Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 0-0 Woking

[rayleigh dan]

Maybe the team has run out of steam but, they still put in a shift, even though it was bereft of ideas. Today was poor and that is a polite assessment. Ten unbeaten but, twenty or so points dropped in the last thirteen games and much of it due to the very predictable, one-trick pony play, that opposition teams have exploited on a regular basis. Even some of the poorer sides in the division have added to their points tally, at our expense, because they know what we are going to do and nullify it.

This season is only about players wanting to make themselves one of Mahers favourites, we all know those that can do no wrong, and to be first picked next season. This team is capable of much more. The tactics ain't. We can, on a good day, move the ball at pace and with purpose and then, quickly, we revert to type. We can have a good preseason and bring in competent players but, if they are sent out to emulate this season's tactics, we will be in this league for a long time. Change or be dammed. Forget the key to the city and give the man a coaching manual.

Whilst I’ve been critical of Maher for being too safety first, I don’t think tactics were necessarily the problem today, more poor passing and movement when we had possession. Off the ball to be fair everyone worked hard, we got bodies behind the ball and defended effectively for the most part (Fonguck aside IMO, but I’ve already mentioned that).

I’m sure the starting 11 will get rotated in the next few games and others will have a chance to stake a claim.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Our season ended 2pm last Saturday when Maher handed in the team sheet for Hartlepool away.

It was clear then - if it wasn’t already from the Daggers’ game on TV when he subbed Bridge for a centre-half at 1-1 with 5 minutes remaining - that he wasn’t remotely interested in making a push for the play-offs. Some will criticise that, but in truth nearly all had already given up on the playoffs long before that.

Consequently we were going through the motions. It’s hard to draw meaningful conclusions from a meaningless end of season fixture.

It’s been a long season. It may still be March but this season is nearly over in both senses: this was our last Saturday 3pm home game of the season.

We haven’t had too many seasons this last decade where we’ve had to endure finishes with nothing to play for. It’s an unusual feeling as we’ve usually been fighting to stay up or holding out faint playoff hopes.

One of the few exceptions to this was 21/22 when the wheels fell off and we slipped to five consecutive defeats around this time. Maybe Maher was trying to avoid that (or maybe the 7 consecutive defeats in March last season that kept us out of the playoffs).

Whatever it was it produced a dire spectacle.

 

[Ricey]

Nothing new to add, dreadful doesn’t even sum up that game.

I cannot think of a worse game where we haven’t lost at Roots Hall in my time watching.

I feel sorry for the match sponsor who had to pick a MoM, assume they picked Husin because he is their favourite player. I wouldn’t have fancied that job. Maybe Collin for the couple of decent saves in the first half and having to constantly be put under pressure by the ridiculous playing out from the back whilst Woking high press.

Gutless, clueless and ****ing awful! I hope I never have to watch something is god awful as that display again.

 

[wiggy]

Crowther would have got a free transfer back to Kings Lynn if he played like today initially.
Paul Clark said you’d think he would have learnt after the first 3 tries of being caught in possession by trying to be tricky, it is now the 5th time!

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

The floodlights coming on in broad daylight was the high light for me.

Sorry

 

[JCB]

That aged well!

Was a miles better game than this one is being made out to be!

 

[wiggy]

Dead rubber, knackered players, nearly holiday time. We’re safe, players will be wanting to avoid late season injury and book their trip to a Greek island like the rest of us. In my opinion, these chaps have done exactly what they needed this season and they have plenty of credit in the bank.

Now, with a good rest, full pre season and a couple of signings, there will be no place to hide and no excuses in the first ten matches of next seasons. That’s when we need to judge them.

Need about 6 new decent players to compete for top 3…..nowhere near to being a Wrexham, Stockport or Chesterfield and there managers also like to shoot on goal.
What has Maher had to lose in the last few weeks to try and win games, no pressure, just terrible dire boring football?
The ownership has gone forward but the style of football is rapidly going backwards!

 

[40yearsafan]

The MOM was their bald centre back Cuthbert. Demi put in an excellent shift as did Collin (apart from small mistake). The rest were just not at the races. I suspect that’s the last we see of Wes and Wood.

I thought Cuthbert was the standout player in a nothing to play for end of season game with very few highlights.

 

[Mick]

Show some respect 10 games unbeaten that’s promotion form

Nonsense. You could go the whole season unbeaten and get relegated with 46 points. I've seen very little in our recent games that could remotely be described as "promotion form".
Disappointing after the minor miracles performed earlier in the season.

 

[cerbera45]

imagine watching this and then travelling to Wembley to watch England vs Brazil

 

[stewart]

good to see people beginning to wise up,,i will say no more .

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

For those of you old enough that was like watching Germany v Austria in Spain 82.

When we had those 3 shocking seasons that ended with us relegated to the NL I said we were like a boxer without a punch. Now we look like boxer who wont throw a punch. Not sure whats worse

Plus we need to cut out the long season and small squad excuses. If all of us hide behind that then we have no chance of a top 5 finish next season. Everyone needs to stand up and be honest. Not pin their hopes on a 20 a season man to solve our problems.

That'll be Joe Bugner then if we are looking back.....

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

Every game... Just sit hoping for the hand brake to be removed. Like watching my mother drive a car. Careful, safe and kind to others. Whereas I'm crying out for a F1 car to take some risks and drive at top speed with a win mentality. Excuse the car analogy.

 

[Rob1920]

I guess this was always going to be a season of change and survival. A few months back we’d have all taken a boring mid-table finish to the season. I still think we’ll be up there next season, at least in the play-offs & hopefully higher. We have the core of a good squad at this level, probably need to move out 2 or 3 and replace them with better quality which hopefully we’ll do once Ron is finally a thing of the past.

 

[Piledriver]

I thought Cuthbert was the standout player in a nothing to play for end of season game with very few highlights.

And why was that oh yes we kept playing hit n hope balls upto nobody in particular easy for Cuthbert and useless tactics from our team.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United fans have their say on Saturday's 0-0 draw with Woking.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[Holy Joe]

It's almost like competition for places has put players under increased pressure.

Crowther for example comes on to replace injured Taylor and plays well for the next 10 or so games whilst Taylor is out. First game Taylor is on the bench and, well, he made no claim that he should keep the starting position on Tuesday.

 

[leeblue]

Ok that’s your opinion. There’s quite a few games left. Despite the points deduction if a few results had gone our way we were in for a shout for the play offs. Not saying 10 unbeaten is a disaster .. nor am I saying these players haven’t worked miracles .. but in my own opinion we need to be developing a ruthless streak now, in preparation.

Hey, just a goal or two extra during this unbeaten run and we are game on for the play offs, I agree with you largely.
However there will always be the caveat of the rat factor, unfortunately.

 

[OldBlueLady]

It was a dour, boring game, there's no doubt about that, but, our unbeaten run has now stretched to 10 (the best in the division this season) and we have conceded the least number of goals in the division. Yet I heard boos both at half time and at the end? Have people such short memories?!

The majority of these guys have had intense pressure on them for almost two season because of the embargo, and having to continually play, often while carrying knocks. Pretty sure that they are all looking forward to being able to have some down time before coming back for a proper pre-season and with no Ron shaped clouds over Roots Hall any more.

I have no idea what went on yesterday - we seemed so narrow, barely getting the ball out to the wing backs at all, and continuously playing ourselves into trouble with poorly weighted passes. Cuthbert had the measure of Cardwell throughout the match and I think the number of headers Cards got on, you could count on one hand. For that reason, we should have been using those wide options far more, and it wasn't really till Gus came on that we saw that showing any kind of impetus.

I keep saying I'd like to see other people take corners from time to time, Miley certainly takes a decent corner, so does Morton when he plays. It doesn't always have to be Bridge.

I wondered if Crowther was a bit unnerved initially by Kensdale's mask in that he was trying to protect him a bit, I don't think he needed to worry. Kensdale played fairly well, although he wasn't quite as bullish as normal. Easily Crowther's worst game for us. Ralph was my pick of the defence, in fact he was my MOTM, he goes largely under the radar because there are some real big stars alongside him usually. He was solid, jumps the highest to win balls he really shouldn't, and was, I think, the only one to have a decent attempt on goal in the 1st half. First time I've seen Demi look off the races too. I thought Bridge worked quite hard defensively too, but that's not really where I want to see him.

Midfield was an enigma. You'd have thought after being dropped that Fonguck would come in and want to prove his qualities, but yesterday, he was back to that frustrating player we've seen all too often. Thought Cav had a decentish game, ref took a dislike to him though with a couple of bad decisions against him, one of which was a clear foul on him. Husin showed flashes of good stuff, and I guess that was why he got the sponsors' POTM, but he looked shattered early in the 2nd half - this will be the Ramadan fasting thing that we remember so well from Bilel. Hopefully Husin doesn't get the same red mist Bilel used to!

Waldron was completely ineffective, now you might say that they got next to no service up top, which would be true, but he kept getting the wrong side of players to receive passes. I won't criticise too much more because he needs that pre-season. I did wonder whether Dackers might have been a better sub because of how dominant the Woking central defenders were.

Not mentioned Collin yet. He didn't have the busiest of days but he did struggle a bit with the wind, and some of those short passes weren't weighted right so players were put under pressure. He did always offer himself for passes though, and is still young and learning.

Thought we looked so much better when Gus came on, it gave us balance and that long throw used effectively too. Not quite sure why he didn't start in all truth - was something said in the pre-match interview? Neither Woody nor Coker were able to stamp any authority on the game but I'd like to see Coker start Tuesday in place of Husin, who might benefit from having a sub spot from time to time during Ramadan. I'd also start Wood in place of Fonguck to be fair.

Collin - 6
Demi - 6
Crowther - 5
Kensdale - 6.5
Ralph - 7.5 MOTM
Bridge - 7
Miley - 6.5
Husin - 6.5
Fonguck - 5
Waldron - 5
Cardwell - 6

Subs:
Wood for Waldron - 6
Coker for Fonguck - 6
Scott-Morriss for Demi - 7

Officials - well, the ref was rather pedantic, wasn't he? Also gave some really strange decisions.

 

[meerkat54]

Hey, just a goal or two extra during this unbeaten run and we are game on for the play offs, I agree with you largely.
However there will always be the caveat of the rat factor, unfortunately.

Yes the Rat presence is still a factor I’m sure to a certain degree.
Having the Rat still legally owning us makes me uneasy . Can’t wait for us to be fully liberated.