There's not a lot of match reports on here - really opinions on Brown - have been done to death - it's all down to the man with the Bentley.
Well today's match. All the geeing up on here and optimism left me feeling that we were in for a surprise today. We all had an inkling that Phil was going to go experienced - but my first surprise was that Southeastern rail were screwing 5% more out of me for the privilege of transporting me from Ashford to Southend. My next surprise was when I read the team sheet -Phil had given a little inkling that there my have been a few positional changes to cover the loss of Lenny, Woody and Nile.
So I saw a back 5, three wingers and a lone Cox, oh and Timlin in midfield. Youth had had its chance - experience was having its day. The slip of lad McLaughlin at 27 being our youngest outfield starter with the usual 7 over 30.
So we had lots of square pegs in round holes and lots of round pegs in square holes and a reversion to a formation that had been tried and failed. The omens now weren't good. Still lets give it a go - it certainly seemed to fool Fleetwood who wanted to be as negative as us. The crowd were not over enthused either - bit like waiting for a funeral.
Well after 45 minutes the stats read Southend 0 shots on target 0 corners Fleetwood 0 shots on target 0 corners.
Demi did deflect one onto the bar though. It was Turner's turn this week to pull a muscle and off he limped to be replaced by Hendrie who was slotted in somewhere between Coker and McLaughlin out on the left flank with Coker playing a very left sided centre back. Player of the month in September Kyprianou didn't get the nod as last week he blasted a clearance into a forward that rebounded to O'Toole and into our goal- the frailties of youth. Highlight for us was when Anton managed to keep his bulk between an attacker and our goal for enough time for a few more to get back. Our engine room of Timlin and Kightly didn't have a lot of oomph. 45 minutes of torture and as exciting as watching paint dry.
Fleetwood weren't much cop either but they were saving themselves for their trip to Leicester on Tuesday. So they only really needed to play for one half.
In the 53rd minute a slight cheer was heard when McLaughlin managed a shot which their keeper had to save. 3 minutes later Paddy Madden came on and a minute later we gave them their first goal - a loose pass from Anton when not under a great deal of pressure gave them possession which we managed to hold off for a couple of passes but they walked it in for 1-0. Fleetwood had scored without really breaking sweat. 5 minutes later they walk through again 2-0 game over.
Why have I really come all this way forking out another £50 to watch this lot . All those promises the players keep making- and don't keep.
With 20 minutes to go we had young Norman joining the fray - it's all right brining him said Phil afterwards because if he make a mistake its unlikely to cost us a goal. What revelation someone who had quick feet, a bit of pace about him and not had his confidence yet eager to please. Well he managed to warm the keepers gloves with one rasping shot and looked really lively -young legs and energy just what we need.
With 4 minutes left we scored could this be the comeback of all time. This is what the BBC website says -
Goal! Southend United 1, Fleetwood Town 2. Michael Kightly (Southend United) right footed shot from very close range to the top left corner.
Don't know what game they were at. Shot for the edge of the box which took a wicked deflection a foot away from Kightly - spun viciously in the air and dropped in behind the keeper who had no chance. Had our luck changed?
Nope Norman could have equalised but didn't quite strike it sweetly enough. It would have been an injustice though if we'd got anything out of the game.
His 20 minute cameo earned him my MoM - it was nice to see some one run with a bit of pace and look like a footballer - at least the trip wasn't completely for nothing.
I thought McLaughlin did OK he had a good tussle with their full back. Cox was isolated as would be expected.
As for Brown and the tactics - come come chum muddled thinking again. Over thinking. Negative crap. He was happy with nil - nil and no shots. Two many tired legs we all get slower as we get older.
At least I'll be a few thousand miles away for the Scunthorpe game.