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fbm

Blue tinted optimist⭐
Joined
Oct 28, 2003
Messages
10,024
Location
Cloud cuckoo land
The home match against Boston last season was the match when I made my “debut” as an official SZ reporter.  We lost that game 2-0 and the atmosphere afterwards resembled that of a funeral.

Stark contrast tonight – the game had everything and for once the Blues did NOT let a large crowd – 5688 – down.  The atmosphere afterwards was positively buzzing.

Now, first of all, fair play to the lads.  A great battling performance and a deserved victory.  In truth, Southend were out of the blocks quickly and absolutely tore Boston to shreds in the first half hour.  At last we saw glimpses of Grays pace and his was a tremendously hard-working performance.  One such glimpse took him to the by-line after 15 minutes and he hammered the ball across goal to an unmarked Gower, who fired home from 10 yards.  Seven minutes later Bramble played a delightful ball through the defence to Gray who outpaced everyone and coolly slotted past the highly rated Nathan Abbey in the Boston goal.

At this stage it was a case of “How many?” as Boston just simply were not in the game at all.  They were incredibly niggly, and IMHO Jason Lee was lucky to stay on the pitch after catching Prior with an elbow at least twice in the first half.  Pitt threw himself to the ground at every opportunity trying to get free kicks and they weren’t very sportsmanlike either.  Twice Blues put the ball out so their player could get treatment, and Boston failed both times to play the ball back to the keeper, preferring instead to knock the ball into touch for a throw in by our corner flag the first time, and didn’t give the ball back at all on the other occasion!  Southend chased and harried their Lincolnshire opponents and the travelling contingent hardly raised a murmur.  The Roots Hall Roar was definitely back with singing from all sides resounding around the ground.

Then came an incident that changed the game completely.  In the last minute of the first half, Lewis Hunt failed to get a good head on a long ball forward and the ball skimmed off his head and perfectly into the path of a forward who got behind our defence.  Flahavan came racing out, the forward tried to lob him, and Darryl clearly patted the ball down with his hands about 3 yards outside his area.  It was a definite handball, no question, and truth be known I was a little disappointed with Flahavans show of petulance as he walked off the pitch.  The Blues protests were not exactly fierce, and he knew he had handled it.  Jupp then prepared to take the jersey.  However, cue activity from the bench, and Bramble instead was called into goal to do the job.  My belief is that Tilly/Brush were thinking that Darryl had hardly touched the ball, so sacrifice the forward, and keep the defence and midfield the same.  

From the resulting free kick 20 yards out Boston failed to hit the target.  The second half would be interesting.

In the half time interval Tes was out doing some work on crosses.  It was obvious that he was not a keeper.  I was fearful to be honest.

The second half started as if Boston had a 4 man advantage.  Within 3 minutes they had pulled one back.  I have no idea if a proper keeper could have saved it but it was irrelevant – we were simply hoofing the ball out of defence and waiting for it to come back again.  Boston contrived to lose the game as much as we won it.  Their tactics were inept and their shooting worse.  They failed to test Tes at all really, and the defence and midfield sweated blood keeping them out.

After 20 minutes or so we decided that we actually did have 9 outfield players on the pitch and we started to play a bit of football, actually keeping it instead of hoofing it.  The ref made some dodgy decisions, including giving Boston free kicks about 20 yards out in a central position for no real reason.  Twice.  Fortunately they failed to hit the target, which was criminal.  They failed to have a shot at goal from distance, which to be honest I think Tes would have struggled to save.  Then they played 3 up front and just hoofed it centrally to our defenders who headed it clear.  They must have loved it out there, and if I was a Boston fan I would be absolutely livid.

Tes did make 2 saves late on, diving once right and once left to push the ball away for corners.  The ball may or may not have been going in… who cares?  He made the saves.  Well done Tes.

Even their keeper came up for corners in the last couple of minutes but headed wide in what proved to be the last chance of the match.

Before the ratings, a couple of points.

1) It is criminal for Tilly/Brush not to have a reserve keeper on the bench.  I hope that Morgan is signed on immediately, put on the bench for next week and a loan keeper brought in to play while Flavs is suspended.  We got away with it tonight, and you can bet your life we won’t next time.  This must not be allowed to happen again, and in the days of 5 subs, there is no excuse not to have keeper cover.  It is a specialist job, and even an average keeper is better than an outfield player between the sticks.

2) Flahavan is a knob.  He KNEW he was the only keeper, yet he handled the ball outside the area.  It would have been better to have conceded a goal and stayed with 11 men.  We would have won 4 or 5-1, such was our dominance.  Instead he has let us down, and then petulantly thrown his wristbands onto the pitch as he was walking off, having severely abused the linesman for giving a perfectly correct decision.


Ratings –

Flahavan – 2.  See above.

Jupp – 8 – defended manfully and made a couple of good overlapping runs.
Barrett – 8 – Made some crucial interceptions and was totally committed.
Prior – 8 – Won almost everything in the air, including Jason Lee’s elbow
Wilson – 7 – Committed, and made one fantastic tackle late on, but was too keen to hoof it away

Gower – 8 – well taken goal, and again seems back to near his best
Maher – 8 – Some good tackling, and usual commitment.
Hunt – 7 – Made some good passes inside the full back but was partly responsible for the incident where Flavs was dismissed.
Pettefer – 7 – Hard working but lacks that pace to be a wide player

Gray – 8 – Great effort, great pace, great goal and a thoroughly deserved standing ovation when subbed having run himself into the ground
Bramble – 9 – MOM – good outfield performance, and stepped into the breach when required.  He is not a keeper, but stood up to everything thrown at him (admittedly not much) but nonetheless a hero’s performance.

Subs –

Corbett – 7 – On for Gray and provided fresh legs to close down defenders.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (fbm @ Oct. 08 2004,23:39)]2) Flahavan is a knob.  He KNEW he was the only keeper, yet he handled the ball outside the area.  It would have been better to have conceded a goal and stayed with 11 men.  We would have won 4 or 5-1, such was our dominance.  Instead he has let us down, and then petulantly thrown his wristbands onto the pitch as he was walking off, having severely abused the linesman for giving a perfectly correct decision.
Agree 110% - I only hope Tilly sees it the same way and fines Flahavan the maximum possible. We're very lucky that his sheer stupidity didn't cost us tonight.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (fbm @ Oct. 09 2004,00:39)]1) It is criminal for Tilly/Brush not to have a reserve keeper on the bench.  I hope that Morgan is signed on immediately, put on the bench for next week and a loan keeper brought in to play while Flavs is suspended.  We got away with it tonight, and you can bet your life we won’t next time.  This must not be allowed to happen again, and in the days of 5 subs, there is no excuse not to have keeper cover.  It is a specialist job, and even an average keeper is better than an outfield player between the sticks.

2) Flahavan is a knob.  He KNEW he was the only keeper, yet he handled the ball outside the area.  It would have been better to have conceded a goal and stayed with 11 men.  We would have won 4 or 5-1, such was our dominance.  Instead he has let us down, and then petulantly thrown his wristbands onto the pitch as he was walking off, having severely abused the linesman for giving a perfectly correct decision.


Ratings –

Flahavan – 2.  See above.
I usually agree with most of your reports, but sorry the bit I've quoted is some of the worst b0llocks I've ever read on Shrimperzone!

1) The only point I wasn't happy with is Tilly not actually knowing who was going in goal. It did not look clearly decided before the match. Had we have had a reserve keeper on the bench our defenders may not have played out of their skins tonight to ensure they wouldn't have to even relie on Tes. I want Tilly to stick to his guns and get a loan player in, but not to change the bench. That extra one player gives us a lot more options.

2) 'Flav is a knob'?! It was a bloody reflex save. You do not have time to think ''O I'm the only keeper in the squad here, I think I'll just let them chip me and we will the only be 2-1 down" You would then moan saying he didn't make an effort! In life, if someone goes to hit you then you automatically go to block them, its exactly the same for a keeper when the ball comes to them! Saying that we would have still gone onto to win 4-1 is b0llocks as they would have been even more back into the game and they certainly would have preferred the goal than a sending off. Flav was annoyed with himself for his mistake and took it out on the lino. It was just frustration at knowing he had blown an amazing chance to firmly secure his place as number 1.

Sorry, but those comments are so knee-jerk reactions its untrue.

And yes people may think I've written b0llocks, but hey its a game of opinions!

Einstein
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Einstein @ Oct. 09 2004,00:56)]2) 'Flav is a knob'?! It was a bloody reflex save. You do not have time to think ''O I'm the only keeper in the squad here, I think I'll just let them chip me and we will the only be 2-1 down" You would then moan saying he didn't make an effort! In life, if someone goes to hit you then you automatically go to block them, its exactly the same for a keeper when the ball comes to them! Saying that we would have still gone onto to win 4-1 is b******s as they would have been even more back into the game and they certainly would have preferred the goal than a sending off. Flav was annoyed with himself for his mistake and took it out on the lino. It was just frustration at knowing he had blown an amazing chance to firmly secure his place as number 1.
He shouldn't have been there, you don't risk it, you stay in the area and if the worst comes to the worst, they score. We're still 2-1 up and can re-group. By rushing out of the area and jumping with his hands in the air he always risks a red card, knowing full well that he's the only keeper.

Irony of ironies is that we've been saying for years that Darryl needs to come off his line more.....
 
Yes, Flavs reaction was knee jerk and I accept that these things happen... but he was never ever going to get there anyway.

His anger was directed at the lino and may well be borne out of frustration with himself.

However he still handled the ball well outside the area and then as a result we were under loads of pressure when we needn't have been.

I know we can't guarantee a 4-1 but we were so much on top... come on, allow me some artistic licence!


Incidentally, I notice you have highlighted my comments about Tilly/Brush but not referred to it... did you not agree with that as well?
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (fbm @ Oct. 09 2004,02:11)]Incidentally, I notice you have highlighted my comments about Tilly/Brush but not referred to it... did you not agree with that as well?
I did respond to that, but indeed did not agree,

[b said:
Quote[/b] ]I want Tilly to stick to his guns and get a loan player in, but not to change the bench. That extra one player gives us a lot more options.

We were plain unlucky that it happened tonight, but as it was I believe it was the exact circumstances that spurred us onto victory. The defenders did not want the ball anywhere near the goal and put in an absolutely solid performance with Priors best game since he has returned.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (steveh1510 @ Oct. 09 2004,02:00)]By rushing out of the area and jumping with his hands in the air he always risks a red card, knowing full well that he's the only keeper.

Irony of ironies is that we've been saying for years that Darryl needs to come off his line more.....
When he comes rushing out he is not going to be thinking 'I am the only keeper'

And indeed the irony, because if he wouldn't have come out, I would of come on here with people moaning about him staying on his goal line. I just think Darryl can't seem to win with some fans whatever he does.

I certainly do not blame him for the sending off, a keeper is trained in reflex saves and thats exactly what he did.

This happens at every level of football and I clearly remember watching a few prem matches last year with the exact same situations!
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Einstein @ Oct. 09 2004,02:25)]I certainly do not blame him for the sending off, a keeper is trained in reflex saves and thats exactly what he did.

This happens at every level of football and I clearly remember watching a few prem matches last year with the exact same situations!
More important than reflexes to a keeper is decision making.

Darryl made completely the wrong decision. I don't know how you can defend that decision in those circumstances.

Had it been with 5 minutes to go, I'd have clapped him off for helping us to 3 points, but with over half a game to play and with us in total ascendency it was a shocking decision which nearly cost us 2 points.
 
But a keeper knows he can only handle the ball inside his area, and anything that makes him handle it outside is an error of judgement. Of course he isn't going to think "I'm the only keeper" as he rushes out... but he is aware of that prior to the game and you would think he may avoid a situation that results in him rushing out to where he cannot get the ball.

He made an error of judgement, I accept that... but I still think he's a knob...

wink.gif
 
Flahavan will wake up this morning and know full well that he let the side down badly and has no excuses for what he did. I think he should have covered his angles and maybe [just maybe] they wouldn't have scored at all... but as others have said, worse case scenario was 2-1 in our favour at that point!

Tilson will fine Darryl at least 2 weeks wages... what suspension he will get will be another matter! quickly moving on.

Bramble - Hero [I couldn't be more proud of his guts tonight!] and MotM by a country mile!

Gray - I said to my brother in law on the way to the game that he would score tonight [I am rarely wrong!] and he had a great all round game in my view... I think we can say, we still haven't seen the best of him yet! Would have been MotM, had it not been for Bramble's bravery and Darryl's rush of blood!

Gower - great strike [2/3 now] and his confidence is starting to show through now!

One criticism: In the second half we defended way too deep and were inviting trouble... but for Boston's ineptitude in front of goal, we may have been murdered tonight!

Lesson learnt hopefully!

Excellent report FBM!

wink.gif
cool.gif
 
Although, the ref was absolutely shocking last night with a good attendance those 'floating' fans saw enough before the sending off and after it to be tempted to return next week. A superb atmosphere tonight - exactly what Friday night football should be.
Darryl made an error in judgement true - and I for one was extremely worried that Tes took the gloves but the lad was superb in goal, in fact he was more dominant in the air than Darryl with 2 very good punches under pressure
laugh.gif
 
I totally agree with FBM's comments. Let yourself be lobbed and be 2-1 up in a game that we completely dominated and looked like winning very comfortably.

What I didn't understand was most of the fans feeling the need to stand up and applaud Darryl as he left, what exactly did he deserve that for?
rock.gif
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (fbm @ Oct. 09 2004,00:39)]1) It is criminal for Tilly/Brush not to have a reserve keeper on the bench.  I hope that Morgan is signed on immediately, put on the bench for next week and a loan keeper brought in to play while Flavs is suspended.  We got away with it tonight, and you can bet your life we won’t next time.  This must not be allowed to happen again, and in the days of 5 subs, there is no excuse not to have keeper cover.  It is a specialist job, and even an average keeper is better than an outfield player between the sticks.

2) Flahavan is a knob.  He KNEW he was the only keeper, yet he handled the ball outside the area.  It would have been better to have conceded a goal and stayed with 11 men.  We would have won 4 or 5-1, such was our dominance.  Instead he has let us down, and then petulantly thrown his wristbands onto the pitch as he was walking off, having severely abused the linesman for giving a perfectly correct decision.
Tilson and Flahavan let us down but we got away with it.

rock.gif
 
In typical Shrimperzone cobblers comments you all fail to mention the pathetic back pass and the fact that Flavs has done the usual star jump to block off the attackers lob. The ball has hit him on the hand, could have been midrift and you would of all been saying what an important block. Last week man of the match this week slag him off. Just about sums you lot up!
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (wiggy @ Oct. 09 2004,10:32)]In typical Shrimperzone cobblers comments you all fail to mention the pathetic back pass and the fact that Flavs has done the usual star jump to block off the attackers lob. The ball has hit him on the hand, could have been midrift and you would of all been saying what an important block. Last week man of the match this week slag him off. Just about sums you lot up!
In typical wiggy fashion you fail to see past your Flahavan tinted glasses at the fact that he damn near cost us the game!

It wasn't a "pathetic" back pass... it skimmed off Hunts head, and I did comment on it in the report. But it wasn't deliberate.

I've seen the goals on SSN this morning and Flahavan was way outside the area. Any keeper who does star jumps 25 yards out is asking for trouble. If anything I'm surprised that shorty could jump that high...

If he had been lobbed and they had scored, we would all be saying "What the hell was he doing out there?". The guy still had a lot of work to do to score and one of the defenders may have been able to get back and cover.

Sorry, but he was wrong to come out, and wrong to star jump having got there, although I accept that was probably reflex.

But he is still a knob.
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]In typical Shrimperzone cobblers comments

never realised we were Northampton Town fans
rock.gif


[b said:
Quote[/b] ]The ball has hit him on the hand, could have been midrift and you would of all been saying what an important block. Last week man of the match this week slag him off. Just about sums you lot up!

from what I've heard, it could've been midrift, had he been a bit/lot taller.

Yes, some people are probably going over the top in attacking Darryl, but then wouldn't you have done the same had it been a Bart blunder?

Personally, having seen the reply, I think it was a stupid error on Darryl's part, but one that was made by instinct. Take the instinct out of the keeper, and youi're left with nothing. So annoying? Yes. Worth stringing Darryl up for? No.
 
Great report fbm.

I actually clapped Daryl off last night and then had to stop and think why the hell am i doing that, he doesnt deserve it.

I agree with the opinion that he made an error of judgement, and got it spectaculaly wrong. Also i wonder how him not having anything to do for the first 40 odd minutes effected him?
 
As a matter of opinion, I wonder what the reaction would have been if Emberson had done that?

rock.gif
 
[b said:
Quote[/b] (wiggy @ Oct. 09 2004,10:32)]Last week man of the match this week slag him off. Just about sums you lot up!
Flahavan wasn't my man of the match last week. Whilst he pulled off some decent saves late on in the game I was less than impressed by him being beaten by a tame header from 14 yards for number one, and thought he again got caught in no man's land for no. 4 (although Che Wilson's defending was probably more to blame).

In fact I came to the conclusion Flahavan wasn't good enough some time again and I stick by that decision. Sadly Darryl keeps on proving me right.

BTW if we are talking inconsistency I agree Shrimperzone is very inconsistent. One poster made a large bet on Southend to be relegated, then a couple of weeks later made a large bet on Southend being promoted! Unbelievable.
 
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