Post-Match Thread and Ratings Stockport County 5-0 Southend United

[Texas Eslan]

Any ideas on here why the tempo of our play has changed so much? When we were on our winning run we pressed high and had three forwards running off the ball creating space. Now they seem to be jogging around at best creating very little and the midfield look like they’ve had lead weights attached to their legs.

 

[Ted]

I predicted a 5-0 loss to my betting friends. Unfortunately no one cashed in .

It would be over dramatic to call this embarrassing. Our season is over. Had a lovely day out in Manchester.

See you again next season chaps.

 

[CM2 Blue]

It is very easy to overreact when we do well and assume we are perhaps better than we are and, equally, to overreact when things do not go as well as we had hoped. Nonetheless, today’s was a disappointingly poor performance.

Our management team have achieved their first objective which is to keep us in the NL and avoid a third successive relegation. They did it by making adjustments to our playing staff and style without the benefit of overseeing a pre-season or setting up the personnel and team shape they might wish. I would be very surprised if they had not identified who will stay and who will go- and I think the numbers going may be significant because it is plain that most of our squad are average for this level and not what we will need to challenge next season. Our management team, though, have the blend of experience and talent to take us forward and be successful.

I am confident that we will be more competitive next season but do not necessarily expect more than play-offs given the experiences of other sides relegated from the FL2. My core for next season’s first team would comprise Arnold, Ralph, Husin, Dolby, Cardwell, Bridge and with Powell, Davies and Kensdale yet to prove themselves. In essence we need to bring in the defensive and midfield core of a team I think. Others, as yet untried, surely must include Wood who seems as though he may be a real talent for the future.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United suffered a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of table-topping Stockport County this afternoon.

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[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher pointed at the bigger picture following his side’s 5-0 defeat at Stockport County.

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[wiggy]

Maher needs outing NOW......he refuses to set up attacking even when there is nothing on it.
To keep playing the two oldies and the very overrated Neal is unforgiveable.
9 new players required and Currie as no.1 as no way will Maher win a League with his tactics!

 

[Chrisb]

Whole back line shouldn’t have the shirt again.

It’s okay though, remember, Stan can call up any club in Europe and have the pick of the youngsters on loan at the drop of a hat. That’s going well isn’t it.

How on earth can Stan be blamed for every bad performance or everything else that goes wrong within our club ? I dread to think where we would be without his involvement when we were at our truly lowest ebb - we are lucky he stepped in when he did. Years of decline won't be reversed in the space of a few months - we are safe from relegation and have a management team in place who care for our Club. We had neither of those things just a while back.

 

[Userorange]

I think Kev has done wonders with what he inherited. I think the combination of the coaching teams’ work and the introduction of the Sheffield lads set us off on a confidence building run that took us to an amazing place in no time at all.

The lads left, defeats started to come thick and fast. But we’re safe. I believe Kev & Co have absolutely earned the right to see out the season, recruit wisely and take us into next season.

As I said, I think Maher is an excellent coach at this, and probably, a higher level. I need convincing about the management skills. At times over the last month we seem to be falling short in motivation, attitude and commitment. I appreciate, Stockport are an excellent side but was it necessary to capitulate without any sort of reaction.

Kev. I believe in you, but please be more positive now with nothing to lose (it may rub off on the players) and get nasty if you have to.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Any ideas on here why the tempo of our play has changed so much? When we were on our winning run we pressed high and had three forwards running off the ball creating space. Now they seem to be jogging around at best creating very little and the midfield look like they’ve had lead weights attached to their legs.

Yep. Cardwell is not match fit, and Dennis has been carrying an ankle and a knee injury. So both playing on about 70% today.

 

[Fairport]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher pointed at the bigger picture following his side’s 5-0 defeat at Stockport County.

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Just read Kevin's response to that defeat, I would have thought he would have been angrier and more critical after that awful display. I hope he is not going to be a soft touch, many of those players should be sent packing at the end of the season.

 

[bazzashrimper]

Awful the bit I saw. Thankfully I was at home as I couldn’t stomach the whole mess. I feel sorry for the travelling fans.

Too many players just not good enough to compete at the top of this league.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Confidence plays a bigger part of the calibre of players we have, than some realise. During the unbeaten run, after the home games, most on a Tues evening, when the atmosphere is always better than on a Saturday, the team lapped up the support after the final whistle.
Bet they cant wait to get off the pitch now!.
We have 5 home games left, 4 of which are afternoon ko's. Crowds will be lower than recently, & the atmosphere will be flatter?.
But look at teams like Solihull Moor, challenging for play offs, yet play in front of home crowds of around 1,000, with virtually no away support either?.
That is an example of what we need to replicate re team spirit, & hopefully after a hard summers recruitment by the management, we will start showing the dividends of that next season?.

 

[Maroon Blue]

Did not expect anything today, but jeez that was awful. Devoid of anything??? Very worrying

 

[annie1954]

Well, what an absolute shambles that was.
The majority looked like they were walking through treacle. Completely outplayed, out fought and out muscled.
The two loanees were dreadful and looked like they hadn't set foot on a football pitch before.
Players were hiding out there which is never a good sign.
If there was ever a game not to play 433 it was today. We were consequently without the ball for long periods and had no answer (or energy) and couldn't cope.

I think today has finally shown that it's time to let the likes of Demi and Atkinson go. We need to build for the future now and start afresh in the summer.
I'm also beginning to wonder whether Jack Bridge will be here next year. Maher's preference to bring on Wood and Powell was telling.
I also wouldn't be keeping Clifford next year. He has gone backwards in recent weeks and in my view doesn't have the hunger to succeed at this level. His delivery was dreadful all afternoon and he offered nothing offensively.
Certainly Kev must shoulder some of the blame today. His team shape was wrong and once again his substitutions were reactive rather than proactive. We were were too predictable in the first half and needed to change it up at half time.
I doubted Kev as a player on many occasions during his playing days before he finally proved me wrong and came good. I'm hoping that the slight doubts that are beginning to creep in that he has what it takes to lead us to promotion next season will again be proved wrong.
I think the one thing we need to remember about Kev is that he has tremendous resilience and character. He went through 3 or 4 terrible seasons with us as a player when he initially joined us before somehow turning things around. Here's hoping he can do the same as a manager.

I agree with you but Many on here will shot you down for saying Demi must go , sorry to say he’s had his day

 

[shrimperjon]

On way home. Firstly well done to the 371 that travelled. We showed the league how good our away support is, never stopped singing from start to finish even at 5-0 down.

As for the game, thought we would lose but the manner of the defeat was alarming. Too many players on the beach and not up for the fight. Defensively we were a shambles, Clark, JD, Gubbins and Clifford as a collective awful. No blame attached to Colin who had very little cover in front of him. Not one goal I can say was decent as they didn’t need to do much to score them. School boy defending at best.

Midfield overrun, Neal a shadow of the player from a few weeks ago and Atkinson back to the player we saw under Brown. Husin certainly not at his best but had little around him to help

Upfront Dalby man handled out the game, needs to be stronger, Cardwell although not 100% fit was our best player and at least put a shift in. Dennis lazy and disinterested

Friday would like to see Powell, Bridge and wood at least get a run in the side as can’t do any worse. Don’t want to finish the season with a whimper after such a good middle part of the season and that good run.

What is for certain, Stockport were head and shoulders better than us all over the pitch and showed the levels we need to get to. For that to happen Stan and Co need a serious recruitment drive in the summer as not many of this current side are good enough. Maybe 6 or 7 and that’s it

 

[Jay_SUFC]

Confidence plays a bigger part of the calibre of players we have, than some realise. During the unbeaten run, after the home games, most on a Tues evening, when the atmosphere is always better than on a Saturday, the team lapped up the support after the final whistle.
Bet they cant wait to get off the pitch now!.
We have 5 home games left, 4 of which are afternoon ko's. Crowds will be lower than recently, & the atmosphere will be flatter?.
But look at teams like Solihull Moor, challenging for play offs, yet play in front of home crowds of around 1,000, with virtually no away support either?.
That is an example of what we need to replicate re team spirit, & hopefully after a hard summers recruitment by the management, we will start showing the dividends of that next season?.

Sorry, it shouldn't matter if you are playing in front of 1 fan, or 100,000 - there is no excuse for that lack of effort.

Don't start blaming the crowd!!

 

[Dutch Branch]

We are all totally hacked off with what’s going on, that goes without saying but deep down we all know we are very lucky not to be in that bottom 3 right now had changes not been made to the management set up but we can’t keep thanking KM for keeping us up because unless things change drastically in the pre season, I guarantee we will be having the exact same conversations next season.

However, what’s really bothering everyone is how we’ve descended into a team that looks like it’s who ever turns up in the car park gets a game.

We’ve fallen apart at the seams and we could play the most attacking formation ever but unless we learn how to defend we are as they say ****ing into the wind.

I’m convinced that it’s going to take a fare few years for us to climb out of this league as it’s a lot tougher than anyone expected.

Blue army ???

 

[TJC]

Bad performance but season objective achieved. The only question is, is the rot still in there? Clearly it is and I'm sure Kev and co know what needs to be done. I'm confident they will deliver if we have no umbongos etc

 

[IloveShrimp]

Wouldn't it be nice to have an attack minded manager for a change. Our recent past managers have had defensive positions in their playing careers. Only fry and Tilson being attacking midfielders.

 

[Shrimpet steve]

Maher out! Get someone else in for start of next season!! One player going back to Sheffield utd has ruined us! Cant keep using it as an excuse but it's a bloady good one and it shows it was lopata team not mahers