EastStandBlue
Life President
- Joined
- May 29, 2005
- Messages
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Archetypal game of two halves.
I actually thought that the first half performance, until around the 40th minute, was amongst the most commanding displays I've seen from a Southend side... right up there with that second half against Yeovil. Everything Torquay tried was intercepted quickly, and they couldn't get near our slick passing regime that started from the middle, and spread out wide to the hugely influencial Hall and Soares. They really pegged back the full-backs and allowed us to mount no end of pressure, causing Torquay to attempt a long-ball game to Elliot Benyon, who is clearly 14 years old and there on Work Experience.
Grant's goal was absolutely superb. He didn't blast it into the net at all, he simply guided it right into the top corner, curling it away from the 'keeper. The moment it left his boot I knew it was in, and it paid great testament to his outrageous technical ability. He's head and shoulders above most at this level, and it pains me to say he doesn't deserve to be slumming it in this division.
Simpson's goal was just as good... Doggedly winning back possession in midfield before advancing, and lashing in a shot just outside of the goalkeepeer's reach. I actually thought his goal was just against the run of play as we were beginning to tire immensely, and just getting into half-time 1-0 up would've been an achievement. This showed after the break, and the tiredness creeped in as early as the 60th minute... Torquay hauled off the anonymous Benyon and bought on Phil and Grant Mitchell's estranged triplet who wasn't much better, but posed far more of a physical threat to a Moshni running on empty.
In the end, we were lucky to scrape through, but we deserved the three points on the first half display, and League Two scouts will have an awful lot to write home about. A proper rest for the players after a fortnight spell where the games have come thick and fast, and hopefully we can make that first 40 minutes extend to 90.
Tactically, I thought we were immaculate when energy levels were high. Whoever says Sturrock hasn't got a first touch needs their heads examining, as when he wasn't being assaulted by Branston, he was taking the ball down perfectly and laying it into the path of Simpson or Grant, who played in Hall or Soares behind the defenders. By dropping deep to collect the ball, Sturrock was continually pulling Branston out of position, which allowed either winger the space to run into. Hall exploited this something rotten in the first half hour, and probably should've done something about it. Funnily enough, Sturrock's also one of the best crossers of the ball we have... and two of his crosses really should've been converted.
The balance in midfield is a joy to behold. Easton's happy to sit in front of the defence and play it simple or spread the ball to Sturrock, whereas Grant and Simpson are your box-to-box, all-action equivalents. They tired towards the end and I thought Bouzid was going to come on, but PS probably rightfully wanted to maintain the balance, as anything to alter that could've swung the game in Torquay's favour. My only gripe is that, with the tactic, Simpson is quickly becoming crucial and, if we can't extend his loan or sign him permanently, we could struggle in his absence.
Quick word for Moshni. Another totally committed display... On a few occasions, particularly in the last 20 when his legs had gone, he missed a few headers, but he wins almost everything in the air and with a season of football under his belt, he'll be quite extraordinary. It's a shame that we probably won't see that, however, as I understand there were a handful of scouts at the ground today and that two Premier League clubs have been alerted.
Ratings for Pringello.
Morris - 7.5 - Didn't do anything in the first, tremendous save to keep out the bat**** mental Zebroski's header in the second.
Gilbert - 6 - Disappointing distribution, but solid enough work rate as he gets himself back to fitness.
Barker - 7.5 - Not quite worthy of an 8, but another good performance.
Moshni - 7.5 - As above.
Clohessy - 7 - Like Gilbert, a few momentarily lapses, but he has that crossfield diagonal to a tee... It's just getting Hall/Soares/Boub to read it.
Easton - 7 - Combatant when necessary, simple distribution.
Grant - 8 - Outstanding goal, drifted out of the game in the second half as both teams hoofed it around.
Simpson - 8 - As above, although he was more of an outlet as we looked to ease pressure.
Hall - 8 - Very impressed today. Direct and intelligent, if a little one-footed/dimension.
Soares - 7 - Not quite as effective as Hall, but still posed a threat.
Sturrock - 8 - Great performance against a rugged defence and officials who ignored every shove.
PS/TW - 8 - Could've freshened things up when we faded, but we were tactically spot on.
The only sub on long enough for a mark would be Paterson, who I was extremely disappointed with. He looks a player completely shot of confidence and one going through the motions, which is sad to see from a player who, on form, can offer so much. I'd like to see him get a full 90 under his belt, but if he's going to amble around the pitch then I don't think he warrants a start.
I actually thought that the first half performance, until around the 40th minute, was amongst the most commanding displays I've seen from a Southend side... right up there with that second half against Yeovil. Everything Torquay tried was intercepted quickly, and they couldn't get near our slick passing regime that started from the middle, and spread out wide to the hugely influencial Hall and Soares. They really pegged back the full-backs and allowed us to mount no end of pressure, causing Torquay to attempt a long-ball game to Elliot Benyon, who is clearly 14 years old and there on Work Experience.
Grant's goal was absolutely superb. He didn't blast it into the net at all, he simply guided it right into the top corner, curling it away from the 'keeper. The moment it left his boot I knew it was in, and it paid great testament to his outrageous technical ability. He's head and shoulders above most at this level, and it pains me to say he doesn't deserve to be slumming it in this division.
Simpson's goal was just as good... Doggedly winning back possession in midfield before advancing, and lashing in a shot just outside of the goalkeepeer's reach. I actually thought his goal was just against the run of play as we were beginning to tire immensely, and just getting into half-time 1-0 up would've been an achievement. This showed after the break, and the tiredness creeped in as early as the 60th minute... Torquay hauled off the anonymous Benyon and bought on Phil and Grant Mitchell's estranged triplet who wasn't much better, but posed far more of a physical threat to a Moshni running on empty.
In the end, we were lucky to scrape through, but we deserved the three points on the first half display, and League Two scouts will have an awful lot to write home about. A proper rest for the players after a fortnight spell where the games have come thick and fast, and hopefully we can make that first 40 minutes extend to 90.
Tactically, I thought we were immaculate when energy levels were high. Whoever says Sturrock hasn't got a first touch needs their heads examining, as when he wasn't being assaulted by Branston, he was taking the ball down perfectly and laying it into the path of Simpson or Grant, who played in Hall or Soares behind the defenders. By dropping deep to collect the ball, Sturrock was continually pulling Branston out of position, which allowed either winger the space to run into. Hall exploited this something rotten in the first half hour, and probably should've done something about it. Funnily enough, Sturrock's also one of the best crossers of the ball we have... and two of his crosses really should've been converted.
The balance in midfield is a joy to behold. Easton's happy to sit in front of the defence and play it simple or spread the ball to Sturrock, whereas Grant and Simpson are your box-to-box, all-action equivalents. They tired towards the end and I thought Bouzid was going to come on, but PS probably rightfully wanted to maintain the balance, as anything to alter that could've swung the game in Torquay's favour. My only gripe is that, with the tactic, Simpson is quickly becoming crucial and, if we can't extend his loan or sign him permanently, we could struggle in his absence.
Quick word for Moshni. Another totally committed display... On a few occasions, particularly in the last 20 when his legs had gone, he missed a few headers, but he wins almost everything in the air and with a season of football under his belt, he'll be quite extraordinary. It's a shame that we probably won't see that, however, as I understand there were a handful of scouts at the ground today and that two Premier League clubs have been alerted.
Ratings for Pringello.
Morris - 7.5 - Didn't do anything in the first, tremendous save to keep out the bat**** mental Zebroski's header in the second.
Gilbert - 6 - Disappointing distribution, but solid enough work rate as he gets himself back to fitness.
Barker - 7.5 - Not quite worthy of an 8, but another good performance.
Moshni - 7.5 - As above.
Clohessy - 7 - Like Gilbert, a few momentarily lapses, but he has that crossfield diagonal to a tee... It's just getting Hall/Soares/Boub to read it.
Easton - 7 - Combatant when necessary, simple distribution.
Grant - 8 - Outstanding goal, drifted out of the game in the second half as both teams hoofed it around.
Simpson - 8 - As above, although he was more of an outlet as we looked to ease pressure.
Hall - 8 - Very impressed today. Direct and intelligent, if a little one-footed/dimension.
Soares - 7 - Not quite as effective as Hall, but still posed a threat.
Sturrock - 8 - Great performance against a rugged defence and officials who ignored every shove.
PS/TW - 8 - Could've freshened things up when we faded, but we were tactically spot on.
The only sub on long enough for a mark would be Paterson, who I was extremely disappointed with. He looks a player completely shot of confidence and one going through the motions, which is sad to see from a player who, on form, can offer so much. I'd like to see him get a full 90 under his belt, but if he's going to amble around the pitch then I don't think he warrants a start.
