

Having said that, at 2-1, we suddenly looked really fragile again defensively, before out of nowhere Charlie Kendall raced away to finish clinically after a long ball up field was flicked on by Bonne. Didn't he enjoy winding up their centre back as we celebrated!

Even then Nick Hayes pulled off a couple of fine stops from close range following some goal mouth scrambles.

They key now is to follow this up with two more front foot performances and two more victories at home. After so many disappointing home performances this season, I can't say I'm feeling confident that'll happen. I'm hoping the players can take some confidence from tonight and prove me wrong.

Exactly. It’s about confidence not formations.

When they are confident the football flows. When they are low on confidence the football becomes stodgy.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

i wasn't at the game, but that's 3 centre backs and a keeper who aren't great with the ball at their feet. maybe that means Maher is more willing to go direct from now on. to me things still don't feel totally settled, unless now we've got some more bodies we can vary our play a bit more

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Nick Hayes. The left hand he got to that shot was just rude. The next one that pushed onto the post, wow.
Goodliffe, getting on a back post corner and forcing a goal via cheeky Gus. Massive moments in a game where two teams huffed and puffed.
I said i had put myself "on the fence" unless Kev can get this rebuild going. Good for you Kev, at last they are hitting the back of the net and someone is smiling down on you.
A team that comes back at you, like the sign above the door #nevergiveup
Feels like my old Southend tonight.

 

[rshepp]

Brilliant!
Missed game for show in London.
Looked at my phone in the interval 0-0.
My wife went mad at me.
But at 10am life got sweeter.
Well done.

 

[Magnum PI]

It was Husin!

Definitely Noor

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

It was Husin!

Yes hence straight afterwards the Noor chant from the Blue Voice. No way is Bonne doing that on the left flank. Bonne did play as if he had a point to prove though - I like that. Certain Orient fans questioned his character .. he has shown bags of it in my opinion.

 

[secondalibi]

We just look so much better when we play on the front foot with more intent. More of the same going forward please.

 

[KiwiRob]

Great performance in the second half, and great result. One has to ask, why can we only play well occasionally?

I agree and the best performances seem to coincide with playing three up front.

 

[Simon Templar]

Much better performance from the boys in two shades of blue! Really pleased to see Kendall get his goal as he works tirelessly. Also nice to see Hopper get one, he’s looking like a good target man. Let’s not forget our leading goal scorer this season, Gus. He definitely has a knack of getting himself in to goal making positions, and long may it continue. Some quality touches too from Leon, looking forward to see more of him. Much happier leaving the ground tonight, as was everyone else it seems. I’m actually looking forward to Saturdays game now. UTB

 

[Boreham Blue]

Maher has finally found the right formula…..light blue shirts at home

 

[Seaside Shrimper]

That tonight is why I’m still Kev in.

That’s how he wants us to play and when we’re good, we’re really good.

We’re still far too inconsistent to make the play offs this year for me, but with some tweaks I think we will be a really good side for the level next season.

Kendall and Hopper have alllowed us to play that way, one an option to hit early to body the other in behind, and they both work very hard off the ball to help us win the ball back higher up the pitch.

Far better from Husin tonight also and I like Parillon from his first two fleeting appearances, he’s got a good stature, he’s quick and he takes risks on the ball.

Also thought we had a decent referee in terms of the way he handled things tonight, though how the game lasted 45 minutes with that kit clash I have no idea.

If I could like a post twice I would. Haven’t agreed more with a post on here in ages.

Thought gsm had a better game all round as well as getting his goal too.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

This is Nick's second interview, and talks more about the upcoming Halifax game. He was right about the goals will come.