MORE MISERY FOR TILSON
as Southend plummet to the bottom

Southend United travelled to the West Country for a Friday night clash against Bristol Rovers, one of League Two's early pace-setters and returned pointless after a 2-1 defeat. The Shrimpers have now gone ten League games without a win and, more significantly, have picked up just two points from a possible 15 in the opening weeks of this season. Whilt Bristol Rovers move to the top of the table, Southend remain rooted to the wrong end of the Football League. We were promised so much more than this just a few weeks ago ...

Southend went behind after 12 minutes when Lee Thorpe tapped home from close range. Yet the Shrimpers fought hard to get back into the game and Rovers old boy Adam Barrett nodded home after 70 minutes - Southend's first goal from open play this season - to hand a lifeline. But five minutes from time James Hunt volleyed home to give Rovers all three points and condemn Southend to their third defeat of the season.

Southend United : Griemink, Jupp, Prior, Barrett, Nicolau, Gower (Hunt), Maher, Bentley, Pettefer (Bramble), Broughton, Dudfield (Gray).

The Match Report (bigdel)

Myself and the Dark DeShrimper both agreed that the first ten minutes was a time during which the defence had to be solid and yet, within two minutes, a slip by Spencer Prior let in the always dangerous Stuart Campbell on the wing, who unleashed a pinpoint accurate cross to Junior Agogo. With Bart Griemink prostrate on the floor and out of reach it looked a certain goal until a well-timed tackle from Nicky Nicolau prevented an opening goal for the home side. And so the scene was set with Adam Barrett, Spencer Prior and Nicky Nicolau squabbling over whose fault it was.

Five minutes later the first goal was scored by Bristol Rovers. A harmless corner went over the heads of everyone and was met by Lee Thorpe who’s tame shot bounced in front of Griemink into the far right hand corner; one-nil down and growing problems at the back were evident. The Southend midfield looked busy and yet no one could unlock a strong Bristol defence. Mark Gower went on mazy runs, yet achieved nothing, skipper Kevin Maher was his normal controlled self and Mark Bentley, who impresses me with each game, tried his best to surge forward, yet his final pass either under or over-hit.

Maher sent a 30 yard shot well wide before Griemink made amends when Agogo was through on goal, the “Bart-man” saving well by making himself large and wide. A goal mouth scramble in the Bristol Rovers goal area was well saved by Kevin Miller and only moments before a touch was needed by Barrett to divert a cross into the goal.

Half time came and myself and the Dark Deshrimper decided to be food critics. My pasty was hotter than Thierry Henry and the sausage roll had more spice than an Oriental good time girl. We both agreed excellent value and looking at the girls serving it would seem that they agreed as they must have eaten all the pies.

The second half started with Drewe Broughton waving his arms like Dutch windmill on an E tablet. Bristol started stronger with the Agogo, Thorpe and Campbell causing problems with every run. On the 50th minute a wayward shot by Maher which was going well wide was only just missed by a diving Broughton; surely a goal must come soon?! On the 68th minute Broughton rose like an eagle to head inches wide with the goal wide open and Miller rooted on the spot like a shop window doll. On the counter attack Griemink made two fine saves from Agogo. We knew a goal was coming soon, but from whom?

Our prayers was answered a cross from the right, which was accurate as a Swiss watch and met by Adam Barrett who’s pinpoint bullet header went straight in with Miller was stranded like Robinson Crusoe on his goal. Oh! how Barrett celebrated as his shirt and badge were pulled from his bull-like frame and raced across to the 150+ fans who had made the trip. Relief by all the players was evident; we had broken the goal drought so now for the win.

Both teams now went hell for leather. A wayward shot by Gower went straight to Broughton who’s first touch was horrendous. From this error Bristol counter attacked and only the “Bart-man” flinging himself like a gingerbread man from the foxes back saved a certain goal. Subs was made with the poor Gower replaced by Tes Bramble; Gower trudged off like Paula Ratcliffe whilst Bramble sprinted on like a Stallion awaiting for his mare; dark, broody and full of life.

Bramble went off in the 81st minute to replace I think eye contacts and in this time Bristol Rover attacked yet again. A pass was collected by James Hunt who then ran pass Nicolau to score with a low cross shot to nestle in the net. Grieminkwas left like the Titantic - sunk without a trace.

In a last throw of the die, Wayne Gray replaced Lawrie Dudfield, a man who is low on confidence and needs to score to boost his flagging spirits. One last run by Bentley, who was crudely brought and yet nothing given was met with the final whistle.

Its easy to be negative on the result yet a times we played well and only - and its a big only -we need better final distribution to the forwards. Too many times we made space and the final pass was poor.

PLAYER RATINGS

Bart Griemink 8.5
At fault for first goal, however saved numerous goal bound shots looks a good buy for Tilson.
Nicky Nicolau 7
Steady but needs to come back faster when attacking.
Duncan Jupp 6
Marked for first half; you know with Jupp - his runs are good and final pass poor.
Spencer Prior 6
Is he finding it hard to adjust to this level of football ?
Adam Barrett 8
Pumped up against old team and scored. But he needs to improve heading distribution. Otherwise he looked solid.
Mark Gower 6
Jinxing runs going nowhere, a man who plays well when confident … just not now …
Mark Bentley 9
Surely the next captain,he gave 110 % and didn't stop trying.
Kevin Maher 7
Same old Kev. He does nothing flash but controls well. I just wish he had a bit more authority in his voice
Lawrie Dudfield 6
He ran and ran but lacks confidence when presented with an opportunity.
Drewe Broughton 7
If only his attitude matched his skill! However he gave all as always.
Carl Pettefer 6
Like Gower tried to go forward and was thwarted by a good Bristol defence.
Tes Bramble 6
Only 20 minutes given, he looked strong but yet again final touch poor.

What the fans thought ...

ExiledEssexBoy said "Well, what can you say after that body blow? Are we the worst team in the League? (At least until Chester let in a couple of goals in a few hours.) I don't think so. It was a fine defensive performance except for the now obligatory switch off moment to allow the other team the lead. (That has to stop; NOW!) Bart dominated in goal, fine double save in 2nd half, Barratt and Prior looked solid, won everything in the air, Judd gives the ball back to the opposition too easily at times but this is our best back four. The midfield flatter to deceive at important moments but the work rate was high and we still outplayed Rovers for 70% of the game. And that, my friends, sums up Southends's season so far. We continue to dominate games for 70% but while we put in 50 crosses a match we don't look like scoring while the opposition can break and put in one decent cross, 2-1! Easy for me to say but keep the faith. If the spirit can be maintained, the skill and workrate remains good then the goals, followed by points, will certainly come.

ExiledEssexBoy's MOTM : Adam Barratt. "Another storming performance including a terrific header for the goal. Now he's broken the old boys act he's in to stay. He will make the Rovers fans eat their words by next May!"

Surrey Shrimper said "In my opinion Prior didnt have a good game and was completely out paced by Agogo. Some very good build up play, but as has been the story of our season so far, lacked the killer punch in front of goal. We desperately need a forward who can run at defenders and terrorise them (ala Agogo) but the honesty of the situation is we don't. This saddens me because I am a big fan of both Lawrie Dudfield and Drewe Broughton. What the f**k was going on with Tes and him being off the pitch during the vital five minutes when Hunt scored their second. Questions need to be asked about his half arsed mental approach to things, he needs to get a grip! It was a good laugh though, good pasties and I thoroughly enjoyed my evening in Bristol!

Surrey Shrimper's MOTM : Adam Barratt. "He really battled hard and seemed to have a true desire to win - obviously playing against his old team had a lot to with it!

The Artful Shrimper said "For me the worrying thing was again missed chances, once upon a time not so long ago Dudfield with his back to the goal would've spun around a fired...why hesitate and then pass to recieve a secondary cross going where? Drewes unfortunate header was just that to be fair, unlucky, not sure about the ball control and firing a perpendicular ball 30 yards into the night sky! Tezz our other striker went off for a manicure and pedicure and replaced his contact lenses and tape up some bling when they scored a very undeserved winner, though, Agogo is class, he is a striker! Can we bluff our way by saying time and time again, we didn't deserve to lose? If we don't put away our chances, we lose, and that's deserved....

The Artful Shrimper's MOTM : Adam Barret "Thank you! Man of The Match and oh how we jumped around!!!"

What the managers thought ...

STEVE TILSON (SUFC) :
To follow ...

IAN ATKINS (BRFC) :
"We made a great start to the game, played well, and the midfield lads worked their socks off. Southend are a big team and they can cause problems with their height as much as anything. But we won - things can be a lot better but we're getting the wins when we're not performing to our absolute best and credit to the players 'cos that ain't a bad sign!"