Light years ahead of even six weeks ago, and, I thought in some ways a better performance than when we beat Grimsby at home 3-1. We dominated them, and, looked like a proper football team. It was unfortunate we did not score but it may have been one of those days. If we maintain that level of performance until the end of the season we will stay in the league.
Just to elaborate on the post I wrote immediately after the conclusion of the game. We played Grimsby at home on the 15th of December, just thirty two days before yesterday's fixture. We won 3-1. Of interest to me was that we took a early lead in that game (3rd minute) but then were subjected to a great deal of pressure by the opposition who played some decent football. They were rewarded by a goal late in the first half to leave the scores level at half time.
In the second half we enjoyed the 'rub of the green' and managed to score twice without reply leaving us 3-1 winners. Many would agree with me that the score slightly flattered us but so wretched has our luck been during the last two seasons that no one wanted to dwell on this as we were just so relieved to win two consecutive games at home. According to the stats that night we only had thirty six percent of the possession and four shots to their ten. Yesterday we had eight shots to their three.
And while some may debate on here on who was the MOM and how effective individual players were I have not seen any post questioning the commitment and/or desire of any player.
Yesterday most would agree we did not enjoy much in the way of luck, but, even though we were playing away from home, this time we had fifty three percent of the possession. At Southend Grimsby tried to play football against us, and, indeed, caused us all sorts of problems when doing so. At home they never tried to piece together moves but instead settled on a game plan cynically designed to try and stop us playing and relying on permissive refereeing to help bring their plan to fruition.
Unlike the first fixture we looked physically stronger, more skilful and organised than them. In fact, we looked several league positions better than them. We looked like a team with self belief, and, one that is going places.
In just under five weeks the turn around has been quite amazing. In that time some players have improved out of sight, but, collectively the progress of the team has been even greater.
Yes I know it was an awful game yesterday and we did not score. But the main reason it was awful was that Grimsby's ambition never went beyond trying to stop us from playing.
My main take out from what I saw on IFollow yesterday was not that we need a target man or seldom threatened to score, but, that the opposition FEARED us yesterday and played as if they accepted we were the better side. That was NOT their attitude at Roots Hall in December.
If we can maintain this level of performance we will survive even with this group of players. But our squad still looks a little thin in places and anything done to strengthen it will be welcome.