Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 3-2 Bristol City

[shrimpfan]

Shall we just give Granty POTS now?

No the transfer window is still open [POTS] they **** off after getting this a new plan needed for the end off season awards. vote in the worst player.

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

We showed great spirit to come from behind twice, we never let our heads drop. Sturrock got his subs spot on, fantastic cross from Spencer for Corr. Coughlan was solid but was caught once in the second half but he recovered well.

Morris - No chance with the first goal but I thought could have done a bit better with the second.

Simpson - Not sure if he's played at right back before but he didn't look out of place. Won a lot in the air and got forward well.
Prosser - Really like this lad, he has a good head on him and was organizing well all game.
Coughlan - Was surprised he went the distance but he was solid enough apart from the once he got caught as I mentioned.
Barker - Class act, that is all.

Zaaboub - Didn't really happen for him tonight but it wasn't for the want of trying. Could do with losing a few pounds by the look of it aswell.
Grant - His usual busy self and someone seems to have told him where the goal is, forced two great saves from Gerkin.
Easton - Does the simple things well, he allows Grant to get further forward.
Soares - Varies what he does with his crosses which keeps people guessing. Tired in the second half.

Paterson - Hopefully those goals will have done his confidence the world of good, very good penalty despite coming off the bar.
Sturrock - Won 90% of his headers, brought others into play aswell. Exactly what a target man is supposed to do.

Subs -
Hall - Still might not be fit but the boy has some pace and skill on him.
Corr - Pleased he got a goal as he's already been taking a bit of stick.
Spencer - Great cross for Corr. Was a lucky boy not to see red for what I thought was a two footed tackle.

 

[jarvisyeh]

Was an amazing team performance, I just got home and couldn't stop telling people how much I enjoyed the match.

Not sure I agree with people saying Simpson was superb, felt he was suspect to some bad defending at times but played well considering he was out of position, only play I was disappointed with was Zabouub, but credit to Paul Sturrock for changing things around.
When Spencer came on, and ran out to the wing I began to say "Why is he out there, he is not a winger!!" only for him to then put in a good cross that Corr scored from.

Felt Grant, Coughlan and Sturrock jr. were the best players out there tonight, Coughlan won so much in the air, and his general presence was amazing, Grant was just Grant so much energy and fight, and Sturrock despite what people may have said about him has such good awareness, he holds the ball up well, finds the right pass and showed good strength too at times.
Oh praise must go to Patterson who scored a well taken free kick, and a very well placed header, didn't stop going either!!

 

[TrueBlue]

Superb match and a great little atmosphere for this one, this match was just the confidence boost this new team need and will lift us to get a result at aldershot on Saturday

Well done SUFC

 

[mattytheshrimper]

what a great game, really good team performance. too tired to go into to much detail but really pleased we won. we deserved it so much.

 

[palexander]

So nice to have a selection headache for Saturday! 442/433?? Sturrock, scored the weekend and played well tonight by all accounts. Paterson getting 2, corr playing well and getting a goal.

Plus hall and zaaboub getting back to fitness, coughlan impressing and you would imagine bilel and bouzid finally cleared.

Bloody brilliant! I know it's very early days, but this is exactly what i expected from sturrock and how he has put this team together deserves so much credit. Just hope they continue to gel and show this spirit.

 

[Magnum PI]

The views on the Brizzle fans website are that they are in freefall... blaming the result on their injuries and lack of preparation
Absolute joke, given the problems we have had.

Only one fan made any sense - Martyn Hocking

Got to be said - Southend are the weakest team we will play all season by a mile. They are the Pompey of the lower leagues - had to sell all their players bar one over the summer and brought in a completely new squad. How are they better organised and more settled than us after two games????

Yep - and Southend only had two players on their books a few weeks ago after having to release/sell the rest of the squad due to their financial difficulties. No excuses - letting a 2-1 lead slip against a team like that is a joke.

 

[wiggy]

What a night !
Morris - (7) - From what I can see must take the blame for the opener, but was in control for the rest of the match.
Simpson - (8) - Superb stand in performance at right back, and got forward well in the final third of the match
Barker - (8) - Got caught out once or twice but other than that was cool calm and collected. Took nasty poke in eye
Coughlan - (8) - Won everything in the air, but on the ground was outpaced and outbattled one too many time for me
Prosser - (9) - Who said this fella couldnt play? He was imperious
Soares - (6) - Not sure what all the fuss is about. Doesnt beat his man, and his crossing and freekicks are poor
Grant - (10) - Epic performance. Could have had a hat-trick but for Gerken, and ran the show
Easton - (8) - Played second fiddle to Grant but did everything you could ask of him
Zabouub - (6) - Didnt really get into the match and was subbed. Probably lacking in fitness
Sturrock - (9) - Class act. His touch and hold up play was brilliant. Worked hard and surprised to see him subbed early
Paterson - (9) - Took his penalty well, scored a corking header, and worked his socks off. Confidence is soaring

Corr - (9) - What a difference from saturday. His all round play and aerial ability was brilliant. The equaliser was brilliantly taken
Spencer (8) - Made a big difference on the right, never stopped working, and put in the cross of the night !
Hall - (7) - Did well, despite lacking fitness, and his excellentlty looped cross made the winner
QUOTE]

I have to agree with these almost to the exact score.

Unbelievable Team effort - I truly can't remember a Southend Team working so hard for each other - Grant was immense and must have run almost twice as far as anyone else on the pitch (bit worried that Championship sides will be looking at him pre close of the Window on this form).

Paul Sturrock got his subs spot on and noticed that we changed from 442 to 433 quite regualrly in the game - just how good is that!!!

The only scores I would not agree with were:

Morris - I'd give him a 6 - should have done better with the first - a great shot but straight at him and he does not command his box at all
Zaboub - a 5 - and I feel generous at that. He had a shocker but credit to him is that he didn't hide but kept trying
Soares - a 5 possibly 6 as you stated above - I don't think he is as good as he seems to think he is - looked better with Spencer out there.

Still, these 3 minor criticisms are me being really picky as this was a great night, great performance and even Blair won me over as he worked his nuts off and had a great game.

Off to bed happy now!!

Morris was at fault for the first, collapsing as he did Saturday and was appalling in the air. Really want to like him but afraid Mildy would have collected both those that he flapped at. Is Evans any better, we will see but could be a problem in what looks like a very promising team building. Corr was superb in the air, Sturrock has a good touch and looks classy. Excellent performance tonight and dare i say it a breath of fresh air compared to the unadventurous stuff Tilly served up!

 

[Shrimpersarmy]

Really good game tonight. For the first 15 mins they were outplaying us and i thought we would lose by 2 or 3 goals. To come from behind twice and beat a championship side was a great effort and we fully deserved the win!

A few observations:

- Patterson MUST start up front IMO, with a run in the side and a bit of confidence he could score lots of goals this season
- Coughlan was an absolute rock at the back
- Granty is absolutely incredible - He just keeps getting better and better. He literally ran himself into the ground tonight. One of the most hardworking performances i have seen for a long time - he literally covered every single blade of grass. Won the pen and was very unlucky not to score on 2 or 3 occasions. I'd be suprised if he is still here by the end of the season
- Zaboub was the only real disappointment on the night, very sloppy in possesion
- Blair Sturrock and Barry Corr are nowhere near as bad as people make out, both hold the ball up well and both will score a few goals if our wingers can put the ball in the right areas for them
- Fantastic cross by Spencer for Corr's goal, cracking header from the big man as well

Overall things are looking quite promising, we seem to have a hungry squad who are giving their all for the manager, looking forward to the next game now

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

What a night! Fantastic team performance and really feel that this will do wonders for team spirit with our new boys.

My ratings as follows:

Morris 7 - Probably at fault for 1st goal, no chance with the 2nd. Otherwise OK, would have liked to have seen Evans tonight.

Simpson 7 - Out of position at RB (What is up with Clohessy?), OK but probably the worst of the back 4
Coughlan 8 - Immense performance, great organiser, great heart - those old legs will ache in the morning!
Prosser 8.5 - What a player! Don't know what he did to upset the Vale fans, but he's been superb so far
Barker 8.5 - Real quality, best LB since Chris Powell

Soares 6 - Hmmm... jury's still out, not impressed so far. Poor set piece delivery and offers little else.
Grant 9 - What a player, so pleased he stayed - he is the heartbeat of the new team. Our new Mr Southend!
Easton 8.5 - Great choice as Captain, good organiser, keeps it simple and works hard
Zaaboub 5 - Not impressed, tried hard but not much quality.

Sturrock 9 - Great performance, an intelligent striker, needs some intelligent players around him
Paterson 9 - Took his goals well, hopefully will grow inn confidence as a result - took a great freekick too.

Subs:

Corr 9 - Led the line so well when he came on, pleased he got a goal too
Spencer 8 - Great cross for Corr's goal
Hall 7 - looked good in parts, maybe not 100% fit yet, from what we saw potentially ahead of Zaaboub and Soares


Wow - what a night - best night at the hall for ages!

 

[Joolz]

Positives: Too many to mention but Sturrock got my MOTM.

Negatives: Not sure about Simpson at full back. Time will tell of course.

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

Top stuff.

Granty MOM but big performance too from Blair who I am pleasantly suprised about.

Wonderful effort from whole team.

Five mins before game and not looking forward to my cramped East Stand seat I walked out front of stand along pitch to South Stand and was let through - thanks Mr Steward.

Missed my usual RBS stanchion but clear view from mid top South was good - anyone fanccy a swop?

Thought West Stand was a bit quiet tonight.

Gerkin responded to being wound up by making a right pratt of himself at the end. If he was a fish he'd be on a plate.

Ipshite away next round please - I really loathe those eleven toe'd losers and would love a repeat of our last trip to Portman Rd.

 

[Strykr]

didnt see the game, but just reading some of your match reports feels gooood :)

 

[ozzy-shrimper]

Anyone else really impressed with Prosser? I thought he was absolutely top quality tonight, won many headers as well as cutting out balls through and making some superb last ditch tackles.

He looks like a magical signing!

 

[BaileytheQuitter]

Absolutely delighted with how this new team is shaping up. The whole team played well, back to front. Grant and Easton controlled the game well and got stuck in. Nice to see some decent width, Spencer looked lively on the wing.

Starting 11 for Saturday?

Tough decisions? Does he put Clohessy back into the team even though Simpson played well?

I would put Phillips back into the team as I thought Coughlan tired into the second half.

I think the only way to accommodate our best performers I think we need to go 4-3-3.

Morris
Clohessy-Phillips-Prosser-Barker
Simpson-Easton-Grant
Spencer-Corr-Paterson

 

[Tommy2holes]

Anybody else dissagree that morris was at fault for either goal?

The first went in the top corner at 100mph and the second deflected over him off one of our players. How could have done better?

Ive been very impressed so far

 

[Smiffy]

Think most of the ratings have been covered so I'll just say a few words.

Prosser - The most aerially dominant Centre Half we have had since Efe. The lad is superb and on the early showings, Vale have made a big boo-boo (What a nice change for us to pick up an apparantly **** player, that turns into a diamond)

Morris - Missed the first but other than that had no chance with the 2nd goal. Reads the game superbly and will prove to be a great keeper I think.

Grant - I hope his amazing performances are for us and not for the plethora of scouts tracking him. The Best midfielder of his type in League Two, bar none. He goes, we will not replace him. He is Championship class.

Sturrock Jr - Well, I have been very impressed. Great touch, holds it up well and has good vision.

Pato - Starting to show the talent that he has now. Keep him fit and the supply line going, he'll get 15 this season.

Corr - Super sub, super touch, super header. One to watch.

Simpson - Playing out of position, but made some good tackles/headers and had a great run and shot first half. Back-up for Clohessy? No worries here.

Barker - Get the lad signed long term NOW! Very experienced and a super reader and professional.

Overall - One of the best performances I have seen in a couple of seasons. Hunger, desire, effort, communication, spirit, teamwork and a hint of class at times. Play like this more often than not and we will be troubling the top 3, not the bottom 3 this season... Oh and one more thing. Sturrock Snr is proving to be a tactical magician, he has now twice changed things up when losing (Stockport & Tonight) and both times they have resulted in goals.

 

[dave07]

When is the next round draw?????

 

[marvel315]

Haven't come away from a game so chuffed for ages.

Top marks to all the boys tonight, taking all things into account, they have spent less than a month together as a squad and they outplayed a championship team tonight.

Very impressed with Blair and Prosser tonight. Could things be on the up???

Prem team at home next round please :clap:

 

[fbm]

Excellent performance, full of character.

Let's not get too carried away though... however, it stretches the unbeaten run since Dartford.

My comments


Morris - First goal appeared to go through his hands. No chance with second. Safe hands, but Flahavan-esque at box domination., i.e. none. Not sure Evans is any better so that area may be an issue this season.

Simpson - He looks so good on the ball. Stood in well out of position. I know he didn't do much apparently on Saturday but to be honest I think his vision is so far beyond his team mates. They may grasp it eventually but mark my words, this bloke is a diamond.

Barker - Solid and please get him for the season. I believe Herds days are numbered anyway. Johnny is one of only 5 players we had from last year, so who does Sturrock bring in as moreorless his first signing? A left back. Gilbert then gets injured so who do we bring in? A left back. When the squad have all registered and are available I doubt Herd will get on the bench.

Prosser - Very impressed tonight. Maybe short on pace but commanding in the air.

Coughlan - Solid but prefer Philips. He'll be good backup though.

Soares - Good delivery at set pieces and unlucky not to score in second half but Hall is a more dangerous option IMHO.

Easton - A bit subdued tonight I thought... had little room in the middle.

Grant - Am I the only one who thought he did ok as opposed to brilliantly? He ran his socks off but so did everybody to be honest. He played well but also got booked and lost possession a few times. I think we all desperately want him to be good as he is the most senior pro left from the Tilly era.

Zaaboub - Tried lots, little came off. In the end I was just wanting him to keep it simple. Improved fitness and understanding may help that.

Paterson - Did pretty wel tonight and scored 2... that's what it's all about.

Sturrock - A pleasant surprise to be fair. I was prepared to have an open mind but you've got to have doubts when the only clubs that sign you are managed by his Dad. But he did well tonight.

Subs -

Corr - This lad is clever and if we can get a decent partner for him that can read his intelligent knock ons then we'll get lots of goals. I'm not sure we've got anyone that fits the bill as yet. Sadly his style of play means that if people don't read his lay offs it'll look like he is playing rubbish when in fact he isn't.

Hall - Fantastic anticipation for the 3rd goal. He was in motion whilst the ball was in the air prior to the knock on for him. That sort of gambling will enable him to be a really good player. Scannell would never have done that.

Spencer - Great cross for Corrs equaliser, however still has the ability to look awesome one second and awful the next.