Official Match Thread Southend United V Derby

[southend4ever]

17th in the league.

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

Perhaps a 1-1 draw against Derby will help convince the judge that we are a going concern. ;) More seriously.....a good result and gives hope that we may end up at the right end of the table. Obviously, too soon to say yet ...........but considering that, a couple of weeks ago, we didn't have enough players for a five-a-side game, it's quite encouraging. I know that they are not yet fully signed-up but let's hope that can be sorted in the very near future.

 

[Jam_Man]

Oops 7 was soares and 11 hall. Both look very decent.

Thought 7 better than 11, but both did pretty well.

Easton looks good with Grant.

Morrocan (?) centre half looked good at times, but made a massive error towards the end.

Overall our midfield looks better than it has in ages, far more balanced.

keeper wise the 1st half keeper did ok, good one on one save. 2nd half the keeper had nothing to do.

Only a friendly so I hope people dont get carried away but far more positive than I thought it would be and crowd warmed and enjoyed it.

 

[simac21]

Been to both friendlys now and quite impressed with team, Moshni at the back is a very exciting prospect. Clohessy looked alright, Ryan hall looks good on ball and def shows an interest in shooting from outside box (Decent corners too), Easton looks decent on ball and in a tackle.
Barry Corr needs match fitness but i think will look okay at league two level.

Trialists def would sign Coughlan and Soares

Merrick James youth team player who came on looks promising

 

[simac21]

Medi Abalimba in first half looked class, controlled midfield for Derby. Shame its for Derby not us, But good luck to the lad!
Bit worried by the amount of managers in the Directors box tonight.
John Ward, Kenny Jackett and Joe Royle to name a few, wonder if there watching Granty really hope he stays

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

Graham Coughlan, what a shocking choice. Shrewsbury let him go because he was too slow! When I saw him last season, I saw why! That said, he looked like an Adam Barrett type player, whole hearted.

He was superb tonight. The sort of centre half we've been crying out for. Didn't look too slow either.

 

[Magnum PI]

Right Match Report Time.

1. Rhys Evans (8) - Beaten for the goal but could do little about it really. Made one great save, then very little to do to be honest
2. Sean Clohessy (6) - Not sure yet, but only just signed. Not sure about his positioning at times, and didnt really support and get forward much
3. Peter Gilbert (7) - Went off midway through second half with a knock and did ok before that
4. Craig Easton (8) - Tough tackling, and led the way with Granty. Calm on the ball. Great acquisition
5. Graeme Couglan (7) - Steady performance. A bit slow at times but great organiser at the back. Not sure who was supposed to be marking Hulse early doors
6. Mohel Bilsni whatever his name is (9) - This fella is the nuts !
7. Louis Soares (7) - he and Hall swapped around a bit on the wings, and looked decent
8. Anthony Grant (9) - has come back better than ever. Him and Easton could walk this division
9. Barry Corr (6) - Didnt really get going tonight, will wait and see if he is up to grade
10. Matt Paterson - (7) - didnt start well but improved, and worked hard. deserved to take penalty and he took it well
11. Ryan Hall (7) - didnt set world on fire, but looks like plenty of ammunition on both wings
17. Harry Crawford (7) - worked hard when he came on and won a fair amount in the air
12. Scott Spencer (7) - loads of effort but should have scored, or at least squared it.
15. Merrick whatsisname (7) - impressive on the ball
16. Marcus Milner? (6) - not enough time
__. Glenn Morris - sorry didnt even realise he came on

I am impressed with what I saw again - not much time to put a team together, but plenty of effort, running, organisation and hope for next season. I cant wait to the new season, just feel perhaps we need a striker ! I dont think Corr, Paterson, Spencer and Sturrock have 20 goals in them !

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Not bad at all tonight considering the level of opposition and the fact we're almost a completely new team. 1st half we didn't really create much and Derby had it under control but they changed their team completely at half-time to a younger, weaker reserve team and we dominated the 2nd half. It was a bit disjoined as you might expect but we played some good stuff. The 2 wingers looked lively, number 11 particularly (I spent most of the game assuming it was Zaaboub then realised it wasn't, was it Soares?). He worked hard and got a few shots and crosses in. Both proper wingers, which we've lacked in the last few seasons. I really hope we sign Soares as he'd be a cracking signing. Grant got stuck in like it was a normal league match, he's going to be a big player for us this season. Wasn't concinved by the defence. Bilel was good in the air and had a good old battle with Hulse in the 1st half but was naive at times, charging in front of his man rather than just holding him up. Almost scored too. I can see him becoming a bit of a cult figure. Coughlan seemed quite rugged and cumbersome, very vocal. Would have to see him again. Clohessy was solid enough, needs to adapt to the higher level of football. Didn't get forward much but he did say in his interview Sturrock likes his full-backs to focus on defending. Corr won a few headers in the air and put himself about, Paterson and Spencer had decent games although Spencer did miss 2 good chances. Merrick-Lewis put himself about when he came on and looks like another youth product with some potential. Can't really judge the 2 goalkeepers (Evans in the 1st half, Morris in the 2nd) as they had little to do. Overall not bad at all and signs that Sturrock is starting to get a team together.

Just a couple of negatives. The marking at corners was bad and Derby could've scored another 2 goals from free headers. And secondly, the ticket office were giving tickets to people who bought them at the ticket office but not to people who paid on cash at the turnstiles. It was sit where you wat but they obviously hadn't told some people who had tickets as I saw at least one group of people telling another group to move as they were in their 'seats'. Caused some confusion and a lot of people only turned up just as the teams were coming out.

 

[Bielzibubz]

Grant was awesome. he was all over the place and you could tell he revels in the free roaming midfield role.

Bilel (sp) tall ugly centre back, also awesome. Got stuck in all over the place and made some very well timed and crucial tackles.

Corr up front, not impressed at all but probably not match fit, Screech changed the game when he came on and found acres of space and made some quite brilliant runs into the channels, one of which led to the penalty.

Easton played the captains role really well I thought. Constantly shouting encouragement to those around him and marshalling the defense when needed.

All in all I'm very impressed with the way in which every single one of them battled for the cause and at times made Derby look quite ordinary.

Keep the faith people. If tonight's performance is anything to go by then we are in for a very entertaining season indeed.

Phil

 

[shrimperian]

Just got back. Brilliant peformance, full of fight and spirit! Seen us take some dangerous corners for the first time in about three years! Looked a bit lead footed up front first half but that got pepped up when Spencer came on. Bilal (?) or whatever his name is was simply astounding! Best centre half on the pitch and not scared of Hulse. Thought Coughlin was a bit weak but both very comfortable on the ball. Worried that Gilbert might of hurt himself colliding with the pitch surround. He went off and when we came out there was an ambulance with lights on heading for the exit!

By this evidence (and admittedly its only a friendly) we are in for a good season! We will not play anyone in this division as technically gifted as Derby and we certainly held our own! Impressed with all......we need to sign Evans and Soares though!

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

The whole game was a breath of fresh air even if it was only a draw.

Was nice to see some fight and commitment on the pitch.

 

[shrimperhosk]

Great TEAM performance first time in a long time the players gave 100% and played with va va voom

 

[Pubey]

awesome-o. Glad people are realising why Sturrock is so highly regarded at his old clubs. At least we don't need to worry on the managerial side of things, sounds like a good performance against a quality opposition.

 

[Blueshrimper]

Was nice to see some players who looked like they wanted to be there!

 

[Gremlin]

Was nice to see some players who looked like they wanted to be there!

Perhaps they have a manager they want to play for.

 

[Smiffy]

Pretty good to be fair. Early days though, but promising on tonight's showing.

Special mentions for Mohsni who won everything, whatever and however. Hall, full of energy and got some good crosses in. Soares looked a real live wire and had a shoot on site policy from the middle (Thought he was a defender?!). Grant, superb (Worried he'll be off)

 

[OldBlueLady]

Very much enjoyed that tonight, as others have said, the players went about their business with intent and commitment. I thought Granty was a little quiet in the first half but that might have been down to Medi, who seems to have come on a lot. 2nd half however was a different story, fantastic play and I just hope the comment he made yesterday to a group of us is not a hint of something that we won't be too pleased about.

Of the newbies, Rhys Evans impressed me, composed and in control in goal, could do nothing about the goal. Clohessey, Easton, Hall, Bilel and Soares all had very good games, Bilel reminded me a bit of Efe at his best - brave and determined, and doing seemingly impossible stuff at times with his head, which, don't forget had a load of stitches in! Corr, Gilbert, Coughlin (sp?) all did well and Paterson and Grant seemed to have found some lost impetus. The subs all played their part too, Screech caused a lot of trouble with his pace, and I think it's also worth commenting that Paterson had done also during the 1st half.

Some good chances, and unlucky not to score a winner.

 

[The Big Shrimp]

He was superb tonight. The sort of centre half we've been crying out for. Didn't look too slow either.

Like Barrett he is a good defender when defending & making takles, but his lack of pace was very noticable when I saw him play against Aldershot last season. The Salopians I know rated him & were sorry to see him go, but realised that he was struggling. Still a good whole-hearted player, from what they tell me.

 

[watchtheballboys]

What a shocker!!!

I must admit this afternoon to being in two minds about going to the match, I honestly felt that we would get stuffed by Derby and it would deepen the gloom I felt about the recent going ons.....

WRONG.....fantastic to be proved wrong, it was a really good performance against a quality side, we showed spirit and commitment to the cause and after the dross of the last few matches of last season I actually enjoyed the whole game!

The goalkeeper in the first half could have been mistaken for Flavs, due to size more than anything, and the defence started a little tentatively then after their goal instead to capitulating the team actually grew in stature with some really great performances especially Bilel at the back and Grant had a super game, even passing the ball accurately!

The midfield looked solid throughout and both wingers really impressed. good crosses and goals will come from them as they are not afraid to shoot.

At the start the defence looked a little shaky and I think both fullbacks looked a little out of touch at times, Clohessy especially being caught too far up field and was turned quite a few times. However he only arrived today so he will improve and some of his no nonsense tackles and clearances were good to see.

Upfront we still look a little lightweight although Corr and Paterson did get an understanding going with some good flick ons, Paterson in particular, although frustrating at times showed some neat touches.

We could have won the game with some very slick wing play culminating, unlike last season with good crosses with people very nearly on the end of them. Spencer should have scored or crossed to Crawford but looked sharp and chased down the ball well.

Very encouraging indeed and although I feel very angry at the way Tilly and the other guys were treated it was difficult to see how any players we had last year would really have improved things for us.

Christophe and Laurent watched the game near us in the East stand and must have wished they had been out there but it would have been doubtful if they would have contributed anything more to the team than the guys already playing.

I will never forget what Tilly did for us but must take my hat off to Sturrock for putting together a team at short notice that played some very decent football, not the long hoof, route one stuff he is known for....

A very surpringly enjoyable evening!

ps.....The crowd was just over 1000 which seems low to me, nearer 1500 I think so Ron, even when away......are you trying to dodge the taxman? Paying cash to enter, no printed ticket? I was told the ticket office needed the tickets they had for the youth tournament coming up........I guess the ticket suppliers have not been paid........very dodgy!!!!!!!!

 

[Bielzibubz]

I said that to a mate sitting next to me (yes I have one!) he reminded so much of Efe, gangly legs flailing in all directions, winning headers he really had no right even attempting to get to and some crunching well times tackles......also the odd horrendous gaff at times too.