fbm
Blue tinted optimist⭐
BLUES DRAW BLANK BUT STOP THE ROT
Prior to tonights match, my own view was that it was imperative not to lose again so any sort of result would be a positive. This was aside from my own optimistic opinion that we would win a comfortable 3-0 of course.
Chesterfield are one of the divisions form teams and would be sure to put up a decent showing. However, it was Blues who started strongly and dominated early possession without actually creating any clear cut opportunities. Steve Tilson fielded an unchanged line up and Shaun Goater started the match like a man possessed. Maher looked back to his best and Gower was giving his full back a hard time. Everyone looked on top of their game and Blues were quicker to every ball and winning all of the 50/50's. It took 20 minutes however before the first shot in anger came, an effort from Freddy that fizzed well wide. Campbell-Ryce was putting in a tremendous amount of effort, especially defensively, and both full backs were much better than they had been on Saturday in the cup.
The first half however produced little in the way of goalmouth action, although Freddy had the games best chance when he fired narrowly wide from 15 yards after a patient passing move. Goater, despite starting well, had deteriorated and really was not getting anywhere at all against his marker.
The second half saw the intoduction of Gray for Goater and Lawson for Gower. Presumably both players were injured, otherwise it was an incredibly brave double substitution. Almost immediately however Gray made an impact and Southend looked a more potent attacking force. Again, they had the better of the opening exchanges but Chesterfield pressed well. The first 10 minutes of the second period produced error after error for both teams, as each midfielder seemed to take it in turns giving possession away. Then the ball broke for Jay Smith who had a shot that cleared the crossbar. Almost immediately Chesterfield started to get the upper hand and created a clear cut chance that really should have been converted. A good move saw Derek Niven set up 10 yards out but he shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
Campbell-Ryce then was put clear but shot across goal when he could have taken it in further.
Midway through the half Southend upped the tempo and a short passing move saw Maher set up in the box but his low shot was easily saved. But shortly afterwards Chesterfield again cut Blues open and really should have scored when Wayne Allison sidefooted towards an empty net but missed by so much that the ball didn't go out of play, and the forward who received the ball and shot wide was offside.
James Lawson then cut in from the left and hit a shot that was deflected just wide.
It was all Southend but Chesterfield were defending manfully and closing down at every opportunity. However, both Wayne Gray and Lewis Hunt were set up in identical positions, about 12 yards out on the right and at an angle of about 45 degrees to the goal, and the keeper denied them on both occasions.
There was lots of huff and puff from Southend but the ball didn't run for them and they didn't get the ball into the box enough. Campbell-Ryce seemed to lose confidence as the game progressed and spent most of the second half only 3 or 4 yards away from Lewis Hunt when he should have been running into the space behind the full back. Bentley came on for an off colour Jay Smith but couldn't make much of an impact. There was plenty of goalmouth action but to be honest a goal never looked likely. Still, for the first time since the 0-0 draw against Scunthorpe last season at the Hall, 33 league games ago, Southend have had a no-score draw in the league and the losing streak has been halted. For those who believe in omens, the Scunny result was the pre-cursor to our run of 9 unbeaten league matches that cemented our play off position. I'd take that again. Bring on Bradford for hopefully our first "double" of the season.
Ratings:
Flahavan - 7 - Had little to do. Came for a couple of crosses and looked assured.
Hunt - 8 - MOM - Much better than last Saturday. Should have scored his first Southend goal but was denied by the keeper. Hardly put a foot wrong.
Wilson - 7 - Again, much improved display from last Saturday. More like his early season standard.
Barrett - 7 - A good game from him, and made one crucial (if a touch lucky) block in the first half
Prior - 6 - Not one of his better games. Distribution worse than normal. Still, doesn't shirk responsibility and looked solid with Barrett.
Gower - 7 - I would think he was injured when subbed as he was one of the better first half players. We look more dangerous with him in the side.
Smith - 5 - Poor game from Jay. The class he possesses was just not evident. Still, I remember it took 3 or 4 games when he came back from injury last time for him to start looking the part.
Maher - 7 - Much better although seemed to do his best to give the ball away in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Nearly got his first of the season.
Campbell-Ryce - 7.5 - Had he not tailed off in the second half he would have probably got MOM. However, he frustratingly stuck too close to Hunt and failed to go past his man and deliver a cross... is this a confidence thing? Got unwarranted abuse and criticism IMHO from the West stand. Defensively his work is solid and he lends much to the team in that department.
Goater - 4 - Started ok but quickly faded. Where is his next goal coming from?
Eastwood - 6 - Had 2 or 3 chances and didn't make the keeper work. Was getting frustrated late on.
Subs -
Gray - 7. Surely must start on Saturday. Looks much more potent than Goater at the moment.
Lawson - 7 - Some good stuff but must toughen up a bit. Knocked off the ball too easily.
Bentley - 6 - Struggled a bit but if Gower is injured I'd like to see him start v Bradford wide right.
Ref - G Hegley - 8 - best ref I've seen this season. Let the game run and played advantage well. Seemed to have the players respect as there wasn't any dissent or backchat.
Prior to tonights match, my own view was that it was imperative not to lose again so any sort of result would be a positive. This was aside from my own optimistic opinion that we would win a comfortable 3-0 of course.
Chesterfield are one of the divisions form teams and would be sure to put up a decent showing. However, it was Blues who started strongly and dominated early possession without actually creating any clear cut opportunities. Steve Tilson fielded an unchanged line up and Shaun Goater started the match like a man possessed. Maher looked back to his best and Gower was giving his full back a hard time. Everyone looked on top of their game and Blues were quicker to every ball and winning all of the 50/50's. It took 20 minutes however before the first shot in anger came, an effort from Freddy that fizzed well wide. Campbell-Ryce was putting in a tremendous amount of effort, especially defensively, and both full backs were much better than they had been on Saturday in the cup.
The first half however produced little in the way of goalmouth action, although Freddy had the games best chance when he fired narrowly wide from 15 yards after a patient passing move. Goater, despite starting well, had deteriorated and really was not getting anywhere at all against his marker.
The second half saw the intoduction of Gray for Goater and Lawson for Gower. Presumably both players were injured, otherwise it was an incredibly brave double substitution. Almost immediately however Gray made an impact and Southend looked a more potent attacking force. Again, they had the better of the opening exchanges but Chesterfield pressed well. The first 10 minutes of the second period produced error after error for both teams, as each midfielder seemed to take it in turns giving possession away. Then the ball broke for Jay Smith who had a shot that cleared the crossbar. Almost immediately Chesterfield started to get the upper hand and created a clear cut chance that really should have been converted. A good move saw Derek Niven set up 10 yards out but he shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
Campbell-Ryce then was put clear but shot across goal when he could have taken it in further.
Midway through the half Southend upped the tempo and a short passing move saw Maher set up in the box but his low shot was easily saved. But shortly afterwards Chesterfield again cut Blues open and really should have scored when Wayne Allison sidefooted towards an empty net but missed by so much that the ball didn't go out of play, and the forward who received the ball and shot wide was offside.
James Lawson then cut in from the left and hit a shot that was deflected just wide.
It was all Southend but Chesterfield were defending manfully and closing down at every opportunity. However, both Wayne Gray and Lewis Hunt were set up in identical positions, about 12 yards out on the right and at an angle of about 45 degrees to the goal, and the keeper denied them on both occasions.
There was lots of huff and puff from Southend but the ball didn't run for them and they didn't get the ball into the box enough. Campbell-Ryce seemed to lose confidence as the game progressed and spent most of the second half only 3 or 4 yards away from Lewis Hunt when he should have been running into the space behind the full back. Bentley came on for an off colour Jay Smith but couldn't make much of an impact. There was plenty of goalmouth action but to be honest a goal never looked likely. Still, for the first time since the 0-0 draw against Scunthorpe last season at the Hall, 33 league games ago, Southend have had a no-score draw in the league and the losing streak has been halted. For those who believe in omens, the Scunny result was the pre-cursor to our run of 9 unbeaten league matches that cemented our play off position. I'd take that again. Bring on Bradford for hopefully our first "double" of the season.
Ratings:
Flahavan - 7 - Had little to do. Came for a couple of crosses and looked assured.
Hunt - 8 - MOM - Much better than last Saturday. Should have scored his first Southend goal but was denied by the keeper. Hardly put a foot wrong.
Wilson - 7 - Again, much improved display from last Saturday. More like his early season standard.
Barrett - 7 - A good game from him, and made one crucial (if a touch lucky) block in the first half
Prior - 6 - Not one of his better games. Distribution worse than normal. Still, doesn't shirk responsibility and looked solid with Barrett.
Gower - 7 - I would think he was injured when subbed as he was one of the better first half players. We look more dangerous with him in the side.
Smith - 5 - Poor game from Jay. The class he possesses was just not evident. Still, I remember it took 3 or 4 games when he came back from injury last time for him to start looking the part.
Maher - 7 - Much better although seemed to do his best to give the ball away in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Nearly got his first of the season.
Campbell-Ryce - 7.5 - Had he not tailed off in the second half he would have probably got MOM. However, he frustratingly stuck too close to Hunt and failed to go past his man and deliver a cross... is this a confidence thing? Got unwarranted abuse and criticism IMHO from the West stand. Defensively his work is solid and he lends much to the team in that department.
Goater - 4 - Started ok but quickly faded. Where is his next goal coming from?
Eastwood - 6 - Had 2 or 3 chances and didn't make the keeper work. Was getting frustrated late on.
Subs -
Gray - 7. Surely must start on Saturday. Looks much more potent than Goater at the moment.
Lawson - 7 - Some good stuff but must toughen up a bit. Knocked off the ball too easily.
Bentley - 6 - Struggled a bit but if Gower is injured I'd like to see him start v Bradford wide right.
Ref - G Hegley - 8 - best ref I've seen this season. Let the game run and played advantage well. Seemed to have the players respect as there wasn't any dissent or backchat.
