GK Darryl Flahavan | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 1 | Rating: 7.5 |
Northampton fans must really hate Flahavan who has turned in two really good performances against the Cobblers this term. In the first game between the two sides he saved a penalty from Martin Smith and today Flahavan pulled of a great save from Scott McGleish. McGleish and dubiously broken the offside trap after Lee Williamson had delivered the ball into the penalty area and the former Col Ewe forward was faced with only Flahavan to beat with his head from close range. The header was good but the save even better as Flahavan’s reflexes were tested. Flahavan could do little about the could although the ‘super-critics’ would say that Darryl was out of position as Martin Smith drove the ball into the back of the net. Darryl also enjoyed the goals from Barrett, clenching his fists towards the crowd behind the goal on both occasions. |
RB Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5 |
After turning in a brilliant performance in midweek against Bristol Rovers, Hunt was poor on this occasion. Flahavan gave Hunt the ball rather than kicking it out of his hands, on a number of occasions but Hunt often wasted possession. Hunt rarely ventured beyond the half way line especially in the second half when the wind was significantly against the Shrimpers. Hunt may have also been out of position for the Northampton goal. As the ball ricochet across the penalty area into Hunt’s ‘zone’ Martin Smith had a free shot at goal with no opposition from Hunt or any other Southend player. |
CB Spencer Prior | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5 |
Another player who gave the ball away on far too many occasions and was often undecided as to what to do in possession. Prior was often unsure of what to do with the ball as the wind played a huge part in the game. In the first half any long balls often ran through to the goalkeeper where as in the second half the ball came straight back in Southend’s defence’s direction. When trying short passes Prior did not appear to have the quality to keep the ball. However I’ve seen enough of Prior to know that he is a high calibre player and will have a lot better game than what he did today. |
CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8 | |||
Having not seen Barrett score for a while and missing a good opportunity against Bristol Rovers it was fantastic to watch the local lad nod two into the back of the net from corners taken by Maher and Gower. Barrett must be one of the candidates for player of the season as he increased his hero status with the fans after a match winning goals. |
LB Che Wilson | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5 |
Wilson was probably the best defensive player in the team today and was one of the few players who kept calm as Northampton players closed him down. Wilson also delivered a few balls into the penalty area that could have been dangerous and one of the strikers been in the middle and not out wide themselves. |
RM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5 |
By far and away the hardest working player on the pitch, Petts yet again ran his socks off for the team but found being on the wing a disadvantage. Pettefer is one of the most defensive minded players in the team and it was a major disadvantage today when every attack was important. Pettefer struggles to beat players and his crossing, although improved is often poor. Pettefer did though keep the ball well, a lot better than most of the team. |
CM Mark Bentley | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5 |
Bentley was lacking a lot of energy today and was another player guilty of not keeping the ball. His passing was often wayward whilst he did not go lunging in with his enthusiastic challenges. Bentley also got himself booked stupidly by punching the ball away after the whistle had been blown. |
CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 6 |
Maher has received a lot of praise after his performance today however I disagree with the amount of praise that has been given to the Blues skipper today. I personally feel that Maher was way below his par performances today and that was through his inability to create chances as he usually does. Maher found it hard when Northampton put him and other midfielder under pressure and could not find his man on a number of occasions. Positively, Maher’s set pieces were far better today and one of his corners almost found it’s way directly into the net. Maher’s best corner of the game came for Adam Barrett’s first goal were a flat out-swinging ball was sent onto Barrett’s head. I am very surprised that Maher did not take the final corner of the match that won the game for Southend. |
LM Nicky Nicolau | Minutes on pitch: 65 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5 |
It was a huge surprise to see Nicolau announced in the starting line-up after Gower’s performance in the middle of the week however many fans were fully supportive of the former Arsenal-trainee due to is recent good form. Nicolau though did not have a good game, mainly because he did not get into the game. I can barely remember Nicolau being involved in the play except a few corners that were aimed into the middle of the box nicely. Gower replaced Nicolau in the 65th minute after the fans chanting for ‘Marky Gower’ for quite a few minutes. |
CF Freddy Eastwood | Minutes on pitch: 73 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5 |
It was very hard for Eastwood today with a number of factors contributing to this. Firstly the weather did not suit a skilful footballer as the wind made it hard for any fancy passing and did not create an open game of football. Secondly his forward partner Lawrie Dudfield is too alike to Eastwood and is therefore any ball in the air the two strikers will struggle to win. Thirdly, Southend’s poor performance for much of the match meant that service was limited for Eastwood and he could not get into the game. Although much of Eastwood’s less than average performance was not due to his own doing, I cannot justify giving any more than 5 that has been awarded to the former Grays Athletic hitman. |
CF Lawrie Dudfield | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6 |
After his sensational performance in the week Dudfield did not live up it against his former club Northampton Town. Dudfield also suffered from playing with Eastwood as the combination did not work well. However Dudfield chased the ball down all the time and tried his best against his the Cobblers. One incident involved Dudfield winning a corner after having three opportunities to cross the ball into the box. Dudfield though persisted and eventually won the corner. |
LM Mark Gower | Minutes on pitch: 25 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 7.5 |
Yet again, the difference maker to the game. Gower was the extra edge of class as he has proved to be so many times in his Southend career. Although Gower was not overly involved in play he ran with the ball energetically and completely changed the game when he came on. He also whipped in the great corner that found Barrett’s head for the winning goal. I only hope Gower starts the game on Tuesday night. |
CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 17 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6 |
Gray entered the frame just after the first goal and made a slight difference to the game. I firmly believe that either Gray or Bramble have to play at any one time in order to hold the ball up and help the other striker. Gray did help Dudfield up front and Southend did have their best spell of the game in the final seventeen minutes. However Gray was not directly involved with play and did not create any clear cut chances nor get in any great positions himself. |