Donohue's Marks Out Of Ten

GK Bart Griemink| Minutes on pitch: 85 | Goals Conceded: 0 | Rating: 6.5

An afternoon for where Bart did not have one save to make. All of Notts County’s six attempts were off target. Bart was sent scurrying to his left as County line leader Gavin Gordon headed against the post. I’m sure if the attempt had of hit the target then Bart would have had it covered. Griemink’s kicking has far improved this afternoon as the PFA Player of the Month found his efforts far better directed. Griemink’s afternoon was overshadowed by an injury that lead to him being substituted after a mix up that lead to a Southend free-kick. As Darryl Flahavan replaced it is yet to be known how long the Dutch stopper will be out for.

RB Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

No complaints with Hunt’s performance today as he continues to settle into his right back position. Described by a fellow supporter as ‘find of the season, putting Hunt right back’ Hunt’s defensive qualities show as the back four chalked up another good clean sheet. Hunt often found himself in a number of attacking positions, often ahead of Pettefer. Hunt linked up well with Gower when he moved into the right midfield position.

CB Spencer Prior | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Back into the side in place of Andy Edwards, Prior was influential, as his defensive line control showed. A few dodgy controlling touches was Prior’s main problem on a day were he made few mistakes. Keeping the visitors, to just six total goal attempts, was an achievement for the defensive, especially Prior who will probably keep his place for the away game against Mansfield in seven days time. Edwards will probably find himself playing in the Essex Senior Cup tie against Canvey on Tuesday night. The Little Gazette will, of course, be providing programmes for the South Essex affair.

CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Motm: It was a difficult decision to give a Man of the Match award today as no Southend player really excelled. As the match went on I was hoping that one of the Shrimper’s could get their name on the score sheet, making it an easier decision for myself. For a brief second I thought that Barrett had done this as he headed pass a hapless Saul Deeney. However referee Kevin Wright blew up against Spencer Prior. In fairness Wright was, excuse the pun, ‘Wright on the spot’ and therefore arguments were kept to a minimum. Despite this the frustration and disappointment could be felt all around Roots Hall.

Other than the ‘goal’ Barrett was again very good as he notched up his sixth TLG MOTM award of the season. He chased the ball in attack whilst being solid as ever in defence.

LB Che Wilson | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

More of the same from Wilson, as the left sided defender done pretty much what he always does. Obviously complaints can’t be levied towards his defensive game as a clean sheet was kept; There were no real mistakes by any of the defenders. In attack he linked up with Nicolau well and put a couple of dangerous balls into the penalty box. A problem that does remain with Wilson is his distribution as he gives the ball away on too many occasions.

RM/CM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Another solid performance from Pettefer. The hard tackling performer found himself again in a number of attacking situations and although he put a few good crosses into the box he often found himself settling for the second best option, which was often, cannoning the ball against the defender and winning a corner. Moving into central midfield Pettefer looked far more at home where his hard tackling paid dividends and his bad deliveries where not found wanting.

CM Mark Bentley | Minutes on pitch: 70 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

A quite game for Bentley who didn’t grab hold of it in his usual manner. Although he again went in hard, a fantastic asset to the team, when in possession Bentley wasn’t quite up to scratch. In attack Bentley often has a presence and guile to his play that he failed to get hold of on this occasion. Bentley often found himself in attacking positions in the penalty area although, unfortunately for the former Dagenham man the ball simply wouldn’t drop. He found himself substituted on seventy minutes.

CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

In open play you could have little moans with Maher’s play. As ever the play went through ‘Captain Fantastic’ which meant the County defence found itself more than stretched as the football found itself distributed to the wings via Maher. However Maher’s set pieces where simply awful as many failed to clear the first defender. Southend had numerous corners on Maher’s side and he failed to make the most of them which was not expected as the majority of the skippers thirteen assists have come from dead ball situations.

LM Nicky Nicolau | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Another player who’s usually good set pieces were way below par. Like Maher many failed to clear the first defender however Nicolau did find the head of Adam Barrett on one occasion. Unfortunately, as previously mentioned as Barrett found the net Prior was adjudged to have aerially fouled a Magpies player. Nicolau offered a lot on wing and found himself in two good goal scoring opportunities, only to be foiled by Deeney. Priced at 33/1 with Pridmore Bookmakers, Nicolau certainly would have been the popular option to score with me!

CF Lawrie Dudfield | Minutes on pitch: 78 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

A frustrating afternoon for Dudfield who tried his best but uncharacteristically looked lethargic. However Lawrie didn’t give up until he was substituted in the seventy eighth minute and yet again chased everything. Dudfield’s major asset was his ability to beat defenders however he seemed afraid to shoot and often passed where a little bit of greed would have been necessary.

CF Freddy Eastwood | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5

Eastwood’s worst performance in a Southend shirt in my opinion. I suppose I can’t moan too much with the former Grays striker as his goals have turned this season into a really great one. However today people sitting around me would have heard some uncomplimentary comments aimed towards Eastwood. Today, his passing was very poor and his control let him down on a number of occasions. At times where you expected him to pass he shot and at time where you expected his to shoot he did so poorly. I’m sorry to be so critical of Eastwood as he has been an absolute revelation at Southend however today he simply wasn’t at the races. Although Eastwood can provide something special when needed I would like to have seen Eastwood substituted instead of Dudfield.

RM Mark Gower | Minutes on pitch: 20 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Gower was a breathe of fresh air in the last twenty minutes as Southend looked their most creative. Gower, looked very fit although I’m sure that easing him back gently is the correct thing to do. Not afraid to take players on, the Edmonton born winger put a number of good crosses into the box. Unfortunately for him no-one could get on the end of the balls into the penalty area.

CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 12 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 6

Twelve minutes for Gray who was a little harshly dropped. Although he ran hard I can barely recall him having a proper run with the ball. Personally I would like to see Gray recalled to the team for the game against Mansfield.

GK Darryl Flahavan | Minutes on pitch: 5 | Goals Conceded: 0 | Rating: 6

Only on the pitch for five minutes, after replacing Griemink 5 minutes before the end of the game, Flahavan had no saves to make. Flahavan dealt with back passes well and sent them well into the opposite end of the field. Not that much to say about Flahavan although it will be interesting to see who plays in goal in the next game. The Darryl versus Bart debate is set to continue.