Mark Gower was one of the few to show any commitment
I have always enjoyed writing for The Little Gazette, but tonight my heart is simply not in it. I feel sick and numb, but most of all I feel totally let down, as I’m sure the rest of the crowd did tonight, by a squad of players who like to think of themselves as professionals. Well, I’m afraid that’s trash, and if every single one of them isn’t looking hard at themselves tonight for their reprehensible performance, then they don’t deserve to play, even at our standard.
I shouted myself hoarse for the whole of the second half, so much so that I’m sure that I heard more than one person wish that I was strangled. I don’t care – I was trying to encourage a team that quite frankly could not fight their way out of a wet paper bag. It was pathetic. To be 23rd in the table and looking to climb out of the mess is acceptable. To be 23rd in the table and not be bothered is totally deplorable. I feel offended by some people out on that pitch tonight.
Kevin Maher likes to think of himself as captain. Well, he wears the armband and does the toss (no pun intended) but that’s where it stops. I have defended Maher in the past couple of weeks as people question his ability to lead the side. I cannot do that tonight – it was a sham, and when the chips were down, Maher would rather have been in the Fish House. He sauntered around the pitch and showed more speed running off of the pitch than he did whilst on it for 94 minutes.
Talking of getting off the pitch – why didn’t Drewe Broughton make more of an effort to get off when he was subbed for Tesfaye Bramble. He seemed to be milking the situation rather than running off and trying to let someone else have a go up front. We weren’t one-nil up – it was the other way around. Not that Drewe was the worst player on the park – at least he won his fair share of headers – and not even close.
Apart from the aforementioned Maher, Jay Smith’s involvement in the match was thankfully cut short at half-time. Since his injury he has been hot and cold, and today it was freezing. Smithy undoubtedly has talent, but he wasn’t up for it for whatever reason, and if he’s not, then why should he stay on the pitch? Michael Kightly came on in his place, and what a terrible situation to be introduced. Young Kights was way out of his depth, and it took half-an-hour for him to find a blue shirt. But at least he was trying.
Another person who tries 100 per cent is Neil Jenkins. But where was he? At least I suppose he was on the substitutes bench rather than in the stands. But when you need someone to fight for you, Jenks is the man. To not hand him a spot in the second half is inexcusable. Instead we had to put up with the likes of Maher and Leon Constantine.
Flahavan possess a sickening amount of contempt for the club
And Darryl Flahavan. He reckons that he loves the club and its fans. Well try signing your contract before saying things like this. Show some commitment to the club and help us out of this mess. And while you’re at it, go to some shouting lessons. After Saturday’s Macca own goal, I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. When Leon Cort headed the ball out of his hands early in the second period it became clear that really his communication has not improved a jot over the summer.
So Steve Wignall’s head is now firmly on the block. Just how close to the sack he actually is we may never know. But I for one don’t blame him. He has tried to get a formation (
But the main problem with Wignall’s
This lot were supposed to be fighters. We weren’t supposed to see the ridiculous laziness of
So the season is precariously balanced. Lying in 23rd, we might stay there. If we do, I wonder if there will be a club next season. And I believe that Geoffrey King and Ron Martin are on holiday. Why, oh why, are they on holiday at this moment in time? This club might just be suffering it’s worst ever season in the Football League. Well, the worst start that I can remember anyway. And the two figureheads of the board are sunning themselves. That is shameful.
But it is no more shameful than the team on the night and to a certain extent the manager’s tactics. Beaten by two sloppy goals – the first deflected off Dave McSweeney’s backside and the second saw another lack of communication between back four and goalkeeper (bring back Emberson anyone?) – and another team pull clear. Another three points are up for grabs on Saturday at Macclesfield in that clichéd six-pointer. Will the Shrimpers be up for it anymore? I’ve already told co-editor Mark Wallis that I’m looking forward to the Youth Cup more than the next few League fixtures. I think that’s saying something. But it won't stop me supporting the team.
Robert Craven’s Man-of-the-Match: You must be having a laugh.
Player Ratings (4-4-2 – well that’s what they were supposed to play): Darryl Flahavan 4; Duncan Jupp 5, Leon Cort 5, Jamie Stuart 6, Dave McSweeney 5 (Michael Husbands 6); Mark Gower 6, Kevin Maher 2, Jay Smith 3 (Michael Kightly 46, 5), Jamie Fullarton 6; Leon Constantine 4, Drewe Broughton 5 (Tesfaye Bramble 4). Subs not used: Carl Emberson, Neil Jenkins (why not?).
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com
(P.S. a mention to Amy, the BlueBelle who myself and former TLG sales executive Daryl Addington met on the train back northwards at the end of the night. That cheered me up – a bit!)
(P.P.S. “Fight for it, Blues”)
(P.P.P.S. I mentioned on another Southend United website that I didn’t want to hear the C-word. It’s spelt C…O…N…F…E…R…E…N…C…E Maher, Wignall et al, and it’s where we’re heading if we don’t get better than this pathetic shambles)