The game on Sunday

[new bloke]

Marks out of ten 4

Not a very good day in the Shrimperzone history, to me we looked like we had gone back 4or5 games when we did well to hold on with the skin of our teeth and then do the famous Shrimperzone last 20 min collapse.
The score line was not important is was the way we played that hurt, all the things we do in training and the things we spoke about before the start of the game just went out of the window if we are hoping to do well next season then we have a long way to go,the two main things that I noticed from the sideline on Sunday( apart from the fitness) was we seemed to have plent of forwards when we attacked but only a few defenders when they attacked it looked like we could not be arsed to chase back or unable to chase back due to fitness and the 2nd thing that stood out was the lack of talking apart from one or two of the older members of the team, we have to start talking to each other on the pitch if we can't do this then it doesn't matter how good we are or we think we are we will not get anywhere.
On a positive note we had another run out together everyone had at least 15mins, a big wake up call for me to see how much more hard work we have to do to get things right and a game on Sunday to try and put some of these things right.
There is no magic wand guys the only thing that is going to get us playing well is alot of f**king hard work from everybody.
Thanks to Jack for reffing the first half and to Hilary for getting freezing cold with not a great deal to do.
The six o'clock alarm has gone boys its time to wake up,,

[* ORM *]

Just a few points to add on to Uncle's.

One of the main reasons I set up Shrimperzone FC is because I'm getting on a bit but wanted to keep my hand in and give something back to the game. Refereeing doesn't interest me at the moment, but that may change. Neither does running a kiddies team (it isn't the kids that need educating it's their parents).

Setting up Shrimperzone FC brings together young and old like-minded and, virtually to a man, nutty Southend fans. A massive amount of hard work goes on behind the scenes through the Committee and, at the work face, through the efforts of Uncle and others at training.

We've now been running for nine months, we are joining a league in 5-6 months. We have a significant amount of money in the bank already, virtually all of which will be spent on next season's pitch.

Now is the time to start standing up and being counted. I didn't have one of my better games yesterday and I'm NOT a captain. But when I put on a pair of boots I run my nuts off for 90 minutes. As long as I can sit in an armchair and say that on a Sunday afternoon I'm happy. Some people in this team are under half my age (and a third of Colins http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ) and are putting in about half the effort.

Football is a TEAM game. We're never going to get 11 on the field all buzzing at the same time but half that number would be nice. You are not going to get any enjoyment out of next season being stuck at the bottom of the table. I'm convinced we are not that bad but we need to show much more self belief and effort if we are to do ourselves justice.

Other positives from yesterday.

Toddy - Still hesitant a couple of times but getting much better at this. Other than that pulled off some great saves.

Uncle - A solid 45 minute run out showing there is still plenty of life in the old git.

Alexis - Showed us all he has aggression. Channelled into the game in the right way together with a few more Steak n Chip suppers and we have our very own Marky Gower.

[steveh1510]

Unlucky boys, lets just make sure we make up for it this week, its good to have a chance to rectify this so soon afterwards, lets go out and give this lot a spanking on Sunday.

And yes. I'm available this week http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[The General]

Its all very dissapointing at the moment. A whole lot of effort has gone on behind the scenes and to be frank, we're getting no rewards at all and we aren't moving forward as a club. By the sounds of it, yesterday was poor. Its up to everyone to get THEMSELVES fit and obviously once mid-week training starts this should help with passing, movement, finishing and talking as its all a lot tighter and needs a good touch with good comm. skills. Im not sure who did and didnt play but i think that myself, Snowy, Steve, Barry and Twinkle weren't playing and to be honest here ... nearly all of them would get into my starting line-up. We have a good nucleus of players, and once people like Ruud join, we'll keep on improving. We need success though and as we're 6 months away from the new season this is the last push. We'll go nowhere with the team's current ability/fitness etc...

Lets WANT to make this happen ... otherwise there really is no point.

Kev

[carter_true_blue]

It takes time to settle as a team and people not turning up doesn't really help.

lack of matches doesn't really help either.

[steveh1510]

Quote[/b] (carter_true_blue @ Mar. 08 2004,11:13)]people not turning up doesn't really help.
Ooh, bitchy! http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif Miaow!

[carter_true_blue]

Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Mar. 08 2004,11:16)]
Quote[/b] (carter_true_blue @ Mar. 08 2004,11:13)]people not turning up doesn't really help.
Ooh, bitchy! *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif *Miaow!
http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif yep i am hehe but i want this team to do well the way its going we won't do well.

If we don't get in a league im sure alot of people will leave.

[steveh1510]

Quote[/b] (carter_true_blue @ Mar. 08 2004,11:19)]
Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Mar. 08 2004,11:16)]
Quote[/b] (carter_true_blue @ Mar. 08 2004,11:13)]people not turning up doesn't really help.
Ooh, bitchy! *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif *Miaow!
http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif yep i am hehe but i want this team to do well the way its going we won't do well.
Thats far too negative for my liking, it'll come. We were missing some key players yesterday, and a match every 6 weeks or so isn't helping. We have an immediate chance to rectify yesterday this sunday, lets make sure we do it. We've got the makings of a very good side, certainly better than some in the Sceptre division 5 last year (including the one I played for) we just need to be fitter and playing more often.

[The General]

Quote[/b] (carter_true_blue @ Mar. 08 2004,11:19)]
Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Mar. 08 2004,11:16)]
Quote[/b] (carter_true_blue @ Mar. 08 2004,11:13)]people not turning up doesn't really help.
Ooh, bitchy! *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif *Miaow!
http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif yep i am hehe but i want this team to do well the way its going we won't do well.

If we don't get in a league im sure alot of people will leave.
We will be in the league for next season. I can guarantee that.

Quite annoying for me as i haven't been needed but just recently i'm wanted again and the fixtures are starting to flood in. I could be around this Sunday as because its the Shoebury derby everyone wants to play, but seeing as i turned up last week and started, i will be starting this Sunday!!

Kev

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[carter_true_blue]

I am confident we will get in the league and do well but theres always that negative side to it all.

From now till we get in the league we need at least 20 freindly's least.

[The General]

Quote[/b] (carter_true_blue @ Mar. 08 2004,11:34)]I am confident we will get in the league and do well but theres always that negative side to it all.

From now till we get in the league we need at least 20 freindly's least.
20 is a bit optimistic. I'd be happy with 10 (seeing as we wont have any games Late May/June/July) and a few tournements!!

Im sure we can organise another 'friendly' with Dan's mob soon as well, so we can see how each team is progressing seeing as we're are entering the same league next year.

Kev

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Bob Cratchitt]

As there are 27 weeks left til the league starts, expecting friendlies for 20 of them will be a bit harsh.

Also who do you suggest our opponents be?? It is not a case we are not trying to get friendlies but we need teams to agree to play us. These teams do have leagues/cups to play and not just us. So if we hit 1 a month we should consider that good. http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[Davros]

I got so P*ssed off in the last ten mintues yesterday.
That team were making a mockery of us.
i never want to feel like that again, especially against a team like that.
We seriously need to buck our ideas up. I feel the main problem was the shape. In the first half we were a little loose, but everyone struck to there positions.
As soon as we conceded a copule of goals shape and disapline almost disapered, and along with that, our chance of a comeback.
I wasnt all that pleased with my performance in a footballing sence, but personally i think i gave all i could, and was disapointed with the outcome.

If we can pull together as a team, and not get so dispondent everytime we concede a goal, we will be stronger people induvidually, and as a team. The problem is we've got stuck into a rut of conceding one goal, and then more.

We need the attitude of when the other team scores, forget it, its nil-nil again, were playin for the win, not fighting for a draw.

next week should be a good match for us, hopefully givng us a much needed morale boost, im as confident as anyone that we can suceed, we just need to focus, as a team, and as induviduals.

On a positive note i would comment on good performances from Mr B, Uncle and Tony yesterday, as well as seeing some promise from Simon.

Dave

[* ORM *]

Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Mar. 08 2004,11:26)]We were missing some key players yesterday
My definition of a "key" player may not be the same as some of yours. The only way I can explain this is that, given the choice, I'd rather have a Robbie Savage in my team than a Thierry Henry.

When we join league there will be some weeks when we are missing "key" players.

With well over 20 players in the squad we should be in a position where "key" players are not missed as badly as they were yesterday.

The only difference between the so called "key" players that were not available yesterday and some of those playing yesterday would have been work rate. I don't think Barry, Snowy, Andee and Shagster would have been looking around for others to do the work.

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh because that paints too simple a picture. But the reality is that unless we all accept that there is still a massive amount of work to be done we're going no-where.

[Vange Shrimper]

I dont think that some of the decisions helped us by the 2 refs either. But im not making that up as an excuse.

Is there any chance that we can get a neutral ref and some linesmen for the next load of friendlies cos some of the decisions y'day really did take the ****?

[Shagster69]

The worse thing we can do is let our heads drop! It happened in the game and looks like it's happening on here. What we have got is an opportunity next week to go out there and battle!

[steveh1510]

Quote[/b] (* ORM * @ Mar. 08 2004,12:30)]
Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Mar. 08 2004,11:26)]We were missing some key players yesterday
My definition of a "key" player may not be the same as some of yours. The only way I can explain this is that, given the choice, I'd rather have a Robbie Savage in my team than a Thierry Henry.

When we join league there will be some weeks when we are missing "key" players.

With well over 20 players in the squad we should be in a position where "key" players are not missed as badly as they were yesterday.

The only difference between the so called "key" players that were not available yesterday and some of those playing yesterday would have been work rate. I don't think Barry, Snowy, Andee and Shagster would have been looking around for others to do the work.

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh because that paints too simple a picture. But the reality is that unless we all accept that there is still a massive amount of work to be done we're going no-where.
Granted, which is why i termed it 'key' players and not 'best' players, as IMO there are no best players as its a team game.

All I meant was we were missing various players all who could have added something to the team, whether it be ability, experience, or even just a loud voice to gee everyone up and get heads back up when the goals started going in.

[MrB]

First time I'd played centre back in my life but it certainly gives you a much better view of the game than playing on the wing!

Our fundamental problem this week was the lack of mobility in our midfield. This is in no way a criticism of the abilities of those that played there but a lot of the oppositions play was based around quick passing and fast running (pace was their best feature, if anything they overused the skill they had). At times we had no answer to all four of their midfielders bursting forward and our midfield struggling to get back to support the defence, some of this is down to fitness but there also seems to be a lack of pace in the team. Obviously pace will increase with fitness and once we're in the league not all teams will be as quick as those kids were.

However, we've got a long way to go before we can even consider ourselves ready to go into a league. Some players need to think long and hard about what they can do to improve themselves. One training session or match a week will only sustain a certain level of fitness. Some of us started 9 months ago with virtually no fitness whatsoever and are still upping our levels with the training we're doing now. Unfortunately, as I'm sure Tony will agree, some teams either a) have much stricter fitness regimes or b) are naturally fit from playing week in, week out for years. If people are serious about making an impact in the league next season then a lot of hard work needs to be done individually to ensure we're not found wanting when it comes to defending a lead in the last 10 minutes of a league game. A team of 11 fit average footballers will fare much better in Sceptre 5 than a team of skillful players who're not willing to put the effort in.

Let's hope we can put things right next week, am disappointed I won't be there.

[* ORM *]

Quote[/b] (MrB @ Mar. 08 2004,17:13)]Unfortunately, as I'm sure Tony will agree, some teams either a) have much stricter fitness regimes or b) are naturally fit from playing week in, week out for years. *
I doubt if many teams at Sceptre 5 level will have a stricter fitness regime than the one we are trying to put in place. Obviously mid-week training in addition to Sunday morning will make a big difference.

Personally I think we're starting to get there on the fitness issues. We no longer suffer with people dropping like flies five minutes into the second half which we did in the earlier friendlies.

The second point is much more relevant. I am not a role model for anybody in this respect. I'm overweight and I smoke. But I'm still able to do myself justice over 90 minutes on a Sunday morning, playing in the back four.

Moving myself into midfield for the last 15 minutes or so seemed like a good idea at the time and certainly enabled me to speak to the midfield and forwards to try to get them into the game. I still have the brains of a midfielder but 75 minutes into a match I definitely don't have the legs of one !

There is no doubt one weakness we have is that you can train as much as you like but there is no substitute for playing matches together week in week out to improves everyones knowledge of each others strengths, and our own ability to play better football as a team will benefit. Unfortunately there is not a great deal I can do about that. We are at the mercy of the availability of other teams.

[Durera]

<span style='font-family:comic sans ms'>The thing that the other side managed to do, more than anything else, was disrupt us - and we seemingly let them.

For the first 15-20 minutes, whilst still the poorer side, we were coping, and looking dangerous when we got the ball up to Dan or Dave. Leeboy and I were working well together, despite not being afforded any extra cover. We forced them to make changes, as we&#39;d stifled the play of two of the boys their left.

When those changes were made we became a shambles - Lee and I constantly had 4 of &#39;em around us - and I&#39;m not fit enough yet (I will be) to keep running up and down - there was no extra cover up front other than Alexis, nothing for Lee and I at the back. The midfield of Big Al, Col, and I suffered due to our lack of pace (which will get better) - Alexis was OK (not that I could see much of him from my place on the pitch to be honest), he&#39;s fit enough - but only one runner in the midfield, with 3 of us suffering didn&#39;t help any.

Then Alexis had his to-do with their number 15 (w***er), so he and I swapped sides. We coped OK in the dying seconds of the first half, but again I suppose we&#39;d let the other team disrupt us.

So the second half, to start with we came out and took the advantage - we were looking good for the first 10-15 minutes. We still struggled with their pace - but were managing OK. The second goal went in, and heads started to drop - there was practically no communication (I was with Naps at this point, and he was the only one I heard DURING PLAY), at this point I was being pushed back further - almost as a LWB as Naps was being forced to help out in the middle of defence more. I took the urge to push forward from Tony on one particualr occassion - Naps was then left on his own at the back with four of the f**kers to deal with - and amazingly (and luckily for us) he did.

Anybody else notice that when I went off, the bloke that had been subbed-off came back on and had a hand in all three goals? Not because I was playing tidy football (hard for me at the best of times, with a stinking cold even harder), but because we&#39;d managed a little disruption of our own.

As for fitness, I hold my hands up - the mind was willing but the body was not. I&#39;ve only been training for 2 months, give me a little longer and I&#39;ll actually be able to run.

Weeknight training will help enormously.
Having everyone attending regularly will help enormously.
Us fat *******s losing weight will help enormously.

Bring on the Blues 2&#39;s or whoever they are this Sunday - we gotta make them pay for the embarrasment we suffered from our last game.</span>