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Blue tinted optimist⭐
BLUES GO FOURTH AFTER SADDLERS STROLL
Well, stroll might be too strong a word for what on paper was only a 1-0 victory but in reality Southend put on their best and most entertaining performance for many weeks as they totally dominated Walsall at Roots Hall today.
The fact that the scoreline wasn’t more emphatic was down to the post, the crossbar and a superb display by vistiing keeper Clayton Ince, who was only beaten by his own carthorse defender who formed half of possibly the worst professional central defence pairing I have ever seen.
Blues were quicker all over the pitch than their visitors and won every 50/50, 60/40 and even 70/30 challenge. Flahavan didn’t have a save to make all game and it was a mystery how Walsall were even in the same league. In the first half especially Blues approach play was delightful with quick one touch football ripping the visitors defence to shreds. Cross after cross rained in but unfortunately there was rarely a Blue head anywhere near where the ball was landing.
Walker nearly opened the scoring midway through the half when he raced clear and shot past Ince but the ball hit the post.
Barrett and Francis both had decent headers that fizzed inches over and Gower, back to his best, took the ball across goal and unleashed a thunderbolt from 20 yards that Ince superbly tipped onto the underside of the bar although it looked as though the ball may have crossed the line when it bounced down, but no goal was given and any claims were muted. This came after a slick passing move that must have been nearly 20 passes and Walsall had no answer.
However, with the game still goalless at the break one couldn’t help wonder whether we would end up losing as a result of failing to capitalise on our dominance.
Two minutes into the second half the wondering ceased. Another fine move that saw Gower involved 3 times ended with a precision ball inside the full back to Mulgrew who put a low ball into the box. Barnard was never going to get anywhere near it but, as he does, he made every effort to stretch and put the defender under pressure and it worked. The carthorse of a centre half tried to clear but only succeeded in putting the ball into his own net. 1-0
Walsall rallied briefly but Southend still had a good grip on the match. Francis produced a great save from Ince following a 25 yard thunderbolt and the keeper made another fine save from McCormack when he was clean through.
At 1-0 though, the game is never safe and there were a few heart stopping moments near the end when Walsall forced 2 or 3 corners but the Blues held firm and go up to fourth in League one, with the play offs looking very good indeed.
RATINGS
Flahavan – 6 – Had nothing to do.
Francis – 8 – Super game, has now really settled and is starting to really shine at right back. Fantastic shot in second half.
Mulgrew – 8.5 – Best game yet and set up the goal. Distribution generally very good.
Clarke – 8 – You know what you get. Passionate celebration at the end in front of the West. Made several excellent changes.
Barrett –8 Same as Clarke and is skippering the side well.
Gower – 9 – This was Gower at his best. Was unlucky not to have scored with a great shot from outside the box.
McCormack – 7.5 – Got a knock in the first half which slowed him up for a while. Should have settled in when clean through on goal.
Bailey – 8 – For once outshone by more than one player but he still put in a good performance and sprayed the ball about well.
Black – 7 – Better than of late but he should be doing much more than he actually is.
Walker – 7 – Seemed to want too many touches at times and doesn’t often make the right choices when deciding what to do with the ball. But was a real handful at times.
Barnard – 8.5 – Chased lost causes and pressed defenders into making errors. Their defence struggled to cope with him.
Subs –
All late changes – Moussa for Gower, Grant for Black and Scannell for Barnard. All subs 6, didn’t get involved enough to make an impact.
Ref – don’t know his name but pretty good I thought. 7.
Well, stroll might be too strong a word for what on paper was only a 1-0 victory but in reality Southend put on their best and most entertaining performance for many weeks as they totally dominated Walsall at Roots Hall today.
The fact that the scoreline wasn’t more emphatic was down to the post, the crossbar and a superb display by vistiing keeper Clayton Ince, who was only beaten by his own carthorse defender who formed half of possibly the worst professional central defence pairing I have ever seen.
Blues were quicker all over the pitch than their visitors and won every 50/50, 60/40 and even 70/30 challenge. Flahavan didn’t have a save to make all game and it was a mystery how Walsall were even in the same league. In the first half especially Blues approach play was delightful with quick one touch football ripping the visitors defence to shreds. Cross after cross rained in but unfortunately there was rarely a Blue head anywhere near where the ball was landing.
Walker nearly opened the scoring midway through the half when he raced clear and shot past Ince but the ball hit the post.
Barrett and Francis both had decent headers that fizzed inches over and Gower, back to his best, took the ball across goal and unleashed a thunderbolt from 20 yards that Ince superbly tipped onto the underside of the bar although it looked as though the ball may have crossed the line when it bounced down, but no goal was given and any claims were muted. This came after a slick passing move that must have been nearly 20 passes and Walsall had no answer.
However, with the game still goalless at the break one couldn’t help wonder whether we would end up losing as a result of failing to capitalise on our dominance.
Two minutes into the second half the wondering ceased. Another fine move that saw Gower involved 3 times ended with a precision ball inside the full back to Mulgrew who put a low ball into the box. Barnard was never going to get anywhere near it but, as he does, he made every effort to stretch and put the defender under pressure and it worked. The carthorse of a centre half tried to clear but only succeeded in putting the ball into his own net. 1-0
Walsall rallied briefly but Southend still had a good grip on the match. Francis produced a great save from Ince following a 25 yard thunderbolt and the keeper made another fine save from McCormack when he was clean through.
At 1-0 though, the game is never safe and there were a few heart stopping moments near the end when Walsall forced 2 or 3 corners but the Blues held firm and go up to fourth in League one, with the play offs looking very good indeed.
RATINGS
Flahavan – 6 – Had nothing to do.
Francis – 8 – Super game, has now really settled and is starting to really shine at right back. Fantastic shot in second half.
Mulgrew – 8.5 – Best game yet and set up the goal. Distribution generally very good.
Clarke – 8 – You know what you get. Passionate celebration at the end in front of the West. Made several excellent changes.
Barrett –8 Same as Clarke and is skippering the side well.
Gower – 9 – This was Gower at his best. Was unlucky not to have scored with a great shot from outside the box.
McCormack – 7.5 – Got a knock in the first half which slowed him up for a while. Should have settled in when clean through on goal.
Bailey – 8 – For once outshone by more than one player but he still put in a good performance and sprayed the ball about well.
Black – 7 – Better than of late but he should be doing much more than he actually is.
Walker – 7 – Seemed to want too many touches at times and doesn’t often make the right choices when deciding what to do with the ball. But was a real handful at times.
Barnard – 8.5 – Chased lost causes and pressed defenders into making errors. Their defence struggled to cope with him.
Subs –
All late changes – Moussa for Gower, Grant for Black and Scannell for Barnard. All subs 6, didn’t get involved enough to make an impact.
Ref – don’t know his name but pretty good I thought. 7.
