fbm
Blue tinted optimist⭐
West Ham kicked off and set a fantastic pace. In the first minute Harewood was set loose in the box and bought a fine save from Bartman. It was about 3 minutes before we touched the ball and to be fair the movement from the opposition pulled us all over the pitch. We were however to have a half chance from a decent ball in from the right which didn't fall to a Blue shirt.
As the clock approached the 10 minute mark, I said to my mate that we had made it through without conceding a goal. As we spoke we carved an opening which could so easily have fallen to Bentley but didn't. The ball was quickly swept up to Harewood who outpaced everyone, took the ball into the right hand side of the box and shot across Bart for the first goal. Bugger.
At that stage it was men against boys really. We were struggling to make any impact at all, although ironically Drewe had our best chance of the match when he headed a Nicolau cross wide from 6 yards out - a free header too. Dudfield had a snap shot against the post which was adjudged to be offside.
West Ham were really a different class in the first half but for all their possession, their chances were limited, and I attribute this to sterling defence work. Sadly, with the exception of Maher, the midfield in the first half went missing with probably the worst 45 minutes performance by Gower in a blue shirt I have witnessed. Bentley was lost, Pettefer couldn't get into the game and Kev was the only midfielder who looked like he was worthy of being on the pitch. I don't remember Dudfield actually touching the ball (apart from the shot mentoned above) in the first half and our only tactic was to lump it forward to Drewe, which was meat and drink to Repka.
Frankly, at half time, I was fearful of what was to come. However, it was only 1-0 and I wondered who would be happier; Blues fans that we were ONLY 1-0 down after a pretty poor first half show or West Ham that they were ONLY 1-0 up after totally dominating!
I have not idea what Tilly said at half time but I wish he'd say it prior to kick off next time! What we saw in the second period was a Blues team that played with pace, pride, passion and movement - all of which had been lacking in the first half. Our midfield took a grip and Pettefer, Bentley and Gower all started tackling, chasing, harrying and basically playing football the way they did in the second part of last season. Bear in mind that although West Ham fielded a few youngsters there were still several first teamers out there and Blues took the game to them totally. The West Ham crowd were stunned into silence as Southend thwarted their attacks and started to create some openings themselves. Maher was set up for a shot from 20 yards which curved agonisingly inches wide. Bentley had a goalbound effort blocked and Barrett failed to connect with an attempted overhead kick. Dudfield capitalised on a slip by their full back and took the ball to the six yard box, tried to square it to Drewe but it was cleared for the corner. Barrett stormed forward, played a one-two with Gower, charged goalwards and was brought down on the edge of the box by Repka, which earned him a booking. Then, another scramble produced a clear handball by a defender which was seen by the travelling army but not by the officials. Then, a period of possession ended with Bentley bursting into the box after a scramble and shooting towards goal from the angle of the 6 yard box. The ball hit the defenders face and also was tipped onto the side netting by the keeper but for a brief second the roof of the net moved and some thought we had scored. I can categorically state we didn't as the ball ended up behind the goal in front of where I sat in row A by the left hand post.
We continued to press and Tilly made a couple of changes; Tes for Drewe and shortly after Gray for Dudfield. Tes was frankly inspirational and provided the creation which had been obviously lacking in previous games. West Ham had a late chance with a shot that was well saved by Bart but he was almost a spectator in the second half.
As the match entered injury time we had a free kick on the right. Nicolau knocked it in, the ball bounced around and a Blues shot ricocheted off a defender and ballooned 20 yards up the pitch to Harewood, who was almost on his own. Jupp did his best to cover but Harewood took the ball into the box on the right and in a carbon copy of the first goal made it 2-0.
Game over then but I think the moral victory was ours. We didn't expect to win but the second half performance has left me feeling a lot more optimistic. No, we didn't score... but we LOOKED like we could. That's the difference.
Before the ratings, a mention of the fans who cheered, clapped and sang throughout. On the way out of the ground my mate overheard home fans saying something like "We should look at those Southend fans and then take a long look at ourselves. THAT'S how to support your football team."
If anyone from the club is reading this... after the last 2 home performances you didn't really deserve the unbelievable support you received. The reason you got it was because the team played the second half with pride and passion. As long as you do that we will ALWAYS be behind you. Now go and build on it at Bristol.
Ratings:
Griemink - 7. Did what he had to do and claimed crosses well. Some distribution a little iffy and if I'm being ultra-critical the 2nd goal went through his legs but it was struck hard and only from a few yards out. He was certainly a huge presence and hopefully will help convince people what a good keeper he is having made several good saves.
Jupp - 8.5 - MOM. This was undoubtably the best display I have seen him put in. His attacking opportunities were limited but he got better and stronger as the game went on. Missed a header late on but he ran himself into the ground, made some crucial tackles and stayed longer to applaud the fans than anyone else...
Barrett - 8. A very composed and strong performance against a lively frontline. Nearly scored and gave us an option that Spinner doesn't (where was he btw? Injured?)
Edwards - 7. Solid, didn't miss much and formed a good partnership with Barrett.
Nicolau - 7. Coped well against Rebrov and Harewood, both of whom decided to attack down our left. Some decent delivery from crosses and set pieces too, although not quite as good as Saturdays.
Gower - 5. Even though he improved in the second half, he is a SHADOW of last seasons player of the year. He lost possession and gave the ball away far too frequently. Is he still not 100% fit maybe?
Maher - 8. A very good performance by Kev. He was the only midfielder to come out of the first half with any credit. Never stopped battling BUT got booked for the 4th time in 5 games. At least it wasn't for dissent.
Bentley - 7. First half totally anonymous and looked out of his depth. Came into it in the second half and with a bit of luck could have scored twice.
Pettefer - 6. Better second half but I would prefer someone with more pace out wide.
Broughton - 6. Won some headers, got booked, missed a free header at goal but as always gave a committed performance.
Dudfield - 6. Didn't get much service but chased around a lot, especially second half.
Subs
Bramble - 8. Inspirational. Created two or three openings and showed us what we have been missing.
Gray - 6. Didn't really get into the game.
As the clock approached the 10 minute mark, I said to my mate that we had made it through without conceding a goal. As we spoke we carved an opening which could so easily have fallen to Bentley but didn't. The ball was quickly swept up to Harewood who outpaced everyone, took the ball into the right hand side of the box and shot across Bart for the first goal. Bugger.
At that stage it was men against boys really. We were struggling to make any impact at all, although ironically Drewe had our best chance of the match when he headed a Nicolau cross wide from 6 yards out - a free header too. Dudfield had a snap shot against the post which was adjudged to be offside.
West Ham were really a different class in the first half but for all their possession, their chances were limited, and I attribute this to sterling defence work. Sadly, with the exception of Maher, the midfield in the first half went missing with probably the worst 45 minutes performance by Gower in a blue shirt I have witnessed. Bentley was lost, Pettefer couldn't get into the game and Kev was the only midfielder who looked like he was worthy of being on the pitch. I don't remember Dudfield actually touching the ball (apart from the shot mentoned above) in the first half and our only tactic was to lump it forward to Drewe, which was meat and drink to Repka.
Frankly, at half time, I was fearful of what was to come. However, it was only 1-0 and I wondered who would be happier; Blues fans that we were ONLY 1-0 down after a pretty poor first half show or West Ham that they were ONLY 1-0 up after totally dominating!
I have not idea what Tilly said at half time but I wish he'd say it prior to kick off next time! What we saw in the second period was a Blues team that played with pace, pride, passion and movement - all of which had been lacking in the first half. Our midfield took a grip and Pettefer, Bentley and Gower all started tackling, chasing, harrying and basically playing football the way they did in the second part of last season. Bear in mind that although West Ham fielded a few youngsters there were still several first teamers out there and Blues took the game to them totally. The West Ham crowd were stunned into silence as Southend thwarted their attacks and started to create some openings themselves. Maher was set up for a shot from 20 yards which curved agonisingly inches wide. Bentley had a goalbound effort blocked and Barrett failed to connect with an attempted overhead kick. Dudfield capitalised on a slip by their full back and took the ball to the six yard box, tried to square it to Drewe but it was cleared for the corner. Barrett stormed forward, played a one-two with Gower, charged goalwards and was brought down on the edge of the box by Repka, which earned him a booking. Then, another scramble produced a clear handball by a defender which was seen by the travelling army but not by the officials. Then, a period of possession ended with Bentley bursting into the box after a scramble and shooting towards goal from the angle of the 6 yard box. The ball hit the defenders face and also was tipped onto the side netting by the keeper but for a brief second the roof of the net moved and some thought we had scored. I can categorically state we didn't as the ball ended up behind the goal in front of where I sat in row A by the left hand post.
We continued to press and Tilly made a couple of changes; Tes for Drewe and shortly after Gray for Dudfield. Tes was frankly inspirational and provided the creation which had been obviously lacking in previous games. West Ham had a late chance with a shot that was well saved by Bart but he was almost a spectator in the second half.
As the match entered injury time we had a free kick on the right. Nicolau knocked it in, the ball bounced around and a Blues shot ricocheted off a defender and ballooned 20 yards up the pitch to Harewood, who was almost on his own. Jupp did his best to cover but Harewood took the ball into the box on the right and in a carbon copy of the first goal made it 2-0.
Game over then but I think the moral victory was ours. We didn't expect to win but the second half performance has left me feeling a lot more optimistic. No, we didn't score... but we LOOKED like we could. That's the difference.
Before the ratings, a mention of the fans who cheered, clapped and sang throughout. On the way out of the ground my mate overheard home fans saying something like "We should look at those Southend fans and then take a long look at ourselves. THAT'S how to support your football team."
If anyone from the club is reading this... after the last 2 home performances you didn't really deserve the unbelievable support you received. The reason you got it was because the team played the second half with pride and passion. As long as you do that we will ALWAYS be behind you. Now go and build on it at Bristol.
Ratings:
Griemink - 7. Did what he had to do and claimed crosses well. Some distribution a little iffy and if I'm being ultra-critical the 2nd goal went through his legs but it was struck hard and only from a few yards out. He was certainly a huge presence and hopefully will help convince people what a good keeper he is having made several good saves.
Jupp - 8.5 - MOM. This was undoubtably the best display I have seen him put in. His attacking opportunities were limited but he got better and stronger as the game went on. Missed a header late on but he ran himself into the ground, made some crucial tackles and stayed longer to applaud the fans than anyone else...
Barrett - 8. A very composed and strong performance against a lively frontline. Nearly scored and gave us an option that Spinner doesn't (where was he btw? Injured?)
Edwards - 7. Solid, didn't miss much and formed a good partnership with Barrett.
Nicolau - 7. Coped well against Rebrov and Harewood, both of whom decided to attack down our left. Some decent delivery from crosses and set pieces too, although not quite as good as Saturdays.
Gower - 5. Even though he improved in the second half, he is a SHADOW of last seasons player of the year. He lost possession and gave the ball away far too frequently. Is he still not 100% fit maybe?
Maher - 8. A very good performance by Kev. He was the only midfielder to come out of the first half with any credit. Never stopped battling BUT got booked for the 4th time in 5 games. At least it wasn't for dissent.
Bentley - 7. First half totally anonymous and looked out of his depth. Came into it in the second half and with a bit of luck could have scored twice.
Pettefer - 6. Better second half but I would prefer someone with more pace out wide.
Broughton - 6. Won some headers, got booked, missed a free header at goal but as always gave a committed performance.
Dudfield - 6. Didn't get much service but chased around a lot, especially second half.
Subs
Bramble - 8. Inspirational. Created two or three openings and showed us what we have been missing.
Gray - 6. Didn't really get into the game.