Post-Match Thread and Ratings Cambridge Utd 0-0 Southend Utd

[Maroon Blue]

The criticism of Acquah reminds me a little of the criticism Ladapo got during his brief spell, Acquah is going to become a very good lower league target man if he does what he did yesterday and occupy defenders to let others play. If it wasn't for Acquah, Ang wouldn't have had as much freedom to impress as much as he did

It does not suit some people’s agenda, to appreciate the unselfish work some players do too help the team and for our more skilful players too shine.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

The criticism of Acquah reminds me a little of the criticism Ladapo got during his brief spell, Acquah is going to become a very good lower league target man if he does what he did yesterday and occupy defenders to let others play. If it wasn't for Acquah, Ang wouldn't have had as much freedom to impress as much as he did

I can't fault the logic.
But doing what he did yesterday has been in short supply.
Has been the victim of a poor side? Maybe. But you could say the same of Tom Clifford and Egbri to some extent.
Most would agree the latter pair have produced more, and in Clifford, one goal more.
After 23 appearances this season, Emile produced an unequivocal performance at Cambridge.
Let's see if he does it in the next four or five matches given the chance.

 

[BluBayou]

Oxley - 7 - did all that was asked
Clifford - 7 - has really strengthened our left side
Elvis - 7 - looked lively
White 7 - working well with Hobson
Hobson - 8 - tidied up everything that came into the box
Taylor - 6 - not quite sharp enough yet.
Ferguson - 7 - Has definitely added something to the team
Acquah - 8 - really hitting form but final pass lacking
Acquah - 7 - A lot of good work and unsung
Acquah - 7 - Best game for us so far. Using his strength better.
Acquah - 7 another good performance. Can Goodship fill his boots?

RH-F - 7 - Capable of unsettling defenses, especially late on

MM - 7 - Another good tactical game and selection

 

[Chrisb]

It does not suit some people’s agenda, to appreciate the unselfish work some players do too help the team and for our more skilful players too shine.

Yes, will always remember the terrible treatment of Kevin Maher by fans, of course thankfully he eventually won everyone round.

 

[OldBlueLady]

No ones mentioned the delightful pass Elvis played over the top which led to Acquahs snapshot.

*Ahem*

Defensively, Ox had a good game, Elvis and John were back to their battling best, and young Tom Clifford showed his versatility. Elvis was also getting forward well and played a sublime pass that beat their defence late on - if only it had been Akinola, Reeco or ANG who got on the end of it.

 

[Camden Blues]

Just been looking at the league tables in the Sunday papers. Took me a while to find us!! ?

 

[Holy Joe]

It does not suit some people’s agenda, to appreciate the unselfish work some players do too help the team and for our more skilful players too shine.

Absolutely. 90 mins in a game, 22 players - on average a player will only be on the ball for 4 minutes in a match - the other 86 minutes is all about what they're doing off the ball - and arguably significantly more important.

 

[rigsby]

"Most of us know the real reasons why some feel the need to do it". I don't! So am guessing a racist slant is implied?
Clarification, please?

No that wasn't my first thought. But now you mention it my guess would be about 10%

People full of hate are normally equal opportunity haters. Like I said if it wasn't EA it would be Halford or Goodship. In My experience these are the people who have underachieved in their own lives. Not only do they hate to see others succeed out of envy, failure makes them feel better about themselves......For some sad reason.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

No that wasn't my first thought. But now you mention it my guess would be about 10%

People full of hate are normally equal opportunity haters. Like I said if it wasn't EA it would be Halford or Goodship. In My experience these are the people who have underachieved in their own lives. Not only do they hate to see others succeed out of envy, failure makes them feel better about themselves......For some sad reason.

The people who only moan and complain but offer no help or solution.

For me EA could benefit maybe from some specific areas of training from the likes of The Goat or, more locally if he had the will to do it, Lee Bernard, who, in his first spell as a young hungry forward was non stop nuisance and hustler who made most of his talents.

 

[southendkid]

There was a thread earlier in the season calling for Oxley to be permanently dropped because he failed to stop a soft penalty which looks ridiculous given his recent performances and I seem to remember Egbri getting a lot of stick as well before people realised he was one of the better kids in our side. Acquah is just the latest victim of the blame game, some fans can't help but hate at least one player in the squad, if Acquah becomes an essential player for us I'm sure the fans will find another player to direct their anger towards instead.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

There was a thread earlier in the season calling for Oxley to be permanently dropped because he failed to stop a soft penalty which looks ridiculous given his recent performances and I seem to remember Egbri getting a lot of stick as well before people realised he was one of the better kids in our side. Acquah is just the latest victim of the blame game, some fans can't help but hate at least one player in the squad, if Acquah becomes an essential player for us I'm sure the fans will find another player to direct their anger towards instead.

100% correct - although Goodship's back now so maybe the spotlight will come off Acquah a bit earlier!

 

[Evening Echo]

AFTER suffering a dire defeat at Port Vale a fortnight, Southend United seemed to be staring a second successive relegation firmly in the face.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[Blues ‘n’ twos]

This was a reply to the idea that yesterday's draw was a good one, which it was!
But draws aren't going to save us. Simple maths: 18 more games; 18 draws = 42 points and relegation.
There was a bit of me wondering whether to fork out £10 to watch a massacre at 2.55pm.
As the game wore on, and many have said the same, a draw short changed us.
I wonder whether missed opportunities will come back to bite us?
Maybe not, he hopes...

Whilst I agree with you we need some wins and not 18 draws, 42 points in this topsey turvey season may not be a guaranteed relegation.
I know the odds are stacked against us, previous stats and that, but this has to be one of the poorest league two’s for many a year.

 

[Barry.C]

It will be interesting to see how well Emile does 5 years down the line. He is only 20 and men don’t reach full muscle maturity until somewhere between 20 years and 30. The brain continues to fully develop until the age of 25, so our Emile has a way to go but is no doubt learning fast

 

[mfurok]

It will be interesting to see how well Emile does 5 years down the line. He is only 20 and men don’t reach full muscle maturity until somewhere between 20 years and 30. The brain continues to fully develop until the age of 25, so our Emile has a way to go but is no doubt learning fast

With reference to a little banter on another thread, is Emile a Spartan?

 

[kentblues]

Belated from me

Very pleasing performance and to build upon- and give real confidence we have sorted one or two things out.

Ox 6.....not a lot to do but when called up solid. Will give CBs confidence.
Clifford 7 good mature performance..its easy to forget he is still a youngster. Will be a very good LB.
Elvis 6... decent performance especially defensively
White 7.... his experience makes a huge difference and a tendency to be in the right place at the right time. Also makes it really hard for some decent 9s he comes up against- all over them like an old suit.
Hobson 7.....vbery good partnership with White. Clearly our best pairing in a back 4.
Taylor 6....did ok. Disciplined, good on the ball, got forward when he could.
Ferguson 7...good acquisition. Sat in front of the back 4 and made it difficult for the opposition. Reads the game well, good in the air, very good at taking the sting out of things and being calm in tight situations. Good ball tension.
ANG 8......you can see he has a lot of talent. With an end product he would be at least a division above. Needs to be creating for others when we have the others. Very good.
Dieng 6...typical Dieng performance. Does more than you realise because he keeps it simple. Again probably one of those players that you miss when they are not there.
Acquah 6....put himself about, created some problems, and gave the 3 behind time to get up in support/pressure. If he was one or two or three options there instead of complaining we would be saying "promising youngster". Its not his fault we haven't brought in the much needed alternatives.
Akinola 7 like ANG brings a lot. Good player, good signing. End product better than ANG and will look better and better as we add to our threat up front.
Hackett F 6.... good to have him in the squad and adds something. Not going to get many goals any more than ANG will. I see why he can't make a L1 squad, at the moment. (BTW we sometimes say these players are youngsters and so we should not be expecting too match output from them- ANG is 25, Akinola 27, Hackett 23)

A couple of goalscorers away from a decent team as everyone keeps saying. If we can fix this season I think we are starting to see some promising signs for next. Be very interested to see Mellis- in theory he will add even more to what is starting to look like a strong MF.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

The people who only moan and complain but offer no help or solution.

For me EA could benefit maybe from some specific areas of training from the likes of The Goat or, more locally if he had the will to do it, Lee Bernard, who, in his first spell as a young hungry forward was non stop nuisance and hustler who made most of his talents.

Have said the same on a few occasions.
He needs to be coached in running for a start.
Those rocking shoulders are wasted energy, and big as he is, some of that bulk is unnecessary.
Looking at earlier pictures, he appears to have been in the gym a fair bit.
Let's face it, in League 2, balls are going to come at him out of the air more often than not, and he needs to work on his timing.
I've lost count how many centre halves pin him at the crucial second of a jump.
Start there, and things could start to happen for him.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Have said the same on a few occasions.
He needs to be coached in running for a start.
Those rocking shoulders are wasted energy, and big as he is, some of that bulk is unnecessary.
Looking at earlier pictures, he appears to have been in the gym a fair bit.
Let's face it, in League 2, balls are going to come at him out of the air more often than not, and he needs to work on his timing.
I've lost count how many centre halves pin him at the crucial second of a jump.
Start there, and things could start to happen for him.

I am in agreement with you on his running style and leap.
And, for me, it is not just EA, these are PROFESSIONAL players, at the start and important juncture of their short careers AND I would be astonished if they don't get sprint, burst, leap, turn training, AND very disappointed if they don't want to do more, seek specialist coaching etc.
It always astounded me reports of players rolling up to pre season having piled on the pounds over a few weeks holiday..

 

[wiggy]

There was a thread earlier in the season calling for Oxley to be permanently dropped because he failed to stop a soft penalty which looks ridiculous given his recent performances and I seem to remember Egbri getting a lot of stick as well before people realised he was one of the better kids in our side. Acquah is just the latest victim of the blame game, some fans can't help but hate at least one player in the squad, if Acquah becomes an essential player for us I'm sure the fans will find another player to direct their anger towards instead.

......sorry but he is still rooted to his line and worries the hell out of me.....has been getting away with it against rubbish League 2 opposition, hence this is his level.

Let’s face it Acquah is still nowhere near a decent player, can’t jump, little movement, poor control....both these two can be much improved upon but as we are Ox is adequate and Acquah is a desperation fill in, better this week but should really be behind at least two half decent strikers if we can get any!

 

[rhrussell]

I dont rate MM when he says he is happy with what he has got ?? but we dont have anybody who can score goals, just confirms my thoughts on the man