Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 0-2 Maidenhead United

[Mr Browns Ghost]

Brilliant post mate and sadly true

Most of Mine are and have been to be honest , the biggest trouble on this site if I am honest is the over excitement about average results against average teams and average performances which ultimately sets unrealistic expectations .

 

[Spenser]

Imagine Nathan Ferguson and McCoulsky being a class above any of our players.
KAF and Walker at least tried to go forward and take the oppo on. Everyone else looked shot of any confidence. First time I've seen Bonne. I'd have subbed him after 30 mins max.

 

[Shr1mperBlue]

We just don’t look like a professional outfit. Pre-match every other team comes with cones and drills and the players are playing neat one touch keep ball and warming up with intent. The Blues are often strolling around playing keepey uppies or just going through the motions playing long balls around. At half time today, the Maidenhead subs were out doing drills while our subs chatted and laughed holding the ball pointing at the sky or something. Night and day difference. We’re 1-0 down lads, you’re meant to be pi55ed off at the score and chomping at the bit to get on and make a difference.

In game tactics were poor, subs were awful. Wood has to be knocking on the gaffers door tomorrow asking to leave. If he’s going to get zero minutes when we’re 2-0 down to Maidenhead with 20 to go, he won’t get minutes any time ever. When Gubbins went on ahead of him that must have been the final straw.

Player attitude was so poor today. Heads down, no one really wanted the ball, no off ball runs or offering options. That’s on the management team - they have to get the team playing - that’s their job. Standards have dropped and dropped big time. I’m not sure amigos can get that back now.

Bridge. Urgh, he spends more time back pedalling in the direction of the opponents goal than he does running forwards. If not back pedalling then he is standing still at the half way line receiving straight balls. He needs to be moving, making runs forward and not being too scared to receive the ball on his left foot. Infuriating. A lot of the sideways and backwards football happens because Bridge hasn’t got himself into a position where he can receive the ball heading in the right direction. He slows and stops play. Badly need a left footed wing back who can receive the ball on the run.

Big Maher supporter up to now, but it can’t go in much longer. If the team were getting beat but giving absolutely everything for the cause, it wouldn’t be a management issue…… but they look disinterested, unfit, badly trained and like they’d rather be anywhere else.

 

[barton west]

Yes agreed. I think Walker could prove to be a good signing, Wind too maybe longer term. Pepple I think has done okay, I’m bemused why Bonne’s had so much game time recently in comparison. Hillson… if he never plays we won’t know!

It’s fair to say none of the above have hit the ground running though. Then add the Jan signings of Crowther, Morton & Waldron, where the same applies. I think it’s fair to say our recruitment in the last year has been patchy at best, poor at worst. Is John Still as good as we’ve been led to believe?

No he absolutely isn’t

 

[Wingnut]

What’ annoyed me was Maidenhead fans telling us what we need to do , a fxxkxxg pub team this is how low we have become

 

[rayleigh dan]

Imagine Nathan Ferguson and McCoulsky being a class above any of our players.
KAF and Walker at least tried to go forward and take the oppo on. Everyone else looked shot of any confidence. First time I've seen Bonne. I'd have subbed him after 30 mins max.

Exactly! Those two were previously thought of in our worst 11 ever, yet somehow bossed us today. There were too many Bonne apologists last week, I hope they’re realising now how poor he’s been. Maher counts amongst them.

 

[Chairman Trigg]

Well we've now killed the feel good factor and the improved gates.Also given ourselves a ten point deduction in the last few games.
Totally unacceptable performance with the players we have . Wrong team selection and tactics and second best everywhere on the pitch .Can only remember a few times where Mahers half time talks or substitutions have actually made any difference to games where we are playing badly. We now have even the new players who arrived in an attacking mode playing sideways and backwards Maherball.
As much as I appreciate KM saving us at this level, the style of play is being taken apart by mediocre teams who appear more motivated and organised.
Unfortunately time for a change

 

[Jacob Sladder]

Oh dear, oh dear. It feels like the team are losing the crowd as well as matches. Some continue, for me, to be the players on whom this team needs to be based going forward, but I'm afraid there are some loyal favourites who are off the pace. GSM worked hard and probably had the most drive to get forward and score. KAF busy and seems to want to push forward. Moncur, Ralph, Morton, Taylor and Gubbins are keepers....unlike Colin who is exhibiting a lack of the confidence and awareness that an actual keeper needs. Time for a rest. Josh and Bim deserve better service and the latter put more effort and fought for more ball than Bonne put for the far too many turgid minutes he was on the pitch - fitness does not excuse lack of fight, lost headers and lack of any evidence that he either wants, or knows, how to score. Bridgey is now, seemingly, found out and increasingly becoming the seasons Elvis Bwomo - stuck on the touchline with the first touch invariably backwards. His shot was well saved but...........As for Noor, he no longer seems to be able to boss any part of midfield and loose balls are too common. Finally, and I hate to say it, Kev et all voice their frustration at the team after the game but are too slow to get the underperformers/garbage out of the game. It feels like some think they are an automatic shoe in and that needs to change. Either the players are playing this dull negative safe "we can walk this ball into the net" style under orders which I really hope is not the case, because if it is, Kev can't stay much longer. Or they're too scared to play any other way, in which case Kev needs to put them straight and instil some freedom and courage in the players. Watching Blues play has become a bit like watching a film on repeat - the same passes, the same mistakes, the same frustration watching teams break faster and cleaner than we can dream about. My three regular seatmates and my grandson did not attend today........what did they know that I didn't? So sorry to moan at such length but the team are better than what fans witnessed today. Come ON you Blues!!!
(NB other opinions are available)

 

[Wingnut]

When was the last time we lost 3 on the trot

 

[Target man]

Exactly! Those two were previously thought of in our worst 11 ever, yet somehow bossed us today. There were too many Bonne apologists last week, I hope they’re realising now how poor he’s been. Maher counts amongst them.

I agree.

I thought he was a very good signing when he came in, a proven scorer at this level, IF, we could get him back to what he was. Sadly it appears we cannot and his former club fans were right. I feel he is disturbing the balance and spirit of the team and I would not be disappointed if we cut his contract and admit it as a gamble that didn't pay off.

 

[Fitz]

So what can I say that others already haven’t. For me this is the lowest point in Mahers tenure. Accepting we could not sign anyone in the close season, and through injuries, a disciplinary issue and the poaching of our talisman we have lost the core spine of the team, todays performance was totally unacceptable.

We seem to be lacking the passion, fight, intensity and high press game of the last few seasons. The loss of Cardwell who drove the team forward is a massive loss here. With Kensdale and Cardwell missing for set pieces we have also become woeful at defending them.

Our turnover of possession without Miley has dropped off as well. But there is still no excuse for not marking up.

Our confidence is clearly shot, as for the first 10 minutes we were ok, but then as soon as we conceded our heads went down.

Ratings:

Collin: 5 - has had a very poor season, distribution is shocking but not really at fault today
Gus: 5- poor by his standard and a terrible challenge 2nd half
Crowther: 4- Massive downgrade on Kemsdale. Slow and ponderous
Ralph- 5- didn’t pick his man up for their first goal
Taylor- 6- good first half, dropped off in the second half
Husin- 2- shocking season, so negative and some awful distribution
KAF- 5- did ok, unlucky to be substituted
Moncur- 4 - sluggish and overplayed it, performances going backwards
Bridge 6 - gets zero support. Marked out of the game as teams have worked out he is our dangerman, Missing Wes as a decoy runner massively
Bonne 1 - worst signing in Maher era, absolutely ****, can’t believe he has a 1 year contract
Walker 5- coming back from injury so did ok

Why Pepple is not starting ahead of a Bonne is beyond me. Maher once again far too slow and reactive in changes. He is too stubborn to change the system until it is too late.

Maher has a very tough job on his hands to turn this one around

 

[Shrimper]

When was the last time we lost 3 on the trot

Last season

Chesterfield 3-0 Southend - Jan 27th
Southend 0-1 Gateshead - 3rd Feb
Southend 0-1 York - 10th Feb

If you're talking about at home it was the season before

Southend 0-1 Barnet - 3rd Mar
Southend 1-2 Chesterfield - 7th Mar
Southend 1-2 Aldershot - 18th Mar

 

[IloveShrimp]

I think the team is playing like all camaraderie has been lost and as individuals. Players are not playing, fighting or creating opportunities for each other. Tactics are too predictable I.e. get the ball wide and cross, there are very little passes into the channels for strikers to get onto and players seem frightened to use their own initiative or flair. I can’t remember any player actually attempting to beat his man and run into the opposition’s box with the ball.

The coaches seem to have lost the dressing room to me. Whether it’s due to the introduction of the two ‘billy big balls’ that have disturbed the team ethos remains to be seen. I mentioned in a post a couple of weeks ago that I think that the coaching staff will find it difficult to coach players who have played at a higher level than them and I stand by that opinion.

 

[duncan bulgaria]

I agree.

I thought he was a very good signing when he came in, a proven scorer at this level, IF, we could get him back to what he was. Sadly it appears we cannot and his former club fans were right. I feel he is disturbing the balance and spirit of the team and I would not be disappointed if we cut his contract and admit it as a gamble that didn't pay off.

It was an odd signing for a management team that have prided theirselves on vetting players attitudes and personalities , Bonnie has a rep of disrupting dressing rooms and is difficult to manage .
Maher hasn’t really had any egos or big personalities to manage in his reign, they have all been youth players or young up coming players from the leagues below who are grateful for the chance , I’ve cryptically mentioned that this will be a tough season for Maher as I could see signs of a disjointed balance in the team - however I must say that Moncur could be a real talent at this level if used correctly

Everything must go through him quickly so he’s on the turn and he can make things happen , slowing the game down makes average sides look good as they can regroup , gather their shape and make it difficult to break down , the goals the other week were from break away phases of play that had pace and tempo …..something we have lost recently

Has Maher done well so far - yes
Have we improved under him - not sure
Can he be replaced - most definitely

 

[rayleigh dan]

So what can I say that others already haven’t. For me this is the lowest point in Mahers tenure. Accepting we could not sign anyone in the close season, and through injuries, a disciplinary issue and the poaching of our talisman we have lost the core spine of the team, todays performance was totally unacceptable.

We seem to be lacking the passion, fight, intensity and high press game of the last few seasons. The loss of Cardwell who drove the team forward is a massive loss here. With Kemsdale and Cardwell missing for defensive set pieces we have also become woeful at defending set pieces.

Our turnover of possession without Miley has dropped off as well. But there is still no excuse for not marking up.

Our confidence is clearly shot, as for the first 10 minutes we were ok, but then as soon as we conceded our heads went down.

Ratings:

Collin: 5 - has had a very poor season, distribution is shocking but not really at fault today
Gus: 5- poor by his standard and a terrible challenge 2nd half
Crowther: 4- Massive downgrade on Kemsdale. Slow and ponderous
Ralph- 5- didn’t pick his man up for their first goal
Taylor- 6- good first half, dropped off in the second half
Husin- 2- shocking season, so negative and some awful distribution
KAF- 5- did ok, unlucky to be substituted
Moncur- 4 - sluggish and overplayed it, performances going backwards
Bridge 6 - gets zero support. Marked out of the game as teams have worked out he is our dangerman, Missing Wes as a decoy runner massively
Bonne 1 - worst signing in Maher era, absolutely ****, can’t believe he has a 1 year contract
Walker 5- coming back from injury so did ok

Why Pepple is not starting ahead of a Bonne is beyond me. Maher once again far too slow and reactive in changes. He is too stubborn to change the system until it is too late.

Maher has a very tough job on his hands to turn this one around

Agree with most of your ratings, though I actually though Husin was better today than last week and 2 is harsh, and 6 for Bridge is generous, both still way below par though.

The highlighted part is key, Pepple scores two goals, then has one poor performance and is dropped. Bonne has several poor performances yet keeps starting. How is that good for morale? Pick the team on form not past reputations.

I’ve always been critical of Maher for not using his subs early enough, today was another example. A terrible first half performance, yet the same 11 appear after the break. Too loyal, he needed to throw out some home truths and pull a couple off at the break IMO.

 

[Chrisb]

I think the team is playing like all camaraderie has been lost and as individuals. Players are not playing, fighting or creating opportunities for each other. Tactics are too predictable I.e. get the ball wide and cross, there are very little passes into the channels for strikers to get onto and players seem frightened to use their own initiative or flair. I can’t remember any player actually attempting to beat his man and run into the opposition’s box with the ball.

The coaches seem to have lost the dressing room to me. Whether it’s due to the introduction of the two ‘billy big balls’ that have disturbed the team ethos remains to be seen. I mentioned in a post a couple of weeks ago that I think that the coaching staff will find it difficult to coach players who have played at a higher level than them and I stand by that opinion.

I think that it looks that way.

 

[Shrimper83]

Not saying he isn’t anything you have said and I agree, but he’s not good enough ..

To me Coker isn't good enough aswell. He was pushed into the team because we didn't have anyone else and was still under contract. Yeah he's got the odd goal but he drifts through games without really even knowing he's on the pitch too many times. I still believe if Maher had the choice between Benton and Coker when we was in Embargo Maher would have gone for Benton

 

[rayleigh dan]

I think the team is playing like all camaraderie has been lost and as individuals. Players are not playing, fighting or creating opportunities for each other. Tactics are too predictable I.e. get the ball wide and cross, there are very little passes into the channels for strikers to get onto and players seem frightened to use their own initiative or flair. I can’t remember any player actually attempting to beat his man and run into the opposition’s box with the ball.

The coaches seem to have lost the dressing room to me. Whether it’s due to the introduction of the two ‘billy big balls’ that have disturbed the team ethos remains to be seen. I mentioned in a post a couple of weeks ago that I think that the coaching staff will find it difficult to coach players who have played at a higher level than them and I stand by that opinion.

I think they need too have the balls to drop the aforementioned duo for a start. Maybe that’ll improve morale amongst the rest. Both ‘could’ still be good, but need a wake up call that they haven’t got a guaranteed place.

What we can’t afford is two ‘ego’s’ who can’t be arsed to fight for the team starting over others who want it more. If rumours of disrespect after being subbed are true, it proves my point.

 

[Fitz]

Most worrying of all was Moncur and Bonne both storming down the tunnel after their respective substitutions ., I think that shows the level of team togetherness at the moment ..

Did they…missed that..they can keep on walking

 

[Target man]

To me Coker isn't good enough aswell. He was pushed into the team because we didn't have anyone else and was still under contract. Yeah he's got the odd goal but he drifts through games without really even knowing he's on the pitch too many times. I still believe if Maher had the choice between Benton and Coker when we was in Embargo Maher would have gone for Benton

If we're taking about promotion, which the poster was, then promotion is won by a squad over a season. We have to agree Chesterfield were the outstanding team of last season and deserved that promotion. Let the short memories be reminded, we were the team to end their long unbeaten run, with 12 players I recall, in an outstanding performance. One of those 12 players was Coker, who had an excellent game. That same player has more goals and assists than most of our midfield this and last season, yet, seemingly is being targeted ... when he's missed many games this season and not been part of the sudden collapse. Respectfully, we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.