Post-Match Thread and Ratings Oldham FC 3-2 Southend Utd

[The Original Tribal Chief]

Fair play to Icelandair. They are going to refund my ticket, and my match ticket and get me home first class in a few hours. I also don’t think I could have faced being there to see us give it away in extra time like that. I’m always proud to support Southend and I think the boys tried hard. But to see anything other than a lack of quality and tactical nous which has cost us a place in the football league and a few million quid is baffling to me.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

that was incredibily intense. I was worried my mate was going to expire. **** it, I was worried I was going to.

i wasn't nervous before the game, but my god i felt it when we actually got there. the atmosphere was very, very good, but you could feel the nerves. i remember 10 years ago the singing never stopped, but it came and went today. because we were all feeling it.

i thought we didn't look very fluid in midfield most of the game, coz essentially Maher picked a team for a fight. Oldham started much stronger, had that Fondop chance that I don't know how he missed. but by about 60 minutes I felt we were the stronger team, and that continued into extra time. it seemed to me like they were bigger and stronger, and the extra time worked to our advantage.

we scored two, which has been our problem this season. but we missed some sitters. I really felt for Bonne. He knows he's the reason Oldham were celebrating rather than us. It's easy to forget as a fan the human being and how they feel. he looked devastated.

to have it right up on their right wing and concede, that hurts. KAF went on the attack, so wasn't in that pocket, so they could get the ball and go long for their goal. ouch, that hurt. where's sideways and backwards when you need it?

then they score a fluke, and we knew it was over. our fans were silent, the players were done.

we gave it everything, and it came down to a fluke, a cross that somehow misses everyone and goes in. that's all that was between the teams at the end of the day.

another really sad thing was no phone signal at the end meant I couldn't meet up with several mates, which would have at least put a nice end on a sad day.

i've never been so nervous, emotional, up and down. what a day

 

[leeblue]

Our journey from almost total destruction to today has taken 3 years.

We do have a squad and manager that has been assembled to achieve the goal we did today…but it took time, and if we are honest, we finished 5th and have then won a cup competition….not done a Barnet, Chesterfield etc.

There would have been a very different view on our forum if you had seen the game out. For the amount of money we spent, to be as far off the top of the table was a disappointing season.

The rot that bad owners create takes time to completely change….your support will create an income/budget level that means you will be competitive.

Over time (hopefully not long) it will come good.

Absolutely

 

[shrimperjon]

Gutted, deflated, emotionally drained but incredibly proud of the players, the club and the fans today. We travelled up by train and had a quick drink in Hamilton Hall which was buzzing. Then made our way to Boxpark. What a privilege it was to spend a few hours in there. It was absolutely bouncing and such a great atmosphere. Got into Wembley around 14:30 and it looked fantastic. Not just our end but also great to see the Oldham end full which made fir the best atmosphere I’ve known at a Southend Wembley game.

Loved the Tifo so well done all those involved in that. We started brightly and got the early goal we were looking for. The scenes our end were just a picture of joy. However the rest of the half it felt was controlled by them. They seemed well organised, physical but also played to their strengths. They hit the post, headed wide from a matter of yards and then missed a one on one. It just felt we were riding our luck and at 1-0 at HT there was a huge sigh of relief. Second half we made the worst start with them getting a penalty within a matter of minutes although I’ve heard they should have had one first half as well. Once again we saw lots of the ball but without creating an awful luck. At the other end Hayes made a great save to keep us in it. Extra time came along and within minutes we’d taken the league after a well worked goal down the right although their keeper made a hash of the cross but there was Leon to put us in front. At Ht in extra time the game was in out hands. But a long ball forward wasnt dealt with as well as it should have been and Norwood took the goal well. Then within a minute a hopeful cross into the box was missed by Goodliffe and fouled the back of the net. We were ten mins from promotion to eight minutes to save our season. In the end it wasnt to be but if honest they deserved to win over the 120 minutes

A big summer ahead as there are clearly areas that need to be improved and whether we can move on certain players to make room we will have to wait and see. But we are in a decent place on and off the pitch but this squad needs improving. This will test Cosu ambitions and how much money the y are willing to Kev ad co

So a day to be very proud of in so many ways but not the end of the season we were looking for

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

that was incredibily intense. I was worried my mate was going to expire. **** it, I was worried I was going to.

i wasn't nervous before the game, but my god i felt it when we actually got there. the atmosphere was very, very good, but you could feel the nerves. i remember 10 years ago the singing never stopped, but it came and went today. because we were all feeling it.

i thought we didn't look very fluid in midfield most of the game, coz essentially Maher picked a team for a fight. Oldham started much stronger, had that Fondop chance that I don't know how he missed. but by about 60 minutes I felt we were the stronger team, and that continued into extra time. it seemed to me like they were bigger and stronger, and the extra time worked to our advantage.

we scored two, which has been our problem this season. but we missed some sitters. I really felt for Bonne. He knows he's the reason Oldham were celebrating rather than us. It's easy to forget as a fan the human being and how they feel. he looked devastated.

to have it right up on their right wing and concede, that hurts. KAF went on the attack, so wasn't in that pocket, so they could get the ball and go long for their goal. ouch, that hurt. where's sideways and backwards when you need it?

then they score a fluke, and we knew it was over. our fans were silent, the players were done.

we gave it everything, and it came down to a fluke, a cross that somehow misses everyone and goes in. that's all that was between the teams at the end of the day.

another really sad thing was no phone signal at the end meant I couldn't meet up with several mates, which would have at least put a nice end on a sad day.

i've never been so nervous, emotional, up and down. what a day

a word for Oldham. Fair play to them. They've been through ****, and their fans were a credit to them. I won't say I'm pleased for them because I'm not, I wanted us to win. but I thought they were proper

 

[SU BLUE]

Well my take on that was first half was pretty even, second half we dominated possession though they did look more dangerous on the attack than us. Their penalty was debatable but could see why it was given. Then extra time we had the upper hand pretty much all through but they got 2 lucky goals. I don’t think Hayes could be blamed for any of Oldham’s goals. Taylor my mom and on the hole the game was a credit to both teams and showed the standard of Nat league football. As much as I am gutted we lost the match itself was fantastic viewing, and here’s wishing Oldham the best for next season. As for us I don’t think we will need to fear anyone next term. UTB

 

[Fitz]

What to say that hasn’t already been said as we all doom scroll, in the comfort of each other.

Certainly not the time for any scapegoats. I thought Harry Taylor was immense and man of the match for us, Walker also very good after an awful season, when he came on. I thought Oldham were the better attacking side, had the most clear cut chances and shaded it. Hopper was fouled all game and never got a thing.

I didn’t enjoy all the day trippers in and out throughout the whole match, much prefer being part of the 700 of us at FGR last week. Didn’t even see the penalty decision with everyone still coming back from their half time refreshments, seriously hacked me off.

The TIFO gave me a tear to my eye and was superb. The players were immense and just ran out of steam, 3 extra times in 3 weeks, poor old Gus was absolutely spent at the end. All 5 goals in the Oldham end!

Congratulations to Oldham, proper club and in the main good supporters.

My two lads are absolutely gutted, but I have seen it all over the years and just super proud to have our club back.

Felt for Maher and all the back room staff, I have at times questioned them like many of us, but truly believe in them for next season, who would have though after Maidenhead away we would have been 10 mins away from the football league!

Just hope we can retain the nucleus of the squad and make a number of additions in the obvious areas we need to this summer and let’s win this league next season! Some decent strikers that can finish please!

May take a little break from Shrimperzone now and see if I can find other things to distract me, as boy we all need a breather.

 

[Strykr]

I like Walker a lot. Get him firing and he’ll transform like Kendall.

I thought he was terrible. He looks like he doesnt give a ****, so slow he makes hopper look like speedy gonzalez and makes bonne look as potent as freddy.

Show him the exit door please.

Edit: ive clearly hit my angry threshold about not winning so while we are at it show hayes the door, bonne, hopper, walker play leon in the middle, and buy 2 proper centre backs that are ours.

 

[Barling Magna]

Tonight the Wembley Arch is illuminated blue. Blue for Oldham.

Dammit.

 

[thenobster]

Like pretty much everyone here, I’m devastated but immensely proud of the team.
I’ve been a ‘kev out’ person, but for now, I hope he goes away and gets a great rest and come back ready to make it third time lucky.

Harry, Kaf and Noor were stand out today.
Walker.. nice touches.. if only he’d scored.
Sorry Jack, squad player at best now.
Oldham tipped it in chances, but blimey, it hurts.

So proud, so painful.

#never give up

 

[southend4ever]

Wow. Emotionally drained.

The early goal knocked the stuffing out of the Oldham but then they came to life. Two missed chances first half that should have been goals.

The slowest beer queue in history and a missed goal later, not long after returning to my seat our keeper kept us in it. First viewing I thought he should have scored.

On the balance of the game I was delighted to be at 1-1 at FT. 80-90 odd aside when again we come to life and momentum and maybe fitness come into it.

After refusing to miss another goal for a beer I witnessed the incredible moment we went 2-1 up and then 15 minutes of the best atmosphere ever as a Southend fan!

Only to then experience the worst few minutes of my supporting career. I’ve just had a thought for man u’s turnaround in the champs league final. Brutal. I don’t want to talk about it.

I was disappointed that they were winning headers up top all day and also knocking them down to an Oldham player. Thought our formation was all wrong to concede at 2-2 it was actually 3 on 3 at the back and goodliffe couldn’t win much all day.

They deserved it. Fair and square. A brutal way to lose. A brutal few minutes.

But so proud of the boys and their efforts. Won’t get into them too much after that today but didn’t think our centre mid positioning was too good and would have liked to see a bit more attacking intent at 1-0 but hey ho. A great effort, a great day and great memories.

It’s going to ****ing hurt but I’m proud of the boys.

 

[LeedsSUFC]

The game summed up the league. Lacking quality.

Oldham could’ve scored a bunch and being out of sight in the 90. We should’ve won it if Goodliffe and Hayes didn’t mess up. It’s how the cookie crumbles, unfortunately. If they had better quality, they would be in the EFL already.

Next season would’ve been brutal with the current contracted players. We struggle to see out a full 90 in NL, we would be bottom half League 2 with this squad. Fixture list looks terrible, but I’d rather see a full season/pre season under COSU and build properly.

The trains weren’t that bad, considering the circumstances.

Boxpark was superb.

Behind the goal on level 1 was superb too.

Wembley pint prices weren’t as outrageous as expected, and the service was very impressive at half time.

If COSU ever needed to justify the stadium renovation / build on engaging with fans / use North Bank properly, today was that case study.

We have people that have talents and love for the club and the club letting them give the effort. Whether that’s Rylee & club staff, the tifo, Alexis (the box park guy), musicians, Martin Trenaman, ex players. The list is endless of how we can grow.

I left today feeling more hopeful for the future than down and disappointed.

 

[Pak Power]

that was incredibily intense. I was worried my mate was going to expire. **** it, I was worried I was going to.

i wasn't nervous before the game, but my god i felt it when we actually got there. the atmosphere was very, very good, but you could feel the nerves. i remember 10 years ago the singing never stopped, but it came and went today. because we were all feeling it.

i thought we didn't look very fluid in midfield most of the game, coz essentially Maher picked a team for a fight. Oldham started much stronger, had that Fondop chance that I don't know how he missed. but by about 60 minutes I felt we were the stronger team, and that continued into extra time. it seemed to me like they were bigger and stronger, and the extra time worked to our advantage.

we scored two, which has been our problem this season. but we missed some sitters. I really felt for Bonne. He knows he's the reason Oldham were celebrating rather than us. It's easy to forget as a fan the human being and how they feel. he looked devastated.

to have it right up on their right wing and concede, that hurts. KAF went on the attack, so wasn't in that pocket, so they could get the ball and go long for their goal. ouch, that hurt. where's sideways and backwards when you need it?

then they score a fluke, and we knew it was over. our fans were silent, the players were done.

we gave it everything, and it came down to a fluke, a cross that somehow misses everyone and goes in. that's all that was between the teams at the end of the day.

another really sad thing was no phone signal at the end meant I couldn't meet up with several mates, which would have at least put a nice end on a sad day.

i've never been so nervous, emotional, up and down. what a day

I think it was deflected into the side of the net by maybe Goodliffe? Keeper no chance

 

[wilburysteve]

I thought the teams were evenly matched, fine margins. The Ref definitely seemed biased towards Oldham with several decisions. We should have pressed them more & closed them down, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Blues & their magnificent supporters can be proud of themselves today, nonetheless.
Let's hope the new sponsors of the national league make it 2 automatically promoted, & a play off for 3rd. Up The Blues!

 

[JB Shrimper]

Nothing to do with trying to be a voice of reason. I welcome genuine, well thought-out opinions.

But "Maher Out" trolls gleefully hopping straight on here minutes after the match has finished to say "I told you so" and to try to wind people up?

Nah.

No disrespect, I was a Maher out but now closer to the fence to see what happens, there have been many that have unprovoked attacks on the Maher outs during this play off run including calling them "mongs" which is less than a decent term to use. Not saying this was you but you can't have it both ways. Opinions are fine, who really gives a toss what people say through a keyboard and screen?

 

[RobB11]

does anyone actually know what happened to the first ref? He just disappeared down the tunnel

Must have given up realised he was a useless twonk and decided it was best for all that he retired there and then.

 

[WhiteNoise]

The ref maybe missed a few on hopper, but he also missed a stone wall pen by Taylor, and the tackle by Cav escaped a red because it was so early on. Felt it all balanced out really.

 

[Paddypel]

Like everyone else absolutely devastated but on the flip side happy for Oldham and their fans who are a sound bunch and a proper club.

As for the performance I thought we were actually the better team in possession for the 120 minutes but Oldham certainly crafted the better chances and were unlucky to behind at HT. Yet again it’s clear to see that proven strikers are the key to getting out this division and that’s what won it for them. Ours left a lot to be desired and that has to be remedied over the summer as an absolute priority.

 

[Shrimperborn1957]

Well what a **** end to a **** day!

Couldn’t get fries anywhere all the ****e vendors outside Wembley didn’t seem to have any.

Got in and sat in the ‘family’ area, thought that would be good. And in fairness all the rows in front were good as gold, it was the absolute scum ****s behind us and their kids that have obviously been dragged up. Throwing food/drink and spitting at my kids, then banging on the top of the roof, even though multiple people asked them to stop as it was upsetting my youngest daughter and the autistic girl sat in front of us.

Some idiot gobbed off at my best mate and said “it’s what footballs like, I can say **** it’s football!” No you thick **** that’s why we sat in the family area to be away from ****s like you! The kids continued throughout and one of the wives then put her hands on my eldest daughter after she asked one of her little brats to stop, which then got my wife’s back up.

These absolute thunder ****s have put off 3 young supporters, potentially more by their vile behaviour! Embarrassing, and the parents were worse than the kids, exactly why their kids behave like brats!

Anyway, absolutely heartbreaking! To be leading twice and then throw it away in that fashion really did make it more painful!

I won’t go into the performance as a whole because I am still too wound up.

Hats off to all the players, coaches and fans (except the idiots behind us) who put in so much effort throughout the season to get us to a point I never imagined was possible! Shame the dream wasn’t to be.

I think that was our opportunity, it will be tough to get out of this league, but I never thought we would have got to today.

I was in block 111 and when final whistle went had trouble getting up steps to get out. The reason being, a few people (not supporters just tossers) coming down and arguing and wanting to fight with other people. If the overweight ethnic looking t wat in the ridiculous Black bandana type thing on his head is reading this. Just **** off and find a different club to embarrass. I don’t want low life’s like you associated with our club.

As for the game, 10/10 to each player for effort. They are national league players for a reason. Mistakes happen.

God I love this team.

 

[macima]

Looking down on the Tifo,I thought "****, we're a proper football club again".