Okay. First of all let's start with the players who could have done a bit more on the pitch today..................................................right.......that's that dealt with! That is an opening day to the season I doubt anyone will forget. Every one of those guys were brilliant and as a team they looked so cohesive. Came out the blocks firing and maintained pressure until the 344th minute or whenever it was the ref eventually blew his whistle.
The ref let a lot go, to our detriment but the sending off was a no brainer - shame Ollie picked up a needless yellow but I get the impression that this squad is, understandably a VERY tight unit and protective of each other. Gus was geeing up the West stand to make some noise in the first half indicative of his commitment and gave Callum a boll*cking when his solo run should have beena lay off to one of two players on his right hand side. Naughty Callum.
The goals were all well taken and it was a delight to see players having the courage to shoot from outside the box and reap rewards. Coker really busy from the outset and deserved his goal, a classic Mooney run and finish, lovely flick in from Harry and Callum electing to shoot first time and forego the dazzling eight man dribble. We looked comfy on the ball and, yes, there were one or two heart-stopping moments but we worked hard to retrieve the position. We never let Oldham get going. Taylr was MOTM but it could have been any one of them and I wouldn't have argued.
The fact we are genuinely top of the league is the icing on the cake. Yes....it's only one game but those guys and the Holy trinity of coaches deserve this moment. COYB!!!
PS I understand that fans want to protest. I can't stick Da Doo Nothing Ron Ron as much as anybody, but if you missed today's game to have an impact on someone who wasn't even there, you did yourself a disservice and the players. They deserved the best reception they could possibly get and the volume was not as loud as it could have been. A great shame. Attendance given as 5881 but that must include non attending S/T holders surely as it was all ticket. Loads of spaces and the lower South Stand was practically empty. Ron's got your money (he's had mine since 18th April) )so..........
Every one of that team turned up today. Lat's try and make sure we ALL do next time.
The ref let a lot go, to our detriment but the sending off was a no brainer - shame Ollie picked up a needless yellow but I get the impression that this squad is, understandably a VERY tight unit and protective of each other. Gus was geeing up the West stand to make some noise in the first half indicative of his commitment and gave Callum a boll*cking when his solo run should have beena lay off to one of two players on his right hand side. Naughty Callum.
The goals were all well taken and it was a delight to see players having the courage to shoot from outside the box and reap rewards. Coker really busy from the outset and deserved his goal, a classic Mooney run and finish, lovely flick in from Harry and Callum electing to shoot first time and forego the dazzling eight man dribble. We looked comfy on the ball and, yes, there were one or two heart-stopping moments but we worked hard to retrieve the position. We never let Oldham get going. Taylr was MOTM but it could have been any one of them and I wouldn't have argued.
The fact we are genuinely top of the league is the icing on the cake. Yes....it's only one game but those guys and the Holy trinity of coaches deserve this moment. COYB!!!
PS I understand that fans want to protest. I can't stick Da Doo Nothing Ron Ron as much as anybody, but if you missed today's game to have an impact on someone who wasn't even there, you did yourself a disservice and the players. They deserved the best reception they could possibly get and the volume was not as loud as it could have been. A great shame. Attendance given as 5881 but that must include non attending S/T holders surely as it was all ticket. Loads of spaces and the lower South Stand was practically empty. Ron's got your money (he's had mine since 18th April) )so..........
Every one of that team turned up today. Lat's try and make sure we ALL do next time.
. Thought Southend started exactly as I had imagined they would. Didn’t give Oldham a second on the ball, first to everything, Bridge and Fonguck linking up lovely on the left. The goal was only a matter of time. Really happy to see Powell get it and hoping that gives him the confidence boost he needed. After that, no doubt we took our foot off the pedal but good to make it to half time 1 up. Thought second half we were nervous and a poor pre-season really showed as legs got tired. The second goal from Coker was a beaut and settled everyone down. Pinched myself when Mooney ran at the Oldham defence and slotted a lovely curled finish into the bottom corner for number three. Absolute dreamland as Cardwell nodded home number 4!! Top of the league!! Who’d have imagined that when they woke up this morning!! We certainly didn’t. ‘Getting away with a draw’ was what we had decided was our likely best case scenario. Anyway, brilliant to be back. Brilliant to see the team have lost none of their first class attitude. Brilliant to see so many people showing amazing support to the team. Shout out to W block and drummer chap. You make the place rock! Let’s keep things positive and see where it takes us 
