Donohue's Marks Out Of Ten

GK Darryl Flahavan | Mins on Pitch: 90 | Goals conceded: 3 | Rating: 7

Not a bad game for Flahavan by any stretch of the imagination but conceding three goals against Southampton will not have pleased the small stopper. In fairness none of the goals were really his fault. Although Flavs would have liked to hold the ball on the first goal the power of the header made it very difficult. The second goal goes down purely to bad defending whilst their was a massive slice of luck for the third goal. Despite it being a great night for Darryl the result will be one for him to forget.

RB Lewis Hunt | Mins on Pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

A pretty ‘Joe Average’ game for Hunt where he done everything he should as a right back without ever setting the world alight. There are certainly no qualms about him playing at right back, in fact it may well be Hunt’s best position although he is certainly a versatile player.

CB Adam Barrett | Mins on Pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

MOTM: Great performance from Barrett as he showed commitment, good awareness and great footballing ability. On numerous occasions Barrett went running with the ball, twisting and turning through the Saints to the delight of the home supporters. Additionally, the man who was presented with the PFA Player of the Year 2004/2005 award threw himself in front of every ball that came his way. An inspirational performance in the midst of a shaky defence.

CB Spencer Prior | Mins on Pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating:7

In the midst of a poor defensive performance it seems strange to rate the two central defensive players and the goalkeeper highly. However justifying Prior a seven seems the right thing to do as the veteran defender done all he could do to prevent the Shrimpers from defeat. Solid is probably the best, albeit the most monotonous word to describe Prior as very little got past him. In fact first goalscorer Dexter Blackstock was kept quite for the majority of the night despite getting on the score sheet.

LB Che Wilson | Mins on Pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Another who failed to feature in the game particularly well. However he did begin to form a partnership with Mitchell Cole, which is promising considering the lack of width Southend tend to have. Wilson did not make any individual errors although he was part of a team that conceded three goals, two of which were very sloppy.

RM Carl Pettefer | Mins on Pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5

What is the point!? What purpose does Carl Pettefer serve playing on the right wing? My answer, absolutely none. On the night youngster Nathan Dyer tore Southend to bits playing on the wing surely Pettefer should take some of the tactics of how to play as a winger out of Dyer’s book.

CM Kevin Maher | Mins on Pitch: 90 | Goals:0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Run of the mill stuff from Maher that would be very effective in Leagues One and Two but against a good Championship side he is liable to struggle. Maher’s passing was good but not brilliant whilst his tackling was hard but not fierce.

CM Jay Smith | Mins on Pitch: 63 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5.5

Still not fully fit, Smith struggled in the centre of the park to really make an impact on the game. Whilst it is great to see Smithy back it was his failure to track back properly that cost Southend the second goal. Smith could have cut out any football towards Kwenye Jones. Jones shot against Flahavan came out to Dyer who slotted home.

LM Mitchell Cole | Mins on Pitch: 63 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5.5

Again good positioning from Cole but until his delivery is improved he may as well not be in the team. Don’t get me wrong, I fully back Cole to get good but until he sorts his crossing out he may be limited to the reserve team.

CF/RM Wayne Gray | Mins on Pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Gray was one of the few big threats for Southend as he attacked with the menace and speed we are used to seeing these days. Without really worrying the Saints Gray will always have the ability to make ground and win important free-kicks, corners and throw ins. One worry was the lack of linkup with Shaun Goater.

CF Shaun Goater | Mins on Pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

The Goat held the ball up well with very little attacking support from the midfield. However he had only one effort throughout the evening when he headed the ball goalwards to be denied by Saints stopper Paul Smith.

CM Mark Bentley | Mins on Pitch: 27 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

With just shy of thirty minutes on the field I can barely remember Beno touching the ball. However I would personally like to see the driving force of Bentley recalled to the side for Friday night’s encounter with Scunthorpe United.

CF Freddy Eastwood | Mins on Pitch: 27 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

When we’re playing the Saints enter the sinner! In one of the strangest decisions ever Freddy Eastwood featured in a game when he should have been suspended. Someone, somewhere decided to appeal Saturday’s red card in order to allow Freddy to play in Monday evening’s match. This was despite the fact that everyone agreed he should be sent off and after all of this he was bizarrely left on the bench. As you probably know Eastwood faces four matches on the sidelines after his three match ban was upheld and he was given another game for a ‘frivolous appeal.’ All this for twenty seven minutes when he quite frankly, did nothing!