Updates from Sol sports live

[palexander]

Quote[/b] (stickyboy @ Sep. 05 2006,16:09)]Paynter = Hooper.....he is a useful poacher, worth having on bench for last 10 mins as he did at Grays

Ricketts had a few good shots - obviously not that fit....but will he ever be....

Wasnt that why Hooper left Grays!!!?

Hope he has the patience to realise he is in the 'big time' now and bide his time. Obviously has the talent - lets hope he has the right attitude too and he could end up a real talent.

 

[Shrimpbizkit]

Quote[/b] (stickyboy @ Sep. 05 2006,16:09)]Paynter = Hooper.....he is a useful poacher, worth having on bench for last 10 mins as he did at Grays

Ricketts had a few good shots - obviously not that fit....but will he ever be....

Cant see Tilly putting him on the bench ahead of the other strikers even though in my opinion he should be. Thats what our bench has lacked this season, goal scorers.

 

[stickyboy]

Quote[/b] (Shrimpbizkit @ Sep. 05 2006,16:19)]Cant see Tilly putting him on the bench ahead of the other strikers even though in my opinion he should be. Thats what our bench has lacked this season, goal scorers.

yes i personally would like him on the bench (agree Tilly probably wont) as he is purely a poacher and will get you goals as proved so far and its got to better than bringing Prior upfront!!

 

[Scamps]

Paynter didn't even play... He was in the stands.

 

[blues_r_best]

Ricketts showed some real class on the ball in the first half, but Sodje was just immense, even if it was Northampton reserves, he won every header and was always in the right place at the right time, and his header for the goal, the ball went like a bullet, the keeper didn't even see it and Efe was about 12-15 yards out.

The sooner he get back in the first team the better.

 

[Bielzibubz]

Agree with most things already posted....especially Sodje. Absolutely immense in defence and as one observant geezer behind me pointed out "when he heads it, it stays headed".
Wouldn't surprise me to see him replacing Barret on Saturday but if not should definitely be on the bench.

Ricketts to me looked way way short of match fitness and looked to be struggling after only about ten minutes but as has been pointed out, like Goater, there were glimpses of the experience and talent the guy has.

Callum Kairnes. Looked very impressive at right back and didn't really put a foot wrong. One for the future no doubt.

Hooper ran his socks off all game and wasn't afraid to get stuck in. Same can be said of Smith but his link up play with the front two was at times way off the mark with stray passes and mistimed balls.

Prior, another solid game in the heart of defence again but IMO was overshadowed by Sodje's performance.

Hunt. Not a bad game considering he was playing out of his usual defensive role along side Smith in midfield.

Wilson. A battling performance and once or twice went looking for a nose bleed by overlapping with Cole on the flank.

Cole. Impressive first half with a number of good runs towards the by line with a few good crosses put into the box but had a much quieter second half.

They were the players that stood out for me today and as the scoreline suggests it was a good all round team performance....not great, but good.

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

Tilson just give Rickett an 45 mins to ease him in rather than risk an further injurys by making him play for 90 minutes etc. I expect Sodje & Rickett will start on 19th Sept Vs Brighton.

 

[Technician]

Ricketts took a knock midway through the first half and whilst he ran it off, he was probably taken off as a precaution more than anything else. I was impressed with his close ball play, general movement and pace for such a big lad, but he tended to drift in and out of the action and is definitely way short of fitness. I would say "early November" at the earliest before he gets a call.

Ledgister had a very good second half. Coming on for Ricketts, he made several very decent crosses, one of which resulted in the first goal by Hooper. Seems calm on the ball, has decent pace but will still pass to a team-mate if he can't get past his opponent... JCR take note!!!

Efe Sodje was excellent. Could he be the next Southend United legend?

Other notables.
Spinner, Wilson and young Kearns* all had solid performances (*Kearns looks a decent prospect).
Lawson, Cole, Hunt & Smith all had decent games. Cole just about edged the others, but spat his dummy out after his booking and looked disinterested. I feel the referee booked him after the ref had a spat with a Cobblers player moments earlier...

Hooper made all the running up front but has what appears to be suspect positional sense and hence a lot of our early chances went begging.
Lindie & Cowley. Didn't have much time to impress.

It was a fair game, but first half we resorted to head tennis in responce to the Cobblers style of play which was disappointing, but then Tilly & Brush were nowhere in sight first half. Second half Brush was in the dugout and Tilson was observing from the director's box and it was a completely different game.