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The Walsall Match

[b said:
Quote[/b] (moneypit23 @ Feb. 23 2006,09:35)]
Teams at the bottom are there for a reason - they aren't very good.
Im not so sure actually....save for a few exceptions (Swansea, Barnsley to name two) most of the teams Ive seen have been much of a much ness. If Id never had sight of a league table or seen other results Id have said MK dons were as good as most other teams, and Rotherham certainly were not 'not very good'.

I think this division has a really even spread of the standard and often teams are lower down due to lack of confidence, managerial changes, and bad luck. Harltepool who were in the playoffs last year are now struggling....did they sell many players in the summer? Or were they just deflated from missing out and getting off to a bad start (and having a fool as manager) and its affected their confidence?
 
Tranmere did'nt replace their better players in summer or improve their squad, but getting rid of Hall to chesterfield & sign reject from League One & Two don't help to improve their side.

The different between these club & Southend, that another club have high expection to finish in top 6 at least while Southend was looking to reach 54 points before end of the season & finish above the bottom 4.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Draft Shrimper @ Feb. 22 2006,21:48)]Why are so many on here being so negative?
Caution to being too positive and fear of getting our hopes dashed is something that happens to most SUFC supporters after a certain amount of time.

Are you one of the few immune to such a side affect?

wink.gif
 
At the end of the day, it doesnt matter who is managing Walsall on Saturday, If we play to our best we will beat them, as we have better calibre players at our disposal.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Smiffy @ Feb. 23 2006,11:03)]At the end of the day, it doesnt matter who is managing Walsall on Saturday, If we play to our best we will beat them, as we have better calibre players at our disposal.
Spot on.

Re your signature though Smiffy - 'Chelsea in disguise'? Our manager never whinges that much about refs, our pitch is in a decent state and most of our fans aren't fascists...
 
I'm sorry but theres far too much negativity in here. The league table doesn't lie. We score more goals than Walsall, we conceed fewer goals than Walsall and we're far higher up the league table than they are. Does that mean that we just have to turn up to get the three points? Of course not. But we haven't got a home game for the rest of the season which we shouldn't take three points from if our players do themselves justice.

I'm just not buying this "the best we can hope for is a draw" nonsense that fbm is peddling. If we're serious about going up this season then you've got to win games like these.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Beefy @ Feb. 23 2006,12:16)]We score more goals than Walsall, we conceed fewer goals than Walsall and we're far higher up the league table than they are.
I hope that this is the case on Saturday.

[b said:
Quote[/b] ]I'm just not buying this "the best we can hope for is a draw" nonsense that fbm is peddling. If we're serious about going up this season then you've got to win games like these.

In fairness, there is a fair amount of tongue in cheek with the original post... as the topic title says, it's "bloody typical" that Walsall appoint their new manager just before they play us. We've won plenty of games like these this season already, which is why we're top.

I didn't intend for my comments to be taken too seriously... but notwithstanding that, given all the circumstances, betting against Southend on Saturday is certainly what is called a "value" bet, where the odds offered don't actually equate to the "real" odds as dictated by the events that occur in real life. Something similar to Murphys Law I think, from now on called "The FBM Corollary", which states as follows;

In the world of Football, where a side are clear favourites against their opponents, from time to time there will be what is known as an "upset" that will dictate that all current form ends up whizzing out of the window in the direction of the Co-Op and the actual result goes against all the odds quoted so as to muck up a multitude of permutation wagers at assorted bookmakers across the land, thereby ensuring that the new Bentley for the aforesaid bookie can not only be ordered but paidf for in cash. Such an "upset" may be triggered by occurences such as complacency (Middlesboro v Chelsea Feb 06), the playing surface (Burton Albion v Man Utd Jan 06), the dismissal of an existing manager (Graeme Souness, Newcastle, 2006) or the appointment of a new manager (Stuart Pearce, Manchester City, 2005 and numerous other like examples)."

Tongue now firmly in cheek, in case anyone hadn't noticed.
 
Yeah thats fair enough. Walsall are a value bet I suppose, but I'm more than confident of getting three points though so I won't waste my money.

Although that won't stop me sticking a fiver on Jupp to score first and Southend to win 5-2 or whatever other stupid bet suddenly seems great value at 275/1 after a couple of shandys in the Spread....
 
I like to look at it simply. If for the reamining games we play at our best we will win 95% of our games and if we play Swansea and Col******r at their best then we will get draws. Simple. 32 points more and Elland road here we come!
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (SUFCFARAWAY @ Feb. 23 2006,13:13)]32 points more and Elland road here we come!
Dont think we will need that many...

About another 22-24 points or in simple terms (8 wins out of 12), I think will be enough this year to enter the hallowed turf of Elland Road, St Marys, Selhurst Pk, Portman Rd and the likes..

Heres hoping..

Come on Southend!

smile.gif
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (overseas shrimper @ Feb. 23 2006,11:02)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Draft Shrimper @ Feb. 22 2006,21:48)]Why are so many on here being so negative?
Caution to being too positive and fear of getting our hopes dashed is something that happens to most SUFC supporters after a certain amount of time.

Are you one of the few immune to such a side affect?

wink.gif
I'm not immune, even after my relatively short time as a Southend fan (6 seasons) I have had my hopes dashed when I thought things were taking a turn for the better.

However, I just feel that these home games in particular give us a great opportunity. I think the experience of last season where many teams came and sat back will help us for the remainder this of this season. Having said that not many sides have come and put 10 men behind the ball this season. As long as we are not complacent we'll be ok. I hope.............
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Draft Shrimper @ Feb. 23 2006,21:13)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (overseas shrimper @ Feb. 23 2006,11:02)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Draft Shrimper @ Feb. 22 2006,21:48)]Why are so many on here being so negative?
Caution to being too positive and fear of getting our hopes dashed is something that happens to most SUFC supporters after a certain amount of time.

Are you one of the few immune to such a side affect?

wink.gif
I'm not immune, even after my relatively short time as a Southend fan (6 seasons) I have had my hopes dashed when I thought things were taking a turn for the better.
6 seasons... no wonder.

In the 36 years I have been following the Blues, here's some hopes I had dashed...

1971/2 - The clubs first promotion season from Division 4. We were going for the title and promotion and had embarked on a 14 match unbeaten run. We were due to play lowly Cambridge at home in what was almost a dead cert home banker. That would almost certainly give us the title. Our keeper Derek Bellotti was injured and Peter Taylor went in goal (there were no sub keepers back then). We lost 2-1 and came runners up. We had never won anything back then. I remember getting really upset that we had missed out (well, I was only 10...)

Mid 1970's... Blues are among the early pacesetters in Division 3 and there is real talent on the pitch and a belief that this could be the first season we break into Division 2. The club owners make it known that promotion isn't really on the agenda as it would cost the club too much. We slip down the table.

1981 - Div 4 Championship winners. Dave Smith builds a wonder side that takes the division by storm, going the whole season unbeaten at The Hall and only conceding 6 goals in the process. When it seems as though we can make an assault on Division 3, Smith leaves, the team is broken up, many promises are made, the club breaks the bank bringing new, ex and current Division 1 players in, much is promised, and the club enters it's darkest period, nearly drops out of the league and almost goes bankrupt.

1991 - Webbys wonders gain 2 successive promotions to finally reach the promised land of Division 2. We tak that by storm as well and thrash Newcastle 4-0 on New Years Day to go top for the first and only time in our history. Shortly afterwards Webby and Vic Jobson fall out publicly and the team slides down the table.

1994 - Barry Fry builds the most entertaining side ever seen at the Hall and we look as though we are Premier$hite bound, taking on and beating all comers. Birmingham snatch him, Peter Taylor is appointed as a knee jerk reaction. In his first match at home v WBA we are at 0-0 after about an hour when we get a penalty. Gary Poole strikes it but the keeper beats it away. From the loose ball, WBA go straight down the other end and score. We end up losing 3-0 and that started a trend that culminated in us slipping through the 1st and 2nd divisions into the basement where we languished until Tilly/Brush took over. You I guess would have started supporting the side midway through our spell in the bottom division and the only dashed hopes were last year when we missed out on automatic promotion. But that came good in the end.

That is why us older fans are perhaps a touch more sceptical and cautious about getting too carried away. Frankly, it is too painful when the inevitable happens and someone or something comes along to pi$$ on our chips.

Don't mistake our cautious optimism for negativity. It is just a means of preserving our sanity.
 
I understand this post, and after watching the Chelsea V Col******r game on the telly, just wonder when we are going to get our luck. We lose to Scarborough in a replay when it looks like dead certs to get through to play them. When was the last time we played a Premier$hite team??
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (fbm @ Feb. 23 2006,22:41)]I'm not immune, even after my relatively short time as a Southend fan (6 seasons) I have had my hopes dashed when I thought things were taking a turn for the better.
6 seasons... no wonder.

In the 36 years I have been following the Blues, here's some hopes I had dashed...

1971/2 - The clubs first promotion season from Division 4. We were going for the title and promotion and had embarked on a 14 match unbeaten run.  We were due to play lowly Cambridge at home in what was almost a dead cert home banker.  That would almost certainly give us the title.  Our keeper Derek Bellotti was injured and Peter Taylor went in goal (there were no sub keepers back then).  We lost 2-1 and came runners up.  We had never won anything back then.  I remember getting really upset that we had missed out (well, I was only 10...)

Mid 1970's... Blues are among the early pacesetters in Division 3 and there is real talent on the pitch and a belief that this could be the first season we break into Division 2.  The club owners make it known that promotion isn't really on the agenda as it would cost the club too much.  We slip down the table.

1981 - Div 4 Championship winners.  Dave Smith builds a wonder side that takes the division by storm, going the whole season unbeaten at The Hall and only conceding 6 goals in the process.  When it seems as though we can make an assault on Division 3, Smith leaves, the team is broken up, many promises are made, the club breaks the bank bringing new, ex and current Division 1 players in, much is promised, and the club enters it's darkest period, nearly drops out of the league and almost goes bankrupt.

1991 - Webbys wonders gain 2 successive promotions to finally reach the promised land of Division 2.  We tak that by storm as well and thrash Newcastle 4-0 on New Years Day to go top for the first and only time in our history. Shortly afterwards Webby and Vic Jobson fall out publicly and the team slides down the table.

1994 - Barry Fry builds the most entertaining side ever seen at the Hall and we look as though we are Premier$hite bound, taking on and beating all comers.  Birmingham snatch him, Peter Taylor is appointed as a knee jerk reaction.  In his first match at home v WBA we are at 0-0 after about an hour when we get a penalty.  Gary Poole strikes it but the keeper beats it away.  From the loose ball, WBA go straight down the other end and score.  We end up losing 3-0 and that started a trend that culminated in us slipping through the 1st and 2nd divisions into the basement where we languished until Tilly/Brush took over.  You I guess would have started supporting the side midway through our spell in the bottom division and the only dashed hopes were last year when we missed out on automatic promotion.  But that came good in the end.

That is why us older fans are perhaps a touch more sceptical and cautious about getting too carried away.  Frankly, it is too painful when the inevitable happens and someone or something comes along to pi$$ on our chips.

Don't mistake our cautious optimism for negativity.  It is just a means of preserving our sanity.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, fbm, I was feeling quite cheerful until you reminded me of all that. I was at the Cambridge game, and we were already a goal up and cruising when Derek Bellotti crashed into the post and did his shoulder. They carried him off on a stretcher and for some reason covered him completely with a blanket, leaving us to fear the worse for a few moments.

You missed a "Typical Southend Moment" in that list. After Benji put the ball in the Bury net, we were top with two matches left to clinch the Championship and go up in style - we had been top for the majority of the season. Our last two matches were both at home - we drew on the Tuesday night with Orient, 1-1, which still kept us top, but we then crashed to a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Brentford on the last Saturday, and dropped to second. Another trophy dashed from our hands at the final moment.......
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Casual Shrimper @ Feb. 23 2006,22:46)]I understand this post, and after watching the Chelsea V Col******r game on the telly, just wonder when we are going to get our luck. We lose to Scarborough in a replay when it looks like dead certs to get through to play them. When was the last time we played a Premier$hite team??
Coventry in the league cup? 1998/9 season. Lost 1-0 at Highfield Rd having played them off the park.

There was real optimism for the return leg. Didn't really see the 0-4 defeat coming...

For 2 seasons after that we got drawn against Birmingham in the league cup but I think they were Championship and not Prem.

But you're right - it's about time we stuck it up a couple of the nig boys. The last BIG draw we had was Everton in Jan 1992 when we lost 1-0. But we were a Championship side then so it wasn't really the same.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (fbm @ Feb. 23 2006,23:37)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Casual Shrimper @ Feb. 23 2006,22:46)]I understand this post, and after watching the Chelsea V Col******r game on the telly, just wonder when we are going to get our luck. We lose to Scarborough in a replay when it looks like dead certs to get through to play them. When was the last time we played a Premier$hite team??
Coventry in the league cup?  1998/9 season.  Lost 1-0 at Highfield Rd having played them off the park.

There was real optimism for the return leg.  Didn't really see the 0-4 defeat coming...

For 2 seasons after that we got drawn against Birmingham in the league cup but I think they were Championship and not Prem.

But you're right - it's about time we stuck it up a couple of the nig boys. The last BIG draw we had was Everton in Jan 1992 when we lost 1-0.  But we were a Championship side then so it wasn't really the same.

79-80, beat Bolton 2-1 at their place (Colin Morris 2) and then held them 0-0 at home. That led to a 1-1 draw in the 3rd round with the Spam, followed by a 0-0 at home AET, and then a 5-1 thumping (didn't we play with an injured keeper in that one) back at Upton Park. That was as good as it got that season because by the end of it we were back down to Div 4.

Bolton were awful that season and got relegated from the top division.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Shrimp in a Kilt @ Feb. 23 2006,23:55)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (fbm @ Feb. 23 2006,23:37)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Casual Shrimper @ Feb. 23 2006,22:46)]I understand this post, and after watching the Chelsea V Col******r game on the telly, just wonder when we are going to get our luck. We lose to Scarborough in a replay when it looks like dead certs to get through to play them. When was the last time we played a Premier$hite team??
Coventry in the league cup?  1998/9 season.  Lost 1-0 at Highfield Rd having played them off the park.

There was real optimism for the return leg.  Didn't really see the 0-4 defeat coming...

For 2 seasons after that we got drawn against Birmingham in the league cup but I think they were Championship and not Prem.

But you're right - it's about time we stuck it up a couple of the nig boys. The last BIG draw we had was Everton in Jan 1992 when we lost 1-0.  But we were a Championship side then so it wasn't really the same.
79-80, bea Bolton 2-1 at their place (Colin Morris 2) and then held them 0-0 at home. That led to a 1-1 draw in the 3rd round with the Spam, followed by a 0-0 at home AET, and then a 5-1 thumping (didn't we play with an injured keeper in that one) back at Upton Park. That was as good as it got that season because by the end of it we were back down to Div 4.
And that I think is the ONLY time we have ever progressed past round 2 of that competition.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (fbm @ Feb. 24 2006,00:07)]And that I think is the ONLY time we have ever progressed past round 2 of that competition.
wow.gif
down.gif
 
and another on the pitch 88/89 season celebrating staying up as we'd beat Chester 1-0 only to find out Reading who had been 2-0 down at half time to Chesterfield had come back to win 4-2 and send us down on goal difference.
 

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