Let's talk about the Southend Game

[vaya]

We were talking about it on the way back to my car but how on earth has Rowe's shot gone in? one of the tamest efforts I've ever seen and quite a few of the Southend players just seemed to look at the ball as if they were watching a dog preparing to have a shite on their rug with no time to shoo it outside.

Went to the toilet when he hit it, just got back in time to see it hit the back of the net. The only thing I've seen on a pitch slower than that was Denis Souza.

[vaya]

100% agree with Crawford, he showed little glimpses but quite clearly was off the pace, could either be down to his injury or adapting to English football.

For those who didn't go, if you though Marquis was a handful wait until you see Wilks...

For 'handful' read 'like watching someone play pass the parcel with a hand grenade'

Showboating's all well and good, but if two of your new teammates have a quiet word word with you about it, probably time to turn it down a notch or two.

Undeniably entertaining to watch though.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

We were talking about it on the way back to my car but how on earth has Rowe's shot gone in? one of the tamest efforts I've ever seen and quite a few of the Southend players just seemed to look at the ball as if they were watching a dog preparing to have a shite on their rug with no time to shoo it outside.

One of the funniest things I've read on here.

Still laughing 5 minutes later.

[ditch_drfc]

Observations from yesterday's match:

1) Wilkes is a massive wind up merchant. But I only noticed him doing it after he scored the goal, before that he was quite quiet. Should've squared to ball to Marquis for a fourth goal at the end, bit selfish to try and take the keeper on. If he can channel his energy he'll be a fantastic player for us

2) Wilkes and Kiwomya swapping wings with Marquis in the middle worked really well. Gave much needed pace and attacking threat and support to Marquis

3) Marosi had an incredible day, we genuinely would've been 4 or 5 down at half time without him. Some incredible saves that kept us in the game.

4) Jury is still out on Rowe as captain for me. Yes he scored a (v lucky) goal, but I personally didn't see him step up as a leader on the pitch. But it was only the first match.

Very entertaining match, glad we hung on for win!

[Campsall rover]

I did see Rowe showing leadership. He was doing quite a lot of talking out on the pitch. His work rate second half was the best I have seen.
Led by example in that respect also.

[Dare to dream!]

I thought Rowe did excellent as captain, lead by example when it got tough and had a word with Wilks when he was getting too cocky telling him to calm down. Showed more leadership in that game than Coppingers reign.

[selby]

  One of the biggest problems in this system is Coppinger, when we kicked off he was out wide right, and did not see a lot of the ball.
  for the last quarter of the first half he came inside and got on the ball a bit more and  we got into the game. the same after half time until he went off, and C
Crawford as well, forcing us on the back foot again, and not keeping the ball, resulting in their come back.
  The pairing of Blair and Whiteman gives us mobility and pace, but both players are fairly poor in the air and have a heavy first touch controlling the ball, and are not great tacklers,passers of the ball, or natural defenders,and are at their best further forward. We were hanging on when they were together in the last quarter of an hour, which was all right as a spectacle but no good for the blood pressure.

[Campsall rover]

My blood pressure is still way up and it is almost 24 hrs since the start of the match. Great entertainment but 46 of them will be dangerous to the health. UNDERSTATEMENT OR WHAT ?

[RoversAlias]

I did see Rowe showing leadership. He was doing quite a lot of talking out on the pitch. His work rate second half was the best I have seen.
Led by example in that respect also.

Agreed, he took control of the side in the second half and was a big part of why we won. Many of us said Ferguson failed to get the best out of him by sticking him out on the left a lot when he can have a big influence in the middle of the park and we saw that yesterday.

[Chris Black come back]

Interesting that last season we opened at home and drew nil all with Gillingham, with pretty much same side. Only players odd were Mandeville and Blair - and Blair actually came on vs Southend anyhow b