What a game to go to my first Town game of the season! I thought Southend thoroughly deserved their win, but what was more annoying was that they weren't that great, but they were an organised, tidy team that appeared to know what they were doing. Sadly, we weren't
(My ratings)
Heaton - 7. Looks a very good prospect. He commanded his box well and made 2 excellent stops from dangerous Maher free kicks (The guy put in cracking delivery all game). Kicking wasn't great, but better to put the ball out of play than straight to a striker!
Smith - 6. I liked the look of Smith. I assume that he is another right footed player playing on the left wing? (A la Duke). He is much better than Duke and looked confident on the ball. Stupid booking at the end of the game.
Ifil - 5. Thought he was quite poor. Obvious blistering pace but sometimes has to use this because of mistakes. Has potential to be a solid centre back.
Collins - 6/7 - I was impressed with Collins. Looks a decent centre back and good skill to set up our goal.
Gurney - 5. Can't remember much from Gurney apart from a stupid foul which led to a booking and missing a sitter from 3 yards. Seems odd to have a loanee as captain.
Nicolau - 6. Worked quite hard but crossing was pretty poor.
Whalley - 5. Frustrating as he looked in small patches like he can be a player. Better than Hewlett but that wouldn't be hard.
Migz - 6. Obvious that this bloke is different class. Showed good composure in the centre of the park but dallied on the ball a bit in the second half. We need him to stay fit.
Pook - 4/5. Not a right winger but I thought he was better in the first half than the second. Thought he was woeful in the second half and struggled to show even the basic footballing ability when he tried to control a throw in and the ball ran out of play. Not impressed. Did try hard and never let his head go down.
Fallon. 7. Did well up front, effectively on his own in the first half. Good flicks and control on his chest and good use of the ball with his feet. Seems much improved on the last time I saw him. Deserved his goal (was it offside?) but maybe should have had a hat trick.
Cureton 3 - Too lightweight and generally not very good.
Subs.
Shakes 5 - First 2 minutes I was wondering how this guy made it as a professional footballer!! After that, he settled down and was fairly dangerous down the right wing. Electric pace!
Thorpe 6 - Pick of the subs. Made more of an impact in first 2 minutes than Cureton did in the whole half. Seemed to link up with Fallon much better and looked pretty confident. Should start next game.
Roberts 4 - Apart from 1 decent run when we were chasing the game, hardly touched the ball.
Crowd was poor today, Southend made a bit of noise, but the Townend was quieter and emptier than I am used to!
Good scoreboard and spotted the Townend ad, very swish!
Southend will do quite well this season, their number 6 played well, and Maher puts in some wonderful crosses with his right foot.
Sadly, we are going to struggle. We have a decent squad but they seem to be underperforming. What are we going to do in January when our 52 loanees are returned. Where was Mcdermott today? He has to be better than Pook!
