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Donohue's Marks Out Of Ten

Last updated : 07 August 2006 By Matt Donohue

GK Darryl Flahavan | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 0 | Rating: 7.5

Flahavan
Super start for Flahavan who managed to keep his first clean sheet of the season. Flavs made 2 or 3 really good saves, firstly from Peter Sweeney when he clawed the ball out with the tip of his right hand. Darryl continued to pull off top saves as he firstly stopped Mambay Sidibe from scoring and then foiled his rebound attempt. All in all a quality start from Flahavan, who looked a easily good enough for the Championship.

As comical as it sounds if Robert Green and Scott Carson, who both played Championship football last year got into the England squad, then why not Flahavan?




RB Simon Francis | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

A nervous start from Francis who gave the ball away a little too much in the first 10 minutes. However after receiving a ‘Roots Hall Welcome' from Brian Wheeler in pre-match who would not be nervous!

The former Sheffield United man improved vastly in the later stages of the game and managed to become a solid part of the clean sheet keeping defence. In addition Francis offered a threat from corners as he went into the box in order to attempt to win a header.




CB Spencer Prior | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5

Two years ago Prior was criticised on the first game of the season in League Two for his lack of pace and being outsmarted by the Cheltenham forwards. As much has he has been criticised in pre-season there could be no such complaints here. Prior made an excellent block from Vincent Pericard after a save from Flahavan and his game went from strength to strength from there. He dealt well with the physical prowess of Pericard and Sidibe and showed his intelligence that will only help Southend's cause in the Championship.




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

As like Spencer Prior, Barrett had a solid game, and certainly didn't look out of place against Championship strikers, which is promising news for Southend fans. The only problem Barrett had was the lack of headers he won against massive striker Sidibe. However in the way that only Barrett can he continued to fling himself in the way of any goal bound ball and his bravery has to be commended. As a side note, he was one of the few players that stayed out to clap the fans at the end of the game where as a number of the players made a very quick disappearance down the tunnel.




LB Steven Hammell | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Making his debut for Southend, Hammell, like many others had a nervy opening 10 minutes but he was settled down by the goal and then moved into an accomplished performance. Although I think it is widely accepted that Hammell is the better player I think Wilson will be a touch disappointed that he has lost his place to Hammell who did not turn in an amazing performance.




RM Jamal Campbell-Ryce |Minutes on pitch: 71| Gls: 0 |Assists: 0 |Rating: 7.5

A dogged performance from JCR who managed to again do everything right accept produce the final ball. He tackles, runs and beats players for fun but his final delivery really is a cause for concern.




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

Maher turned in a solid performance and a leadership style performance in the early part of the game. Captain Kev created space and time for other players and managed to put his foot on the ball and release for other players.




CM Luke Guttridge | Minutes on pitch: 89 | Goals: 0 |Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

It has to be said that Gutts struggled a little bit and was not allowed to play due to the lack of time he was given on the ball. He also seemed a little bit off the pace and lacked that extra bite that saw him perform so highly last term.




LM Mark Gower | Minutes on pitch: 86 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Need I repeat myself with Gower. So many people have said it but yet the problem and the positives do not seem to change. Gower is a quality outfit and posed a threat when he got on the ball however on so many occasions he was out of position due to a sincere lack of fitness. Gower is exciting on the ball but he needs to find a little extra pace and fitness and he will be a quality act in the championship.




CF Freddy Eastwood | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Gls: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Mr. Eastwood is making a little bit of a stir at the moment! National press are picking him up as a possible mover to the Premiership and this sort of performance does not help Southend's cause to hold onto him. Eastwood did not play that well yet he gets a goal, a penalty, and his name is on people's lips yet again. In fact the Sun even rated him 9 out of 10 which is clearly not deserved. Hats off to Freddy, he has been fantastic but we really do need to keep hold of him in order to stay in this division.




CF/RM Lee Bradbury | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Gls: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 8.5

Bradbury
MOTM: Bradders had a super game and showed his Championship prowess and experience. Firstly he won the penalty that was decisive after he got infront of his defender and brought a foul from goalkeeper Steve Simonsen. From there his game went from strength to strength and managed to cause a real problem for the Stoke defence. In fact when Bradbury was moved to the right wing he became far less of a threat. However the former Manchester City man had a great day and managed to make ex-Chelsea defender Michael Duberry look silly at times.




CF Billy Paynter | Minutes on pitch: 19 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Paynter made his debut for the Shrimpers after arriving in Southend at midnight the night before. Paynter ran well and looked a hefty figure who could partner Eastwood well this season. He did try one ridiculously audacious effort as he unsuccessfully tried a lob from around 25 yards out.