Hawkwell Blue
Manager
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2003
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This is from today's Guardian........great line "Melancholy is second nature to them"
Southend enjoy rare optimism
Southend are hoping this year could be third time lucky. After two defeats at the Millennium Stadium in a little over 14 months, in the past two LDV Vans Trophy finals, Steve Tilson's team return to Cardiff in more optimistic mood.
Having squandered an automatic promotion berth, a feeling of anti-climax had descended on Roots Hall, but this victory has greatly alleviated any such apprehension.
Tilson said Southend will not let the size of the stage affect them on Saturday. "It's just another game, although it's a big arena," he said. "We've just got to do what we normally do."
This was a hard-fought victory that will stand them in good stead for the challenge that Lincoln City present. "They are a strong side," said Tilson. "Big and physical, with three giants at the back."
More than physical attributes will be needed against Lincoln, though, and Tilson knows it. "We need to keep the ball a bit better," he said.
Northampton's manager Colin Calderwood was upset his side lost by such a narrow margin but praised Southend. "They have been right at the top of the league for most of the year," he said.
That is why Southend will be favourites to win in Cardiff - but their fans will not be over-confident. Melancholy is second nature to them.
This season brought their first top-ten finish since 1991. Southend's most recent memories of anything that could be termed success was during a spell in the old Second Division in the early 1990s.
That was followed by a spec tacular fall from grace, so their supporters could have been excused for fearing the worst in the play-offs. Fortunately the team seems to have rediscovered their resilience.
This may have been scrappy but Southend must be given credit for taking the single opportunity presented to them, as Freddy Eastwood scored with a penalty following Chris Wilmott's foul on Mark Bentley. Then they gave no quarter as Northampton looked despairingly for an equaliser.
"Obviously it was a crucial spot kick," said Eastwood. "I thought 1-0 was going to win the tie with it being such a tight game."
Apart from that moment, there was precious little to shout about at either end, other than Scott McGleish's goal-bound which brought out an outstanding save from Southend's Darryl Flahavan.
Man of the match: Nicky Nicolau (Southend United)
Southend enjoy rare optimism
Southend are hoping this year could be third time lucky. After two defeats at the Millennium Stadium in a little over 14 months, in the past two LDV Vans Trophy finals, Steve Tilson's team return to Cardiff in more optimistic mood.
Having squandered an automatic promotion berth, a feeling of anti-climax had descended on Roots Hall, but this victory has greatly alleviated any such apprehension.
Tilson said Southend will not let the size of the stage affect them on Saturday. "It's just another game, although it's a big arena," he said. "We've just got to do what we normally do."
This was a hard-fought victory that will stand them in good stead for the challenge that Lincoln City present. "They are a strong side," said Tilson. "Big and physical, with three giants at the back."
More than physical attributes will be needed against Lincoln, though, and Tilson knows it. "We need to keep the ball a bit better," he said.
Northampton's manager Colin Calderwood was upset his side lost by such a narrow margin but praised Southend. "They have been right at the top of the league for most of the year," he said.
That is why Southend will be favourites to win in Cardiff - but their fans will not be over-confident. Melancholy is second nature to them.
This season brought their first top-ten finish since 1991. Southend's most recent memories of anything that could be termed success was during a spell in the old Second Division in the early 1990s.
That was followed by a spec tacular fall from grace, so their supporters could have been excused for fearing the worst in the play-offs. Fortunately the team seems to have rediscovered their resilience.
This may have been scrappy but Southend must be given credit for taking the single opportunity presented to them, as Freddy Eastwood scored with a penalty following Chris Wilmott's foul on Mark Bentley. Then they gave no quarter as Northampton looked despairingly for an equaliser.
"Obviously it was a crucial spot kick," said Eastwood. "I thought 1-0 was going to win the tie with it being such a tight game."
Apart from that moment, there was precious little to shout about at either end, other than Scott McGleish's goal-bound which brought out an outstanding save from Southend's Darryl Flahavan.
Man of the match: Nicky Nicolau (Southend United)
