Duffers' Marks Out Of Ten

GK Darryl Flahavan | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 2 | Rating: 6.5

To be honest, there was absolutely nothing Flav’s could do about either of Nathan Lowndes’ strikes, and if the Blues defence had been awake from the first whistle in the game, maybe Darryl would have had a clean sheet by the end of it. Flahavan was in typical acrobatic form – his two saves from Danny Sonner were truly outstanding – but for the most of the second half, he was rarely tested and hopefully the former Woking stopper won’t have much to worry about on Tuesday night either.

RB Duncan Jupp | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Overall, not a bad display from the former Wimbledon right back, but due to his calamitous error for Port Vale’s second goal, a ‘6’ has to be his mark out of ten. A long ball cross-field from Vale right-back George Pilkington was misjudged by Jupp, leaving acres of space for Michael Cummins to run into before delivering the cross for the goal. However, Jupp did the right thing and forgot about his error, and his game picked up, with the odd darting run in the second half and some firm tackles made, however, from time to time Juppy’s passing was a little wayward, but I suppose that was no different to any other player in a blue shirt in the game.

CB Spencer Prior | Minutes on pitch: 75 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Not the best performance in Spinner’s illustrious career, but probably not the worst either. Spinner was quite good in the air as you’d expect, but at times he was a bit slow on the floor and his distribution was sometimes poor. For example Prior was very slow to close down Lowndes for Port Vale’s first goal. Don’t get me wrong – it wasn’t a disastrous game for the former Manchester city defender – it just seemed as though he should have done better at times. However, I am sure Spinner will be back to his dependable and strong self for the Bradford game on Tuesday night.

CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

As with Spencer Prior, Barrett didn’t have an excellent game, but certainly didn’t look out of place against League One strikers, which is exciting news for Southend fans. Although Barrett was rarely a threat in attacking positions, he did have one or two surging runs forward to try and give the team a lift and also started the move that ended with a Wayne Gray goal. Basildon born Barrett won his fair share of headers and, on reflection, had a reasonably good game.

LB Che Wilson | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

A solid performance by the left-back, and maybe now he has proved everybody that said that he may not be capable of playing to this standard wrong. Although slightly shaky towards the start of the game, Wilson eventually got a grasp of the game and played some nice passes as well as winning some good tackles. In fact, the former Norwich City man almost stopped the opening goal with a superb lunging tackle on Nathan Lowndes. Hopefully Wilson will be able to maintain this good standard of form; otherwise a new left back will be needed.

RM Luke Guttridge | Minutes on pitch: 55 | Gls: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

A fairly quiet performance from the former Cambridge United winger, who was quite unfortunate to be honest as the ball was mainly being played wide to the left when he was on the pitch. Guttridge showed some nice touches when he was on the ball, but never really seemed to create many chances, and was replaced after 55 minutes by fellow winger Mark Gower.

CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

CM Mark Bentley | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 |Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

A good show from Bentley. The powerful midfielder was very effective for the Blues; I don’t think he actually lost a tackle all day. And you can see the former Aldershot man has worked hard this summer – he was everywhere – in attack, defence and obviously the centre of midfield, Bentley’s work rate was outstanding. I was very surprised with how quickly Beno adapted to the pace of the game to be quite honest; don’t forget that it was only about a year and a half ago that Bentley was playing conference football with Dagenham and Redbridge. Excellent stuff and a man of the match award would have been given if it wasn’t for the form of Maher.

LM Mitchell Cole | Minutes on pitch: 82 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5.5

Some may say that 5.5 is a little bit harsh on Cole, but I felt that he was just a little bit out of his depth at times. There is no doubt the effort was there – Cole was always looking for the creative option – but his defensive duties were poor to say the least. What’s more is that Cole’s delivery wasn’t that great – most of the time the ball ended up bouncing off of a defender and straight back to him but he should not be to downhearted, after all I’m sure he has the talent to play at this level I just think he needs time to adapt.

CF Freddy Eastwood | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Gls: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Freddy showed flashes of the goalscoring touch he had last season. He didn’t get too many opportunities, but that was probably due to the good marking of the Port Vale defence, and you just felt that, even if someone gave him half a yard he would score out of nothing. However, it was not to be Freddy’s day, but I am sure once he and Shaun Goater get their partnership up and running, the goals will start to fly in.

CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

I suppose the only thing that will really be remembered is that superb bicycle kick that Gray scored in the 72^nd minute, and that all the rest is irrelevant. However, I think that prior to that incident, Gray looked in Kevin Duffill’s words ‘out of his depth’ at times and was constantly failing to hold the ball up in the first half. He didn’t win that much in the air either which was quite frustrating, whilst he really should have earned the Seasiders a point in the last minute when he shot straight at the goalkeeper with the fans on their feet. Anyway, I suppose it’s a bit early to start judging players, so I’ll look at the positives: a superb goal and a nice celebration too!

RM Mark Gower | Minutes on pitch: 35 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 7.5

This is much better. We are beginning to see the Mark Gower of old, with full of tricks, nice crosses and some crowd pleasing runs forward. Maybe I’m being over enthusiastic, but I think on reflection of the superb effort and skill shown throughout his 35 minute stint on the pitch having replaced Luke Guttridge, Gower should be started on Tuesday night against Bradford. Also worth thinking about is the excellent driven cross for Wayne Gray’s wonder goal.

CB Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 15 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Took the place of the injured Spencer Prior with 75 minutes on the clock, Hunt looked composed in central defence and hardly put a foot wrong. At the time, Southend were pushing on for an equaliser, so Hunt didn’t have too much to do but when he did have any problems, he averted them well. Hunt could start on Tuesday if Spinner isn’t fit enough to play.

LM James Lawson | Minutes on pitch: 8 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Although he didn’t have much time to impose himself on the game, I felt that this was a decent enough eight minutes from the 18-year-old and if he is needed in the future then Steve Tilson should not hesitate. Lawson could well start some matches this season and looks an exciting prospect for the future.