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Blue tinted optimist⭐🦐
SOUTHEND CRUMBLE TO THE CUMBRIANS
For the first time since the home game against Colchester on April 6th, Southend failed to score in a game (including pre season friendlies) as they went down 1-0 at home to Carlisle.
Blues missed the opportunity to go top of the table in a keenly contested match which saw Southend play some lovely passing football but fail to capitalise on their dominance. In the end they were perhaps fortunate that it was only 1-0 after a Carlisle player produced the miss of the century with 10 minutes left that would have sealed the points.
For the early part of the game however Southend played plenty of possession football but, in the first half especially, the moves usually broke down with Gower. He has not really performed this year as we know he can. The central midfield pairing of Bailey and McCormack looked as strong as ever and Maher is going to have to work very hard to get back in the side. But there is room for improvement out wide as neither Gower nor Black is currently performing to the level they need to.
Aside from them, it was probably Southend’s best performance of the season. However, as so often happens in football, things tend to kick you in the teeth when you least expect it.
Goalmouth action was at a premium in the first period, with the only efforts of note being when McCormack struck a drive that was saved by the excellent visiting keeper Keiren Westwood, who commanded his box superbly all afternoon, and an even better save from a Hammell free kick that was destined for the top corner before Westwood tipped it around the post.
The referee, who certainly let the game flow, stole the limelight by being amazingly pedantic about the placement of the ball for Hammells free kick and then by booking the same player for taking another free kick before he had blown his whistle. This made him immensely unpopular with the crowd (especially over the booking) but it was a correct decision according to the laws.
Carlisle had not really created anything in the first half but they had some pace up front and it always looked as though they could catch Blues on the break.
Southend started the stronger again and were stretching Carlisle all over the park but without ever finding the final pass or creating that clear opening. It was another set piece that came closest to breaking the deadlock when a training ground move set up Leon Clarke but his powerful drive was deflected just wide.
Hooper was having his best game in a Southend shirt so far and his workrate was much improved since the last home game but again he didn’t really have any chances.
Bailey thought he had won a penalty when he went down under a challenge in the box but the referee booked him for simulation. This sparked a period in the game where players seemed to be trying to get each other booked. Bailey was constantly involved and twice went down holding his face. As good a player as he is, I must admit to not liking that part of his game.
The deadlock was broken around the hour mark when Tommy Black lost the ball in the middle of the visiting half in front of the West stand. From that point on there was four occasions where the ball failed to run kindly for Southend and a lucky bounce or ricochet fell to a visiting player as the move progressed into Southends half. The bad luck continued in the penalty area as the ball just fell to the feet of Garner 8 yards out and in the centre of goal and he smashed it low past Collis who had no chance.
Southend looked ruffled and Carlisle nearly snatched a second when a shot was parried at the near post. Hooper made way for MacDonald and Harrold came on as a late replacement for Gower as Blues changed to a 3-4-3 formation with Hammell pushing into midfield. However, it was nearly the Cumbrians who added to the score when a swift counter attack led to the ball being squared across goal to Lumsdon 4 yards out and in the centre of an unguarded net. Unbelievably, he stroked it wide.
Southend failed to create a worthwhile effort in the last 20 minutes or so and it is the failure to beat sides near the top that is going to hamper progress this season. Still, there were plenty of positives in the way that the team played and a similar performance next week away at Northampton should bring some reward.
RATINGS –
Collis – 7 – Not much to do, no chance with the goal. Looked safe.
Hunt – 7 – A decent performance and made some fine tackles in the first half.
Hammell – 8 – Looks very good for this league. Fantastic free kick nearly opened the scoring.
Clarke P – 8 – Solid performance nearly marred by an error late on which nearly led to a Carlisle second.
Barrett – 7 – Is it just me or is he getting further and further up the pitch every week? There were times when he left us a little stretched at the back.
Gower – 6 – Better second half but not on song. Needs to be rested I think.
Bailey – 8 – Another fine midfield showing. If he stopped diving about I’d be even happier.
McCormack – 8.5 – MOM – A superb, disciplined performance. Really drove the midfield forward.
Black – 7 – Some of his crossing was not up to standard. It was good to see him get a whole game and he has undoubted class.
Clarke L – 7 – Linked well with Hooper but was rarely on the end of anything.
Hooper – 7.5 – Best game in a blue shirt. Improved work rate and made some fantastic lay offs and knock ons
Subs –
McDonald – 6 – Made no impact except get booked for a late challenge.
Harrold – 6 – Hardly touched the ball.
The Ref – Mr Whitestone – 7 – Possibly some of you will think this was high but I didn’t think he did a lot wrong. Making unpopular decisions doesn’t make him a bad referee. He played advantage extremely well and the game flowed as a result.
For the first time since the home game against Colchester on April 6th, Southend failed to score in a game (including pre season friendlies) as they went down 1-0 at home to Carlisle.
Blues missed the opportunity to go top of the table in a keenly contested match which saw Southend play some lovely passing football but fail to capitalise on their dominance. In the end they were perhaps fortunate that it was only 1-0 after a Carlisle player produced the miss of the century with 10 minutes left that would have sealed the points.
For the early part of the game however Southend played plenty of possession football but, in the first half especially, the moves usually broke down with Gower. He has not really performed this year as we know he can. The central midfield pairing of Bailey and McCormack looked as strong as ever and Maher is going to have to work very hard to get back in the side. But there is room for improvement out wide as neither Gower nor Black is currently performing to the level they need to.
Aside from them, it was probably Southend’s best performance of the season. However, as so often happens in football, things tend to kick you in the teeth when you least expect it.
Goalmouth action was at a premium in the first period, with the only efforts of note being when McCormack struck a drive that was saved by the excellent visiting keeper Keiren Westwood, who commanded his box superbly all afternoon, and an even better save from a Hammell free kick that was destined for the top corner before Westwood tipped it around the post.
The referee, who certainly let the game flow, stole the limelight by being amazingly pedantic about the placement of the ball for Hammells free kick and then by booking the same player for taking another free kick before he had blown his whistle. This made him immensely unpopular with the crowd (especially over the booking) but it was a correct decision according to the laws.
Carlisle had not really created anything in the first half but they had some pace up front and it always looked as though they could catch Blues on the break.
Southend started the stronger again and were stretching Carlisle all over the park but without ever finding the final pass or creating that clear opening. It was another set piece that came closest to breaking the deadlock when a training ground move set up Leon Clarke but his powerful drive was deflected just wide.
Hooper was having his best game in a Southend shirt so far and his workrate was much improved since the last home game but again he didn’t really have any chances.
Bailey thought he had won a penalty when he went down under a challenge in the box but the referee booked him for simulation. This sparked a period in the game where players seemed to be trying to get each other booked. Bailey was constantly involved and twice went down holding his face. As good a player as he is, I must admit to not liking that part of his game.
The deadlock was broken around the hour mark when Tommy Black lost the ball in the middle of the visiting half in front of the West stand. From that point on there was four occasions where the ball failed to run kindly for Southend and a lucky bounce or ricochet fell to a visiting player as the move progressed into Southends half. The bad luck continued in the penalty area as the ball just fell to the feet of Garner 8 yards out and in the centre of goal and he smashed it low past Collis who had no chance.
Southend looked ruffled and Carlisle nearly snatched a second when a shot was parried at the near post. Hooper made way for MacDonald and Harrold came on as a late replacement for Gower as Blues changed to a 3-4-3 formation with Hammell pushing into midfield. However, it was nearly the Cumbrians who added to the score when a swift counter attack led to the ball being squared across goal to Lumsdon 4 yards out and in the centre of an unguarded net. Unbelievably, he stroked it wide.
Southend failed to create a worthwhile effort in the last 20 minutes or so and it is the failure to beat sides near the top that is going to hamper progress this season. Still, there were plenty of positives in the way that the team played and a similar performance next week away at Northampton should bring some reward.
RATINGS –
Collis – 7 – Not much to do, no chance with the goal. Looked safe.
Hunt – 7 – A decent performance and made some fine tackles in the first half.
Hammell – 8 – Looks very good for this league. Fantastic free kick nearly opened the scoring.
Clarke P – 8 – Solid performance nearly marred by an error late on which nearly led to a Carlisle second.
Barrett – 7 – Is it just me or is he getting further and further up the pitch every week? There were times when he left us a little stretched at the back.
Gower – 6 – Better second half but not on song. Needs to be rested I think.
Bailey – 8 – Another fine midfield showing. If he stopped diving about I’d be even happier.
McCormack – 8.5 – MOM – A superb, disciplined performance. Really drove the midfield forward.
Black – 7 – Some of his crossing was not up to standard. It was good to see him get a whole game and he has undoubted class.
Clarke L – 7 – Linked well with Hooper but was rarely on the end of anything.
Hooper – 7.5 – Best game in a blue shirt. Improved work rate and made some fantastic lay offs and knock ons
Subs –
McDonald – 6 – Made no impact except get booked for a late challenge.
Harrold – 6 – Hardly touched the ball.
The Ref – Mr Whitestone – 7 – Possibly some of you will think this was high but I didn’t think he did a lot wrong. Making unpopular decisions doesn’t make him a bad referee. He played advantage extremely well and the game flowed as a result.
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