Thetownend.com

We've got Power, they've got Ranger.  Make your own joke about a crap tv show from the 90s.

0-2.

Southend have been hit with a few injuries and it's possible Cox may not play today. Ranger has been carrying an injury but came off the bench against Charlton for them.
Head says they will still out play us and turn us over but I'm not listening so will got for a 2-2 draw with The Fonz coming off the bench and finding the net for us and one from Norris too

1-2. Norris for us

Fucking desperate!!  Atkinson will prove a thorn in our side, if the positive Swindon turn up from the first minute we will have a chance, if super coach Williams pre-match talk send them to sleep we could be two goals down by half time!

Were going win 3-1 today att 6893.

1-3 unless their front two are injured.

Drab 1-0 lit up by a 25 yard scorpion kick wonder goal from Norris, who is then bought by the Chinese Super League for a fee thought to be in the region £100 million.

After a brief period in hospital, the chairman states that this is the greatest day in the history of this football club and that funds are in place for the right players should they become available.

Calvin Andrew is signed as a replacement.

 I can't think that we've ever entered the 2nd half of a Div 3 season in my time, in such a desperate state. In both 81/82 and 10/11, we had more points in the bag at the equivalent stage....05/06 would be comparable, as were a point worse off, however a run of 7 games undefeated 2 wins and 5 draws, gave hope (illusory admittedly)

 I suppose the nearest comparison would 00/01, when we had 23 points from 24, then a couple of dodgy results. However Kingy got in Matty Heywood and Michael Reddy in mid Jan. Matty headed the ball and got in the way a bit, like now the sort of thing we needed....Michael Reddy looked good and scored a few early on to get us some momentum. Sadly for Michael he never quite made it and his career was shortened by injury.

 Then like now we're sort of relying on others shitness to keep us up...then Rovers did us a favour.

 I don't expect for a minute Power will get in the experience needed.....but what about Alan McCormack  :hmmm:

I'm in Turkey. We always lose when I'm in Turkey. 0-2

Surely there's time to get a flight back?

Full of meh and giving it a miss....be there Saturday.

I'm not there so hopefully a win....PLEASE!

Big game today. I'd take a draw but expect a loss. Will be interesting to see the lineup today.

There is but fuck STFC quite frankly.

Southend 12 games unbeated in the league, haven't lost since 8th October.

Last 5 away league games they had 3 wins and 2 draws scoring 10 goals scored and only 2 conceded.

Our last 5 homes league games have been 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat with us scoring 8 and conceding 3.

On paper it looks closer than it feels to most Town fans, mostly due to the fact that we have now only won 1, drawn 2 and lost 6 of our last 9 competitive matches.

The County Ground has never been a happy hunting ground for Southend, they have lost their last 4 visits to the CG and have only won 3 times here in the last 29 matches!

That said I just can't see past another defeat, I would be happy with a draw.

6,765 fans there with 761 from Saarfend.

Do you live out there?

selfish bastard

Haha! The long term aim is to so we'll be fucked in 10 years or so!!

I'm taking down the Christmas tree today

That's a good enough reason not to go today!!!

Ditto, and I hate doing that, but it's better than a 5 hr round trip at the moment.

Right 'happy new year to one and all' new year new optomision ,heart not head says my £5 goes on a town 4-0 win@100/1 then with my winnings £100@66/1  4-0 win against the shrews.I always start the new year slightly delusional so why change now

Fast 'n' Bulbous defeat. 2-0 'end.

We'll get spanked 1-4

I feel a goal fest today. 4-3 to the Town. I will be there with my boys. COYR

Following on from Reg's points figures, my pre-season guess at totals had us at this point on 33 and a final of 63. If we get 30 from the remaining games should see us safe but I am certainly not confident. Three today, however it comes would be welcome.

this is a good 'form' site, slightly more optimistic looking at our last 6 home

http://footstats.co.uk/index.cfm?task=formguide

don't look at the last 6 away though!

TOWN STARTING XI | Vigouroux; Furlong, Rossi-Branco, Jones, Brophy; Rodgers, Thomas, Doughty, Goddard; Norris, Obika (C)

Vigouroux; Furlong, Rossi-Branco, Jones, Brophy; Rodgers, Thomas, Doughty, Goddard; Norris, Obika (C)

SUBS | Henry, Barry, Smith, Murray, Stewart, Hylton, Delfouneso.

Not fucking Rodgers!!

Neither am I!

Rodgers in for his free kicks but not much else as a rule I'm depressed now

The Oirish Messi returns.

Doughty and Furlong loans terminated after today

Source?

BBC Wilts.

Hodgetts

That's... not ideal. Holloway's choice?

Yeah recall

Was rumoured a while ago wasn't it? Need for new faces takes on even more importance.

probably been known for a while by the club so hopefully have others ready to come in this week to replace them but also other reinforcements...... gonna have to be a busy week

fuck. just heard about doughty and furlong. fucks sake

we are at last trying today. little quality, very few chances. we look dodgy at the back but Southend yet to create..

they just went close as I type.

Doughty and Furlong!? Fuck...

I don't blame Holloway, QPR are pretty shocking at the minute.

We are royally fucked unless we get some quality in!

With these loan rules, don't we get Compo for a recall unless Power wants some goodwill......shown us fuck all.....

I'm not too fussed about Furlong, hes been dissapointing for me.  Doughty will be a big miss as fully fit he's a fantastic player at this level

Supposedly, won't be made public but hopefully Sherwood has got his wish and got a few players lined up ready for this week and the next 2/3 at a push. I am pretty confident there will be players in as Sherwood wouldn't have come in with such a big fanfare unless he knew he had full control over recruitment.

So. Back to the thread. How are we playing?

Sent from my SM-G935F

as per my post

Just tuned in and all I've heard in the last 3 mins is 'great save by Vigs' and 'tipped onto the post by Vigs' and 'saved by Vigs with two men unmarked in the centre of the box'.

Hockaday 'Can't believe we haven't had a goal as its end to end stuff'

Hylton has been incredibly lively since coming on a few mins ago.

Three shots. One save. One wide. One slice.

Hylton is tearing Timlin a new one....

but final ball has no quality.

Hockaday MoM - The referee!

Well we didnt lose.

FT 0-0

meh.

Happy with a point, Southend decent side on a very good unbeaten run. Got to hope for some decent reinforcements coming in shortly

Lost no ground, made a point better off than Shrews and Berry. Not bad.

7102 648 Shrimps

Clean sheet vs a play off contender.

Stayed just above.

NEED that fresh blood.

No defeat to encourage people for Saturday's game.

A little more composure from Hylton and we nick that. Acceptable performance. Branco  excellent.

Sent from my SM-G930F

Williams:
- Southend didnt look like away team
- They put lots in box leaving us with opportuities
- Both teams deserve something
- Williams preference was to have more control and more time with ball in their area
- 2 x CBs and goalkeeper defended well. Front 2 linked well
- More impressed with opposition
- Energy & committment seen today is expected from Williams
- Too many games where we have been overwelmed which gives impression of not trying.
- More natural to play this formation without Thompson
- Obika & Norris committed to the long ball, physical, holding and flick on play. Both had chances if not clear cut ones. Both helped team to get up pitch
- Majority of players formation suited. Everyone looked comfortable with diamond
- Kasim still nursing injury. Ankle too sore and swelled for complete training session
- Furlong & Doughty to QPR. Huge loss. Greatful to have had them.
- Doughty plagued by injury. Frustrating for him and us.
- Rhys Sharpe. Always going to be an extended trial. At this time both parties need to think about their respected future (Sounds as if he wont be kept)
- Barry back from injury.
- Indications of new faces? Very confident we will have new players. Don't know when, but sooner rather than later. Williams will be told when it becomes relevent to him.
- Shrews next. Will be important as its a 6 pointer. Both will be fighting. Need same level of effort as today.

We need at least 2 new players just to get back to the lack of strength that we've endured this season. 

As more or less all the other strugglers got a point, it's very much as you are....still well and truly in the mire.  THe next game up is a massive 6 pointer....it's one we simply have to win, so not ideal going into it with a much reduced squad.

Would have thought it would be natural to play that formation WITH Thompson - then he can play RWB.

An enjoyable 0-0 that, could've easily finished 2-2 or 3-3 given the amount of chances created by both teams.

The last 20 mins was like a cup final, end to end.

A draw a fair result and would've taken that prior to kick off.

A frustrating, low quality game that got a bit better from the about the 65th minute. Nobody will be rubbing their hands with glee at that game.

However we have to put it into context. We worked hard and tried our best to press and frustate the opposition. All the things we as fans expect at a minimum.

Yes the defence is still dodgy, thank fuck Southend only had a couple of "run at them" moments when Ranger came on - this is where we are most vulnerable, at other times we defended well. Contradictory, well yes but that's how it is.

Going forward we were quite poor for most of the match. Norris looks good up to the box but doesn't really cause a threat in it - unless you are the Stratton Bank clock. Obika looks more threatening but fluffed his lines when they appeared.

Doughty and Goddard were starting to dictate when the latter was replaced by Hylton. Hylton himself injected pace and enthusiasm and left you wondering why he wasn't introduced sooner! Then he missed the target from the edge of the box, harsh criticism but I'm using it as an example as why I'm not convinced he'll be a Town player past this season.

So a good battling point, ugly yes, but who gives a shit about pretty football when you are just 3 points away from the zone.

We now have a bit of a problem with Kas' injured and Doughty being recalled. Yeah, we will get more players in, I know, but ...Ollie you utter turd muncher.

Thought the first 70 minutes were dross. The final 20 really entertaining. Yet again our midfield was shite. Thomas and Murray yet again showed why Rogers gets in the starting XI despite being shite. Branco was immense today. Seems to prefer a back 4. Vigs was brilliant. Some great saves in the 2nd half. Brophy and Goddard tried to get the ball forward. Obika was poor first half but very good in the second. Can't see why Williams thought obika and Norris linked up well as they were fucking miles apart and no midfield to fill the gap. Hilton had a great cameo 10 minutes.
Saturday is now very important.

Pal of mine was there and felt encouraged.

He also went to Dongs and wanted to leave at 2 zip.

BIG old game on Saturday.

We could have easily won or lost that. Draw was fair.

Special mentions to Vigs, Norris and Furlong who played very well. Brophy gives us more on the left.

I missed the franchise game, but today we looked a 100 times better than we did at Millwall on Boxing Day. I enjoyed the game, quite a few chances for both teams and we played with more urgency and speed than I've seen in a while.

Centre halves did really well today, particularly Branco who was excellent. When NT is fit, would only consider him at right back (or even as a defensive midfielder?).

A good game but you do have to exclude some of Branco's horrible distribution, including a punt 30 yards away from any red shirt, a pass to no one across the face of the back four and a hopeless ball yards behind Rodgers which gave Southend a very easy chance to attack the defence. Because aside from that, he did well.

First half I thought was poor, ref was a total cock!  Game got going a bit after an hour or so, either side could have won it on chances created but not taken.  Vigs was quite rightly in my opinion given mom for some good saves (especially the double one) but his distribution was woeful.  Plenty of energy from Town but little quality on view. Bet Williams regrets not introducing Hylton 15 mins. earlier.  Will we miss Doughty and Furlong?  Super coach was giving Barry the big one in his interview so i guess he takes over in defence on Saturday.

Were excellent at heading away, tackling and blocking.

The few times Southend ran at us, we looked like we'd crumble. The defence can't cope with movement. Thankfully it wasn't exploited.

Totally agree with this. Thompson at RB would be the way forward for me. A new experienced CB to play alongside Jones or Branco plus a LB would be 2 of the priority positions I would be looking to fill. Brophy could then be used further forward, negating him of any defensive responsibilty, & we could then afford to bin the woeful BOO.

I would rather see Nathan at RB as it is his natural position and it can't have passed Sherwood by that we do look more solid with a flat 4 rather than 3 centre backs and 2 wingbacks.

I like Brophy on the wing but he is in no way a LB so filling that spot is a priority transfer IMO with another CB, hard working CM and a quick (and or) big CF.

Does anyone else think that we make substitutes too late in games? Thomas was a passenger all game, could and probably should have been pulled off at half time?

Southend, on the other hand, were very proactive with their subs

Seeing Thompson on the pitch for 90 minutes would be a start, until that can happen regularly his position is probably irrelevant.

*Jeez was half an orange at best in my day.

* With thanks to Stan Bowles.

Apparently, Sherwood did the same at Villa. Never used his subs til late in games...

TBF, it very nearly paid off. Hylton should have done better with the chance he got.

Oh I thought you meant gave them a hand shandy at half time? :D

Thomas has to be the worst ever midfield player we have had if any of you went to MK on Friday although the whole team were shocking for the first 30 minutes you wouldn't even know Thomas was playing. He offers nothing as a player in fact he makes Rodgers look good. Thomas for his size cant head a ball - cant tackle - doesn't intimidate his opponent - useless at passing and how this guy has managed to play league football is an absolute joke. If we persist with him in midfield then god help us because he is fucking useless. 

Did he sleep with your wife or something?

Adrian Bakali, Gareth Whalley, Ryan Harley to name but three who were worst. I don't really rate Thomas but you sum up a lot of our fans being over dramatic with short memories.

As with many of our players, Thomas has got gradually worse as the season has gone on.....  Of last year's intake, the likes of Barry, Brophy, Iandolo and I suppose BOO, got themselves up to a near league football standard, from a very low base, but have all regressed.

You could argue that Norris is showing some improvement with 2 goals in 4 games, but it would have been hard for him to get worse.

The older heads like Nathan, Yaser and NSSJO have also deteriorated.  Vigs is the only one properly improving.

well Reg tell me what Thomas gives the team I want to be enlightened - hes not a box to box player - hes' not a defensive midfielder because he cant tackle - head the ball and useless at passing. He's not physical in any way - he's easily beaten and seems to be one paced like Rodgers.

i'm trying to think what he's good at to me he is stealing a living as a professional footballer and I'm glad he only has a 12month contract and I don't think je will be here next season but could be shipped out to play in LP's Irish team as I cant see any team ever coming in for him over here he is that bad.

Norris has improved he looks fitter and works hard and his first touch has improved and now our top scorer but needs to hit the net more and would have yesterday if Obika had squared it to him instead of wanting to be the hero and shooting himself and blazing over the bar.

Thomas is total crap and I find him really annoying that he shows no commitment on the pitch or any desire whatsoever.

Pretty sure he's got a 3 year deal. Agree that he is poor though & seems to not really be effective in any one position, not good enough to be a CB or CM imo. I'd play Tom Smith ahead of him & Rodgers.

Correct.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36707240

Bad news for you I guess is that he is on a three year contract.

Think that the club took a punt on him in the hope that he could show the form that earned him the move to Liverpool.
He was a trialist in the summer before signing, so the club must have seen something in order to offer him a three year deal.

Trouble is, with the polish 'em up and sell them on policy, actual team building becomes almost secondary.

Granted that Connor Thomas hasn't set the world alight in his time here so far, but good job he could fill in at CB when needed early in the season.

I believe he is supposedly more of a number 10 which is a role he hasn't had any opportunity to play since joining us?

Where have you heard this? I can't imagine him playing anywhere further forward than defensive midfield!!

I thought it was from one of Alex Cooke's pieces on the Washbag but I can't seem to find it.

I'm now thinking I'm completely wrong!

Michael Pook.