Southend v Swindon Town offical matchday thread

[Batch]

Must have been an improvement if we didn't lose! All very well saying Vigs was busy but that's his job.

He was applauded off by the home fans - so he must have been a class above normal keeping last night.

[Peter Venkman]

166 were great, it's the rest of us that didn't that are poor, but then it's to be expected at the moment.

Well said.

[Reg Smeeton]

Must have been an improvement if we didn't lose! All very well saying Vigs was busy but that's his job.

Strangely, there are 9 teams who have let more goals in than us - unfortunately, there are only 3 that have scored less.

Although we're not great at the back, it is the lack of goals which is more of a problem. 

I don't think a battling point has suddenly turned us into an effective unit, we've had other useful points on the road this season. It has however stopped the rot of supine capitulations, for now at least.

[Panda Paws]

SJO's return is a huge boost - keep him out there playing most weeks and that's a massive lift for this side.

So under Tactics Tim, we've had one outstanding performance, one horror show and a battling, fortunate draw. Four points from those three games feels about right coming into them.

Still think it's so early to have any real opinion on TS and the new set-up, but last night should hopefully keep some of the slightly more knee-jerk moaners at bay for a week. Massive game Saturday now.

[Peter Venkman]

Having a "fit" Beaker is akin to having a million pound new signing up front IMO.

[Batch]

Still think it's so early to have any real opinion on TS and the new set-up

Absolutely, though I do find it frustrating that he's quietly going about his business and hiding from the media/dugout.

Mainly because I think the fans needed a proper clean start, as do the players. Everyone needs to be pulling in the same direction.

But hey, it may work yet.

[Reg Smeeton]

SJO's return is a huge boost - keep him out there playing most weeks and that's a massive lift for this side.

So under Tactics Tim, we've had one outstanding performance, one horror show and a battling, fortunate draw. Four points from those three games feels about right coming into them.

Still think it's so early to have any real opinion on TS and the new set-up, but last night should hopefully keep some of the slightly more knee-jerk moaners at bay for a week. Massive game Saturday now.

I don't see it as massive....think we'll be saving that epithet, for six pointers as the season progresses.  Realistically, it's unlikely we'll beat Bradford, of course doesn't mean it can't happen, just that indicators suggest otherwise.

The last time Bradford won here, was in the 2005 relegation season we were undone by the sprightly pairing of Claridge and Windass. Kingy responded to going 2-1 down by bringing on Christiano Roberto, I recall the Welsh Wizard going on a  trademark mazy dribble, towards his own goal, and thinking he seems pissed and doesn't know which way we're playing. A sudden realisation gave the ball away and we were 3-1 down. Kingy got sacked and Roberts ended up in the Sporting Chance Clinic.

[Don Rogers Sock]

Sorry if i missed it but any highlights up

[Peter Venkman]

Sorry if i missed it but any highlights up

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/10668439/southend-1-1-swindon

[Peter Venkman]

Bit short highlights though!

[Don Rogers Sock]

Cheers mate

[Peter Venkman]

For those that are interested in the opposition view of the game, here are some comments from the Saarfend forum.

MAN OF THE MATCH : Lawrence Vigouroux 9 - The save from Wordy's effort was right in front of us and was extraordinary. He also pulled off a string of other saves in that last 15 minutes.

OVERALL : They defended like their lives depended on it at the end and how we didn't score is beyond me, but we should have gone for them like that in the first 20 minutes of the second half and killed the game.


Swindon started well and were passing it around nicely until we scored. Thought their big centre-half Rossi-Branco played particularly well and unsettled Nile with his dark arts. However, this was a game we really should have won but we strangely played without much urgency until they equalised. Delfouneso's incredible miss really should have woken us up before Obika's goal. Thompson went AWOL on Saturday trying to chase down balls in the opposition half (but luckily Atkinson was covering for him on Saturday) and this time we paid the price for his folly. The introduction of Fortune certainly galvanised us and nearly led to what would have been a deserved winner for our efforts in the last ten minutes but Vigouroux was certainly vigourous in his defiance and saved the point for the plucky visitors. Good finish, disappointing outcome.

Some of the best goalkeeping and defending by an opposition side at Roots Hall for many a game. We only woke up after the equaliser and when we did we looked like a Championship side. Phil... free the shackles!

Second half, and shades of Saturday as we sat back and invited Swindon to come at us as we settled for hitting them on the counter. If you sit back long enough, something bad will eventually happen, and sure enough Swindon equalised. Ironically they managed this after breaking out from one of our counter attacks led by Thompson!! Their goal was the signal for us to do the battering bit and we duly laid siege to their goal for the last 20 minutes. A combination of over excited shooting, a knackered Ranger running out of steam, and most importantly a Swindon keeper in inspired form kept us out.

What an absolutely brilliant performance by Swindon's goalkeeper, without any shadow of a doubt it was his performance that prevented us from getting the win that we probably deserved. Must have been about 5 top drawer saves, plus managing to clear a goal bound shot off the line ourselves and a penalty not given when Woody was bundled over meant that Swindon walked away with a point from a game we should have won.

Well done to Swindon for great defending and great work rate

We chucked the kitchen sink at Swindon in the last 20 minutes and only an inspired goalkeeper has denied us 3 points

[JoeMezz]

Good to hear us defending with that level of intensity, feel it's been missing for a while.

Got to say though, our demise in 2 years is remarkable. Gone from bossing teams all over the park to having to defend for our lives for a POINT at Southend...

[suttonred]

A Southend that is above us now, and been in a higher league than us? Maybe we haven't got worse, the other sides have gotten better? Except i do know we have got worse

[Flashheart]

Good to hear us defending with that level of intensity, feel it's been missing for a while.

Got to say though, our demise in 2 years is remarkable. Gone from bossing teams all over the park to having to defend for our lives for a POINT at Southend...

Yes. Because good teams never have to fight for a point away from home.