Southend Make The Final Step To Promotion - Marks Out of Ten

Last updated : 30 April 2006 By Chris Daniels

Congratulations to the lads for a fighting and very brave performance. A few players showed their nerves in a very intimidating atmosphere but three players were not going to be denied. Stand up Darryl, Freddy and Captain Kev, outstanding in an outstanding team performance after an outstanding season. Take a much deserved bow Tilly and Brush. It's all off to the Crown and Sceptre in Shephards Bush, a fine pint of Fullers ESB and 20 mts. walk from Loftus Road, next season but in the meantime lets beat Bristol City to see the Goat off in style and deny the Farmers the Championship trophy. (Will it be at Roots Hall?!)


Darryl Flahavan (MOM) 9: Though many of you would nominate Freddy, and not without reason, it was Darryl who got us the vital point by keeping out three great efforts at goal early in the second half when everything could have gone pear shaped. He looked calm and collected throughout and deserves a stab as our Championship starting keeper. A magnificent season.


Duncan Jupp 7; All the back four has some shaky moments and Duncan would not be the player we know and love, well like quite a bit, if he didn't give the ball to the opposition at least five times during a game. However, stood tall and never hid from the heat of the battle. One last ditch tackle in the first half was magnificent.


Adam Barratt 7: Has missed Sodje more than anyone but was always up for it and gave another battling performance. Unlucky to find Fallon having his one good game for Swansea. (Honestly, the Swansea supporters I was talking too in the Cobblers Arms hated him and blame him for the clubs drop down the table, but what a first goal!)


Lewis Hunt 7: Unluckily for Lewis the defence have gone a bit walkabout since he returned to the side he has been consistently our best defender. He looks classy on the ball always giving him self time to try and find a Blue shirt. The former Derby man, can be hustled out of it a bit and totally the anti-Sodje type of player but deserves his moment in the limelight.


Che Wilson 7: Arguably the player whose form has dropped the most over the last month as we have crawled over the finishing line. Yet, al la Juppy, when he could have hidden he was in there making a vital tackle or releasing Gower on another run. When he was the player we were all looking for a replacement for last August Super Cheese has gone from strength to strength. A walking advert for the Tilly and Brush coaching skills.


Lee Bradbury 7: The list goes on. Another not at his best but another who refused to hide in front of 17,000 odd screaming taffs. A cool head when it was needed and a ferocious tackler when the ball had to be won. Not short of a bit of skill as well, deserves a contract.


Kevin Maher 8: Kevin was going to play in the Championship come hell or high water. At the heart of all the action, demanded the ball when other team mates were not so sure, the first player his team mates looked to when they wanted to go on the offensive. Fantastic game, great delivery from free kicks and corners, nearly set up Adam on a couple of occasions. A true Captains season.


Luke Guttridge 7: See several Blues. Saint Luke has sinned a bit recently but, once again and sorry to keep repeating myself, never hid, always made himself available and was at the hear of several good passing movements, especially in the first half. Darryl and Freddy will probably fight over player of the season but Mr. Guttridge is not very far behind. Another terrific Tilly signing.


Mark Gower 7: Well what can we sat about Mark 'frustrating' Gower that has not already been written. Showed moments of the exciting wing play we used to take for granted as well as tackling back to help Che out on many occasions. However, drifted out of the game at times and gave the ball away far too often. Come on Mark, lets see you really shine next season in front of some big crowds in bigger stadiums. It's there mate, it really is.


Shaun Goater 7: The old boy did it. When he's on his farm in Bermuda, maybe, he can excite his grandchildren of tales of when he helped unfashionable Southend back into the second tier of English football. As ever what he lacked in pace he made up with great skill and intelligence. Freddy loves him as he creates the space he needs as well as being a general pain in the ass to the Swansea central duo for the time he was on.


Freddy Eastwood 9: Well what can I find to write about the boy Eastwood! Magnificent forward play from a real star. (Swansea supporters were full of praise for "the best player we've seen all season" after the game.) Took both goals with great skill, the second coming out of thin air.






With Darryl's keeping skills at the other end and Mr. Nelson, the Hartlepool player who equalised at Brentford, Freddy is the main reason we are all nursing hangovers this morning.


Sub, Mark Bentley 7: Did his job but if there were anymore subs and who he came on for, read the main report again! I need another drink!


COME ON YOU BLUES!




























Chris Daniels