Walker bashing

[OldBlueLady]

I might be wrong, but I thought I did see Peter Clarke kind of making his way forward obviously expecting to take it.

 

[Richard_Cadette]

Before he 'took' the pen Walker had been 'involved' twice, once giving the ball away and the other time committing a foul. In both incidents he looked daft.

We then get the horror penalty. He was never gonna score. Why he wanted to take it is beyond me - the man needs some confidence and setting himself up like this was risky at best.

I don't rate the player at all but I do feel concerned that he will now suffer badly from this.

Those who 'let' him take it need equal criticism, ie. Tilly & Freedman.

He probably wanted to take the penalty because at the moment, he is the most in form player we have, not to mention in terms of goals. I hardly think what he had done before he took the spot kick counts for anything, especially not for the fact he missed it.

Yes, it was an appalling penalty, and he has to shoulder the responsibility for that, no question, but he was no more at fault for our defeat than the other 14 players out on the pitch at any stage this afternoon.

Here is a guy who suffered some poor form at the start of the season, was asked to play out of position, and was subsequently dropped. He then answered his critics, and the manager, by scoring 3 in 4, and his reward for that? A place on the bench again!! He should have started today as he is the only striker in form, and he was a bright spark in an otherwise miserable performance last week.

Having overcome all that, he misses the penalty, and receives comments such as he should never wear the shirt of Southend again..... Jesus, reality check???..... He misses one penalty, and all of a sudden he should be out the door? If that's the case, there are many far better players who have missed penalties than James Walker.... Should they have been axed?

Here is a young guy who will no doubt take that kind of abuse and criticism to heart - How is that going to help him progress with us?

I have no problem with fans being unhappy with players who have consistently showed they are not good enough, but jeez, this guy is playing really well at the moment - even more remarkable as he is only limited to sub appearances. 3 goals in 4 games and we want rid? Catch on to yourselves.

The ONLY person who can take full responsibility for the defeat today is the manager for assembling and putting out a team with as weak a midfield as I can remember, and yes, I include back in our League Two days in that.

Is anyone really surprised we're now sinking quicker than the Titanic with the departure of JFC and Sawyer? I had huge concerns when Sawyer went back, and when we failed to obtain another central midfielder in the window on loan, and look at us now... 3 league defeats in a row, and I cannot see where the next point in December is coming from.

A very poor show all round.

 

[adam3811]

Wasn't that bad of a penalty, couldnt work out why he was taking it when we have one of the most experienced strikers in the division on the pitch.

that's what I didn't get and it really peeved me off to say the least..

no disrespect, but walker never looked like putting that in!

and anyway, we didn't deserve anything from that today. I thought we were awful to be honest..

 

[JoshC]

that's what I didn't get and it really peeved me off to say the least..

no disrespect, but walker never looked like putting that in!

and anyway, we didn't deserve anything from that today. I thought we were awful to be honest..

Whos fault is that? The young striker hungry to win over the fans or the experienced, well-loved striker who chose not to take it...

 

[HudsonNo1]

Whos fault is that? The young striker hungry to win over the fans or the experienced, well-loved striker who chose not to take it...

Would it be right for that same well loved striker to step up and take it if he didnt feel confident he would put it away?

 

[bertiebigbanana]

He probably wanted to take the penalty because at the moment, he is the most in form player we have, not to mention in terms of goals. I hardly think what he had done before he took the spot kick counts for anything, especially not for the fact he missed it.

Yes, it was an appalling penalty, and he has to shoulder the responsibility for that, no question, but he was no more at fault for our defeat than the other 14 players out on the pitch at any stage this afternoon.

Here is a guy who suffered some poor form at the start of the season, was asked to play out of position, and was subsequently dropped. He then answered his critics, and the manager, by scoring 3 in 4, and his reward for that? A place on the bench again!! He should have started today as he is the only striker in form, and he was a bright spark in an otherwise miserable performance last week.

Having overcome all that, he misses the penalty, and receives comments such as he should never wear the shirt of Southend again..... Jesus, reality check???..... He misses one penalty, and all of a sudden he should be out the door? If that's the case, there are many far better players who have missed penalties than James Walker.... Should they have been axed?

Here is a young guy who will no doubt take that kind of abuse and criticism to heart - How is that going to help him progress with us?

I have no problem with fans being unhappy with players who have consistently showed they are not good enough, but jeez, this guy is playing really well at the moment - even more remarkable as he is only limited to sub appearances. 3 goals in 4 games and we want rid? Catch on to yourselves.

The ONLY person who can take full responsibility for the defeat today is the manager for assembling and putting out a team with as weak a midfield as I can remember, and yes, I include back in our League Two days in that.

Is anyone really surprised we're now sinking quicker than the Titanic with the departure of JFC and Sawyer? I had huge concerns when Sawyer went back, and when we failed to obtain another central midfielder in the window on loan, and look at us now... 3 league defeats in a row, and I cannot see where the next point in December is coming from.

A very poor show all round.

RC, i almost always agree with your reasoned points of view. But on this occasion, i think your pushing the boat out a bit too far.
The most in form player?...are you sure?... especially as you dont want to base it on goals.
JW is in as bad form as any of the others out there today....if not,....poorer. The only players who can escape critisism are those that have been out injured. Of those, only freedman has delivered what is expected.
I'm not sure what went on today but to let walker take that spot kick over freedman was a grave error of judgement.
Walker is not the answer to out problems but he is starting to add to them. I dont expect miricles and a mid table finish this season would be a bonus on present form. When our backs are against the wall we need the senior players to lead by example. for what ever reason, that didnt happen today.

 

[OldBlueLady]

RC is correct, at least as far as the strikers go, about Walker being the in form one. It was a bad decision for him to take the penalty at that time and with the crowd in the kind of mood they were, personally, I'd have had no qualms at all about bringing Barney on specifically so he could be the one to have taken it.

 

[Irate Ian]

I didn't think the penalty was that bad. Bottom corner. People love a scapegoat so let them have their early Christmas present I guess. Enjoy.

Sorry, but sadly it was a powder puff hit, side foot scuff, which has often been his problem & others in the team.

Would rather Clarke or Franno had hammered one and missed than such an inept attempt - but with the stick they have been getting on here recently they would hardly be 1st to volunteer.

 

[Welly7]

Some Southend fans are an utter disgrace, you could tell they almost enjoyed Walker missing today. They just love a scapegoat.

People like that are just as scummy as any West Ham fan.

Idiots.

Of course nobody enjoyed Walker missing the penalty. The fans vented their frustration because he didn't score. Would not have mattered who took the kick. A missed penalty at home, when we're one down and with time running out would get that very same reaction every single time. Do you not think that the players felt the same thing as the fans when Walker's effort was saved? Of course they did. Difference is, fans will show their anger players will not.

 

[Richard_Cadette]

RC, i almost always agree with your reasoned points of view. But on this occasion, i think your pushing the boat out a bit too far.
The most in form player?...are you sure?... especially as you dont want to base it on goals.
JW is in as bad form as any of the others out there today....if not,....poorer. The only players who can escape critisism are those that have been out injured. Of those, only freedman has delivered what is expected.
I'm not sure what went on today but to let walker take that spot kick over freedman was a grave error of judgement.
Walker is not the answer to out problems but he is starting to add to them. I dont expect miricles and a mid table finish this season would be a bonus on present form. When our backs are against the wall we need the senior players to lead by example. for what ever reason, that didnt happen today.

In hindsight, it was a bad decision for Walker to take the penalty, but if he had stuck it in the top right stansion, I'm fairly sure most would have then thought otherwise. There are no guarantees that Freedman would have score it had he of taken it, especially as he hasn't kicked a ball in anger for the best part of 2 months.

I am struggling to see how you can say Walker is in bad form? As I have pointed out, he has been scoring at more than 1 every 2 games in recent times, and his performances when coming on as sub have been more explosive than what his predecessors on the pitch have managed.

I'm certainly not saying he is the answer to all of our prayers, nor is he the world class striker that is going to shoot us up the league, but on goals alone, he should have started the game yesterday ahead f the extremely poor Laurent Whilst I am not trying to diminish the role of missing the penalty played in us losing the game, he cannot be singled out as the main culprit in a shocking display.

What always makes me laugh when the team is not performing is how some fans instantly look for a face on the pitch to pin the blame on. I guess we're not alone in that as a club, but as I have said, you can only blame Tilson for yesterday's result, and that is because we now have a team of players, midfield especially, who are not good enough to beat what can only be described as mediocre opposition, let along the likes of Leicester City..

 

[DTS]

It was possibly the worst penalty attempt I've ever seen at Roots Hall so people will make him the scapegoat.

Can I refer you to a Drewe Broughton effort late on in a game at home in the dark old days when not only did he miss the post he also almost hit the corner flag.....

 

[JoshC]

I didn't think the penalty was that bad. Bottom corner. People love a scapegoat so let them have their early Christmas present I guess. Enjoy.

You really have no idea what your talking about do you? Nowhere near the bottom corner and moving at about 2 mph, the only thing 'not that bad' about it was the fact that it was on target

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

He probably wanted to take the penalty because at the moment, he is the most in form player we have, not to mention in terms of goals. I hardly think what he had done before he took the spot kick counts for anything, especially not for the fact he missed it.

Yes, it was an appalling penalty, and he has to shoulder the responsibility for that, no question, but he was no more at fault for our defeat than the other 14 players out on the pitch at any stage this afternoon.

RC - Like BertieBig I disagree with your views re form. If Tilly thought Walker was 'in form' then why did he leave Walker on the bench when the two he put up front from the start have hardly been looking the bees knees of late?

It was precisely because he was not in form, despite the goals, that he was left on the bench. There is more to form than scoring, and quite simply Walker has been looking out of sorts all season. I kinda think he hasn't got what it takes.

What he did before the penalty had EVERYTHING to do with the penalty miss - he carried through the poor touches he had shown to the penalty spot.

The only player really buzzing at the time of the penalty was Freedman. Why he never took it I don't know.

 

[Sharky]

Gotta be honest, I left way before the penalty was awarded.

But it sounds like it was a poorly struck penalty but who can blame the guy? He's the only striker who has been scoring properly recently, so although he was a sub - it was maybe the right choice - looking at the bigger picture.

Yeh, he missed and yeh we lost - a shocking performance - but slating the bloke even further is not going to help his confidence. We lose as a team and accept defeat as a team - but we do not single out single people and kill-off their confidence. Or in some of your cases, you do.

He may have missed the penalty which ultimately cost us the game, but whilst he continues to pull on a Southend United shirt, I will be supporting him - even if he isn't the most gifted player.

I agree, since when has slating someone got a better performance out of them than supporting them?

Although it's a worrying bit of form we're in now, i just hope we can put that right soon.

 

[David Icke]

The only positive thing to take out of the game was that once Friedman was on, we actually had a cutting edge.
Luton radio the other week were saying how we give the ball away all to easily and that is our biggest downfall.
Walker has failed to show his true potential at this club, his confidence was at rock bottom before he took the spot kick yesterday. He needs to be sold to another club in January for the good of himself and the club. Thats the bottom line and there is no room for argument. Same with Frances because neither are promotion winning players.
The penalty was so poor yesterday. After the penalty was taken, I am sure I saw the goalkeeper set up a small table, lay out and consume an afternoon tea, clear away, do the washing up, put the table back and then save the kick while reading the programme!

 

[Angell Delight]

I'm not a huge Moussa fan, but what on earth is he still doing out on loan when we are crying out for a central midfielder.

Exactly what I think, I'd take Moussa over Milsom any day of the week!

 

[Blueshrimper]

Don't panic people I am sure in January we will sign plenty more wingers who Tilly will play out of position.

 

[united we stand]

Whos fault is that? The young striker hungry to win over the fans or the experienced, well-loved striker who chose not to take it...

Before Dougie got injured everyone was saying what a good influence he was with our young strikeforce and how he effectively 'coached' them through the game. Any chance that he knows Walker is a confidence player and thought this was a opportunity for him - so he let him take the penalty? If he had scorred his peformance may have massively improved, as it has done before.------- and everyone would have said what a great idea to let him take the penalty

The above is only an idea (and not a good one) but the fact is done/most of us don't know why the decision was made.

Regardless, the team lost the match, we should not be a position where we need a penalty to get one point against Huddlesfield at home !

 

[South Bank Hank]

Before Dougie got injured everyone was saying what a good influence he was with our young strikeforce and how he effectively 'coached' them through the game. Any chance that he knows Walker is a confidence player and thought this was a opportunity for him - so he let him take the penalty? If he had scorred his peformance may have massively improved, as it has done before.------- and everyone would have said what a great idea to let him take the penalty

The above is only an idea (and not a good one) but the fact is done/most of us don't know why the decision was made.

Regardless, the team lost the match, we should not be a position where we need a penalty to get one point against Huddlesfield at home !

Has to be one of the possibilities.
Welcome to the board.

 

[EastStandBlue]

I thought this board had gone all X-Rated when I saw the title of this thread... Imagine my disappointment when I saw it was 6 pages of argument.


Walker took the pen, snatching the ball off of Freedman in the process. Freedman undoubtedly should be front of the line in penalties, being the most experienced pro and Palace's penalty taker for years, Freedman should be the man when on the field.

On snatching the ball off of Freedman, Walker's left himself wide open for the "bashing" he recieved, and he never looked like scoring it... The keeper even pointed to where Walker was going to put it just through his body language. I'm not condoning the abuse, but in all honesty, Walker was asking for it.