The Abuse of Paul Smith Tonight

[TrueBlue]

I decided to do the same last night as well. Infact, we actually moved to sit in top of block U (?) as W block just seems to be a place where we just take the **** out of players and opposition fans. It was a laugh when I was 16, but I think I've grown out of that now. South Upper for future home games for me.

Yet it's people like you who we need with that attitude to turn it around, stay and change things

 

[Blues 'n twos]

Was setup by smiffy to support the team, it still does and it still supports the team well, it's all well and good Discussing on SZ if you want to make a difference come down and support the team

I SUPPORT home and away, and have in the past supported your efforts with trying to improve the atmosphere at the Hall, but last night the focal point of W block was abusing one of our own, and I wont be any part of this, and neither should you. Where were the chants for replacement defenders? Oh we dont have any, because Dan Bentley is so loved Smith was an easy target, and was treated disgracefully end off!!

 

[TrueBlue]

I SUPPORT home and away, and have in the past supported your efforts with trying to improve the atmosphere at the Hall, but last night the focal point of W block was abusing one of our own, and I wont be any part of this, and neither should you. Where were the chants for replacement defenders? Oh we dont have any, because Dan Bentley is so loved Smith was an easy target, and was treated disgracefully end off!!

I have no doubt you don't support the team but I am just one person I can't make our fans be positive every second of every game, throwing away a 2-1 lead did not help in the slightest

 

[Pubey]

God forbid Bentley gets injured.

 

[Blues 'n twos]

Surely when we go behind is when we need the support more??

You are a prominent figure at games, you have put yourself there no one made you do what you do, and like I have said I have applauded your efforts in the past, but when you go off on one, others follow ( mainly young uns ) so whether you like it or not you have an influence, make it positive.

 

[shrimpled]

I actually thought Smith was having a more than decent game until the 4th goal. His distribution was very good and he came and took a couple of corners which was something he was given stick for not doing last season. For the fourth goal the Daggers player had a free shot 6 yeards out, thats not Smith's fault although he shoud have held it, and for the 5th I heard him call 'Keeper from the east and Prosser nodded it back to where he wasn't. Again, not Smith's fault but he should have held it. The vilification he received for 2 mistakes is embarassing, although not unexpected. Unfortunately for Smith, when keepers make mistakes they rarely go unpunished. He's a good goalkeeper and deserves our support.

 

[mrsblue]

The abuse of our own players is tiresome and unwanted,Sadly this will never change until the club bans the offending fans.

 

[Rayleigh Shrimper]

Feel sorry for Smith he maybe didn't have his best game last night but some people are very very quick to forget just how quality a goalkeeper he is games coming to mind Brentford away in FA cup and Orient away in JPT last year. His performance in that orient game probably got us to Wembley yet some people don't remember that. The fact that we have conceded from a set piece again is a major worry and something we need to sort out quickly .

 

[Pubey]

Feel sorry for Smith he maybe didn't have his best game last night but some people are very very quick to forget just how quality a goalkeeper he is games coming to mind Brentford away in FA cup and Orient away in JPT last year. His performance in that orient game probably got us to Wembley yet some people don't remember that. The fact that we have conceded from a set piece again is a major worry and something we need to sort out quickly .

Good point well made.

 

[Silencer]

Smith is poor and clearly lacking confidence (yet again), but the abuse doesn't help anyone

 

[Jai]

God forbid Bentley gets injured.

Sorry but I don't agree with this. Aside from a couple of mistakes, Smith was a worthy number one last season and some of his individual performances went beyond excellent. Orient and Brentford are two cases in point. He has not become a bad goalkeeper overnight.

I just think it's a shame he will always feel nervous in front of his own fans, which I realise now may have been your point - in which case apologies

 

[mrsblue]

I find it comical that the police can order Tottenham fans not to say that certain word yet fans can call players virtually any vile name they choose and nothing happens.

Southend probably has 200 big gobs at home games and if these were either forced to moderate their behaviour or face long bans the atmosphere would be vastly improved.

 

[Pubey]

Sorry but I don't agree with this. Aside from a couple of mistakes, Smith was a worthy number one last season and some of his individual performances went beyond excellent. Orient and Brentford are two cases in point. He has not become a bad goalkeeper overnight.

I just think it's a shame he will always feel nervous in front of his own fans, which I realise now may have been your point - in which case apologies

Sorry, I didn't make the point very clearly. I'm more than happy with a confident Smith as competition to Bentley (personally I don't think there's much between them when they're both on form). However I'd really worry for Smith if he was having to play week in week out and subjected to the abuse he apparently got last night.

Poor guy.

 

[Rayleigh Shrimper]

Good point well made.

Smith is a top keeper on his day , I would love to see how the response would of been if it had been Bentley in goal and he had made the same mistakes as Smith did.

 

[Silencer]

Sorry but I don't agree with this. Aside from a couple of mistakes, Smith was a worthy number one last season and some of his individual performances went beyond excellent. Orient and Brentford are two cases in point. He has not become a bad goalkeeper overnight.

Smith was certainly not a worthy number one last season in my opinion and the opinion of many others. He spit the opinions amongst Southend fans but for me he cost us numerous times and only seem to improve after 'that' Brentford performance.

Two stand out performances do not make a season - Bentley all day for me and if he gets injured for a long period of time, get in a loanee (if we can).

All opinions though!

 

[united we stand]

thank god we weren't in the North Bank last night !

 

[Jam_Man]

Smith is a top keeper on his day , I would love to see how the response would of been if it had been Bentley in goal and he had made the same mistakes as Smith did.

They would have blamed Straker.

Wasnt at the game nor seen the goals yet so cant comment on the performance, but there have been plenty of times Bentley hasnt come from crosses that Smith would have got slaughtered for.

Smith gets marked down for saving a penalty with the "wrong hand" and Bentley seems to get the benefit of the doubt. Football fans are a funny lot.....

 

[* ORM *]

The abuse of our own players is tiresome and unwanted,Sadly this will never change until the club bans the offending fans.

Or stops persevering with crap players like Barrett. :happy:

Question that's not clear to me. Was the abuse in the ground from TBV or more general?

I'm trying to think back to North Bank days. I really can't remember perpetual scapegoats but I'm pretty sure dissent amongst the ranks would have been shot down in flames. Or do I need to take rose tints off

 

[Harry Bullocks]

I have followed the Shrimpers for over 40 years and struggle to recall any instances in the past where a constant stream of abuse to any player(s) would have been tolerated?

Why now??

It does the team and the players no good at all...drains confidence, increases fear/dread factor....

The rationale that "I've paid my entrance money, so I can say/do what I like", is probably acceptable for anyone aged 14 or under...

 

[mrsblue]

I have followed the Shrimpers for over 40 years and struggle to recall any instances in the past where a constant stream of abuse to any player(s) would have been tolerated?

Why now??

It does the team and the players no good at all...drains confidence, increases fear/dread factor....

The rationale that "I've paid my entrance money, so I can say/do what I like", is probably acceptable for anyone aged 14 or under...

Some of the fans treat match day as one massive pee up consuming copious amounts of booze whilst probably snorting crap up their hooter resulting in watch me ain't I clever scenario.