Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 0-1 Bromley

[Kat_r]

Heres

Lopata didn’t seem himself today, he was playing like when he first came back to the club and was lacking match fitness. He wasn’t commanding the defence, he seemed reluctant to run with the ball.

I thought it must be half time and looked at the half scoreboard to see it was only 25 minutes gone. That first half dragged!

Ref was dire again, what’s the point of having to tell their keeper to stop wasting time for goal kicks repeatedly? Use your card, you got it out enough. He completely lost the game when everyone bundled in!

Gus was massively missed and having Bridge on the right was a mistake from the off. Why it took for them to concede for Maher to change it is just baffling!

The set pieces were dire and even when we got the ball in the box there appeared to be nobody willing to put themselves in a position to poke it in. Something Murphy (given more than 10 minutes) or Hyde would do.

I really don’t understand why we’ve gone on this dip after being such a force. Is it the injuries, the **** off field or something else?

We need to nip this in the bud. Let’s face it we can moan all we like about embargo. It doesn’t appear to be changing. This is the same group of players who went on a great unbeaten run and a rock solid defence. A rocket needs to be shoved up a few arses and some changes need to be made.

i think we need to be realistic. There’s a reason these players are playing in this league. They aren’t going to be ‘on it’ every match. If they were they’d be in the higher leagues.

 

[Kat_r]

imho I don't think we're ready (yet) for a play-off place.

Agreed but never say never.

 

[* ORM *]

Positives - great to be back at the Hall after so long, despite the fact it’s falling apart it is still our home and it still sends a shiver down my spine.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, that’s the end of the positives!

It wasn’t actually as bad as all that but there’s a big divide between the haves and the have nots. I can’t base it all on one performance but there are clubs in this division that are scoring goals for fun and it took us 30 minutes to create a meaningful opportunity then a goal for us to up the tempo.

I think Bromley did a Southend on us, by which I mean they gave us no time to settle and until they went a goal up were the more industrious of the two teams. I think you can have Ralph and Bridge in the same line up but in a different formation.

We need a fit Murphy but we don’t need to rush him back. Powell for Wreh in the meantime.

I don’t think we’re too far off but we are nowhere near the T standard of the top 3. Play offs are obviously still possible but I think top half is more likely. Not losing players in January is crucial to any chances we might have. This is what I fear most.

 

[OldBlueLady]

First half has to be one of the worst halves I've seen in recent times, too many looked unfit and some as if they couldn't be bothered. The loss of Gus was a huge blow and I didn't understand why we didn't either go to a flat back 4 or put Demi in there - surely that was the most obvious thing to do? Moving Bridge across did not work.

I've always liked Ralph but something is not right in that defensive line up and the loss of form definitely seems to coincide with him coming back in so maybe going back to how we were with Ralph dropping to the bench is something to consider. Kensdale is not a right sided midfielder. Blondy looked a liability at times again. Can anyone please update me on the situation with Arnold and Collin as not seen anything for a while?

Defensively, they all seemed off the game, Husin had an excellent game against Boring Wood the other night but was practically invisible for an hour yesterday. Fonguck looked very leggy, so it left Cav to do all the work again. We desperately need to get nasty though, we're letting teams walk all over us, foul us, cheat, con the ref and do nothing. Oh for a Timlin! That young back of theirs should have been read his fortune early on - we stick Callum on against him and suddenly see exactly how he should have been exposed! Was a red card for me too, I know he wasn't quite last man, but it was practically a choke slam!

Wreh was probably the most out of sorts, he looked as if he'd put weight on and was immobile and ineffective. He had no comprehension of how to play off Cardwell. For me, Powell has to start next game. Good to see Murphy get a bit of game time, roughing up opposition defenders has to start with him and Cards back.

Bromley were a really frustrating team to play, they time wasted, fell down at the slightest opportunity, fouled plenty and got away with it, and escalated it all when they realised they were getting away with it. The officials were awful. Keeper should have been booked for time wasting.

Poor day at the office, I hope Kev has them back in today and gives them a roasting!

Blondy - 5
Bridge - 6
Hobson - 6
Lopata - 6
Kensdale - 5
Ralph - 5
Miley - 7, MOTM
Husin - 5
Fonguck - 5
Wreh - 5
Cardwell - 6

Subs:
Powell for Wreh - 7
Murphy for Fonguck - N/A

 

[Grayson]

How many of those claiming the performance is linked to wage issues were there on Tuesday night? I suspect none. The two performances this past week were contrasting.

Borehamwood and Bromley are two similar sides in approach and style. Teams like us have to score the first goal against them because we are not free scoring. On Tuesday we did and asserted our dominance. Yesterday we were poor, didn't and never looked like getting in once the antics began.

The most frustrating thing is we don't seem to learn against sides like these.

 

[rigsby]

So far people seem to want to blame Ralph, Blondy and Cardwell for our dull, never tested their keeper performance.

As per usual Fonguk, then Wreh, Husian and Bridge at right back are the reasons we barely mustered a shot before 70mins.

Well done to Bromley. They immediately spotted our weak area and played everything out to the East Greens in the first 30. Unlike us they could take a set piece. Watch their goal, the guy strikes the free kick with intent. Plus they were alive and moved it quick with a further good pass and a player between the sticks etc. When Cardwell made the same header in the first half we were all asleep. Most of us knew he would win that header when we see the team sheet.....Sadly not the boys in pink.

Like other teams in their position we just cant play when we are a goal down. They look to buy kicks and we nudge them just enough to give the ref the opportunity. The made to deliberate goal chance stopping handballs and three or 4 rugby tackles and the usual endless list of rewarded game spoiling tactics.....A couple of late yellows are small price to pay. Then again with 4 or 5 different home players working their way through the endless free kicks. Why wouldn't you cheat. If our management has still not sorted it we deserve it.

The worst bit was the last 10. Every time we are chasing a game we get worse after 85mins. We look like the team defending a 1-0. Over passing then hoofing into touch.

Still thats our season so far go 1-0 up we look top 5. Go 1-0 down we look bottom 5.

 

[Barling Magna]

Rigsby has nailed it. It's all very well criticising Bromley for their gamesmanship but once the officials prove they can't spot it (or allow it) why wouldn't they escalate it? It's a depressing way to play the beautiful game but if that's what is needed to get back to the EFL then let's up our gamesmanship game please.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

One other point that @Boreham Blue spotted at the game, for the free kick that led to the goal, Bridge seems to wander around aimlessly on the edge of the box, a Bromley player stood unmarked in the place our right wing back should have been and headed it back across and it was this that led to the goal. Will look for this again on the highlights but it emphasises that Bridge should not have been playing there - can’t see Demi leaving his man alone like that.

 

[* ORM *]

Rigsby has nailed it. It's all very well criticising Bromley for their gamesmanship but once the officials prove they can't spot it (or allow it) why wouldn't they escalate it? It's a depressing way to play the beautiful game but if that's what is needed to get back to the EFL then let's up our gamesmanship game please.

And on the flip side of that when their number 10 was substituted he walked to his closest side, the West, and walked around the pitch. I’ve seen much worse than we saw yesterday and if I’m honest 1-0 up away from home I think this is the way of football these days. The game we grew up with has gone I’m afraid.

 

[onceknownasrab]

Is it worth commenting on individuals? With the fantastic effort of non-playing staff to turn up, many unpaid on time, it was insulting to see a team not bother to turn up. Disgrace.
Maher needs to stop wedging in players when things were fine and he needs to select better and put them in their best position. Don't fix what ain't broke.

As for the 'gamesmanship' I hope those embarrassing players look round one day and see they have killed our game. Fans in their numbers turned out, in the cold, at an expensive time of year and all we saw was disgusting cheats. All teams do it. Including us, but yesterday was a new level. They do not deserve to be supported

 

[rigsby]

Rigsby has nailed it. It's all very well criticising Bromley for their gamesmanship but once the officials prove they can't spot it (or allow it) why wouldn't they escalate it? It's a depressing way to play the beautiful game but if that's what is needed to get back to the EFL then let's up our gamesmanship game please.

The best way to punish teams that cheat is make full use of the resulting free kick.....We fail miserably in that area. Our game plan, our technique and desire to get on the end of it are just not promotion standard.

Our corners and throws are no better. Yes in the past we have lacked the height or threat to justify launching everything in the box. Not anymore and certainly not when your a goal down in a game going no where that is clearly going to fizzle out 0-1

 

[in the know]

Believe the GSM appendics problem was obviously out of the blue and required urgent hospital attention. Unfortunately JD had his quarterly knee injection in the lead up to xmas and isnt supposed to train on it for around 5 days after, but agreed at very late notice to be on the bench when GSMs problem arose. Think half expected he may have to go on, but knowing it would be a risk. Just unfortunate timing that couldnt be foreseen. Will be good to go and fully fit if needed for the next one, only lacking 90 minsmatch time fitness.
Think Steeeeve is likely to still be around 2 mths off playing at a minimum, maybe a month plus before resuming any proper activity as long as things improve.
Wasnt there yesterday so cant comment on the game, but sounds chalk and cheese from what i saw last Tuesday in the cup game.
As good as Ralph is and Bridge is, it may come down to which results in the more positive team performance. Like others, Im in favour of trying to keep the structure and shape we had rather than shuffling people around to shoehorn players in. Hopefully without last minute distruptions for Kev the next game can be better planned.

 

[shrimperjon]

Arrived at the ground full of hope after Tuesday nights impressive performance again Boreham Wood. Thought we had the side back that won’t 12 unbeaten. Instead we had the side back that lost to Aldershot and Gateshead.

Everything was flat today. Although 6500 the ground sounded flat, barely anything from W block and it was no better in the pitch. Despite how bad it was worse we dominated large parts of the second half and should have probably got at least a draw. On another day Cardwell could have had a hat trick

Bridge played out of position and only looked threatening once he switched back over to the left side. The back three with Blondy liked nervous, however first half In particular he made a few decent saves

Bromley nothing special but then they didn’t need to be. Yet again a team comes to RH and play act, cheat, dive fake injury and the ref falls for it. The RB should have seen red on two occasions after being booked but the ref bottles it.

A lack of a cutting edge yet again came back to haunt us. Set pieces even by the reliable Miley we’re woeful and we had three free kicks in the edge of the area taken by three different players yet never tested the keeper once

That’s now 3 defeats and a draw in last four league games. If I’m right although I’m the play offs the team in 14th are one win away from catching us. Apart form the top two or three the rest are pretty much the same.

Heard someone say that that guy who is interested in buying the club was on the pitch with John still today. Didn’t see it myself but that’s interesting. Also hearing that Ron must pay up in a few weeks, no second or third chances it’s now or never. Is it around £650k he needs to pay. Based on not being able to pay the staff who let’s face it don’t earn mega bucks their wages how does he pay that sort of fee? Worrying times over the next few weeks for sure and after that performance and inconsistency (after Tuesdays performance) issues on the pitch as well

 

[OldBlueLady]

Rigsby has nailed it. It's all very well criticising Bromley for their gamesmanship but once the officials prove they can't spot it (or allow it) why wouldn't they escalate it? It's a depressing way to play the beautiful game but if that's what is needed to get back to the EFL then let's up our gamesmanship game please.

Think I said it too before Rigsby!

 

[OldBlueLady]

Believe the GSM appendics problem was obviously out of the blue and required urgent hospital attention. Unfortunately JD had his quarterly knee injection in the lead up to xmas and isnt supposed to train on it for around 5 days after, but agreed at very late notice to be on the bench when GSMs problem arose. Think half expected he may have to go on, but knowing it would be a risk. Just unfortunate timing that couldnt be foreseen. Will be good to go and fully fit if needed for the next one, only lacking 90 minsmatch time fitness.
Think Steeeeve is likely to still be around 2 mths off playing at a minimum, maybe a month plus before resuming any proper activity as long as things improve.
Wasnt there yesterday so cant comment on the game, but sounds chalk and cheese from what i saw last Tuesday in the cup game.
As good as Ralph is and Bridge is, it may come down to which results in the more positive team performance. Like others, Im in favour of trying to keep the structure and shape we had rather than shuffling people around to shoehorn players in. Hopefully without last minute distruptions for Kev the next game can be better planned.

Let's hope that Demi may be available for the return game on NYD then, we needed someone with some experience at that side.

 

[rigsby]

Think I said it too before Rigsby!

Only because I take ages to type.

 

[Grayson]

Bromley nothing special but then they didn’t need to be. Yet again a team comes to RH and play act, cheat, dive fake injury and the ref falls for it. The RB should have seen red on two occasions after being booked but the ref bottles it

Crowd were so poor at getting on the ref. The team are bad at it too.

The right back handled twice on the edge of our box whilst on a yellow card. Nobody made a big deal of it on either occasion. Everyone should have been all over that. In years pre-freefall the East stand would have been demanding the second yellow card.

On some games, apathy permeates. Sadly for us it seems to be when the opposition play like Borehamwood and Bromley do. Not good.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Crowd were so poor at getting on the ref. The team are bad at it too.

Another reason for getting Demi back - he’s pretty good at giving advice to refs (sometimes a bit too much!)

Thanks to @in the know for the explanation why he didn’t play yesterday, that makes sense now.

 

[in the know]

Another reason for getting Demi back - he’s pretty good at giving advice to refs (sometimes a bit too much!)

Thanks to @in the know for the explanation why he didn’t play yesterday, that makes sense now.

Plus... Its up to Kev how he wants to line up next game, and if he wants Ollie, Ralph and Bridgy in, it obviously limits the options at the back. But JD will be available and fit. Think its a good point you make about getting in the refs ear. He will definitely do that and although respectfully some will argue he overdoes it at times , it inspires others around him to join in and get decisions and the crowd too!.

 

[Maroon Blue]

After Tuesday night, it was soo disappointing to be the team that played like Boreham Wood did on Tuesday, yesterday. Dull and insipid, no desire to win the game, coasted until Bromley scored and then did not have the quality or nous to get an equaliser. Really frustrating with our inconsistency and the top 5 including Barnet all won and are pulling well clear.

Blondey 6
Hobson 6
Lopata 6
Kensdale 6
Bridge 6.5 (when moved to the left, 5 before)
Husin 5
Miley 6.5 MOTM
Fonguck 5
Ralph 6
Wreh 5
Cardwell 6

Powell 5.5
Murphy 5

As everyone has stated Bridge does not work on the right. Felt sorry for Kensdale having to cover there but he did look to get forward and make the best of it. No real stand outs , no really poor performances but just so uninspired and lacking in energy. We was just outworked by an average mid table team who even gave there star striker Cheek a rest. Expect a reaction Sunday in the reverse fixture and a similar close game. For which we are more than capable of being on the right side of the score line IF we apply ourselves. UTB