GK Darryl Flahavan | Mins on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 3 | Rating: 7.5 |
The returning shot-stopper upped his mark with some fantastic second half stops, but unfortunately must take some of the blame for the decisive third goal which arrived from a pretty routine corner which Flahavan should really have cut out. Also lacked some communication, especially in the first half calling for balls which were not his to claim. |
RB Duncan Jupp | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5 |
Worked his socks off, he always does, but Juppy let himself down by simply giving the ball away far too often. Also guilty, as was many of the side, of giving the opposition too much space and respect. |
CB Spencer Prior | Minutes on pitch: 45 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5 |
Spinner unfortunately struggled and was replaced at hal-time by Andy Edwards. Bad positioning was maybe the cause for the first half own goal, the ball cannoning in from a low cross, but generally Spencer found it hard top deal with Scunthorpe and seemed to lack the fitness to keep up. Once again another player who gave the home side too much space. |
CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5.5 |
As vital as Barrett’s goals have proved to be for Blues this season, methinks he is now getting a bit too ambitious going forward, he is, after all, a central defender. Too often Barrett surged up field and as soon as Southend lost possession was found badly out of position against a side who hit you with pace. Showed some neat work at the back, but dived into Paul Hayes’ first half shot a bit too hastily and deflected the ball overe the helpless Darryl Flahavan. |
LB Che |
Che suffered against the pace of Cleveland Taylor on the flank, but just like Jupp, tried his heart out. Unfortunately Che was another culprit of giving away possession far too easily and that of course did not aid his battle with |
LM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 78 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5 |
Carl really found it difficult to get to grips with this match. Showed some great signs of determination down the left, particularly in the second half when he gave his best shot a muscling Nathan Stanton off the ball, but Pets has to do a lot more to make any real impact on the game. Probably much more comfortable in the middle, but it’s a shame that it’s unlikely that he’ll be given a go there. |
CM Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8 |
MotM: A very impressive performance from Lewis Hunt, and maybe his best since joining Blues. Battled away all evening and almost everything Southend did going forward went through Lewis at some stage. He won balls that perhaps he wasn’t entitled to get and even when he lost possession, more often than not he’d fight to win the ball back, and succeed. Only thing is, with Mark Bentley’s suspension now served, it will be surprising if Lewis makes the starting line-up at |
CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 4.5 |
As well as Lewis Hunt played in the centre of the park, Kevin Maher found life very difficult. I think even the skipper himself will agree that this was his poorest display for a while. Maher just couldn’t keep hold of the ball and found finding a navy blue shirt very difficult. Workrate could not be faulted, but Maher wasn’t even winning balls in midfield and his corners, which have been dangerous so far this season, simply landed straight in Paul Musselwhite’s arms. Certainly not a good night for the skipper. |
RM Jimmy Corbett | Mins on pitch: 87 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5.5 |
Remarkably innocuous for long periods of the game, Jimmy showed just what he can do with a fantastic strike to equalise for United in the second half. It’s just a shame that Jimmy doesn’t get involved as much as he should do. He does lack the pace to be an out and out winger, Corbett himself cannot deny that, but it often seems that he is reluctant to get in where it hurts. Another player who is better down the middle but is unlikely to be tried there. |
CF Freddy Eastwood | Mins on pitch: 90 | Gls: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5 |
Another impressive showing from the man on loan from Grays Athletic. Here we have a player who clearly knows where the goals is, and was once again in the right place at the right time to head a brilliant Wayne Gray cross home for Southend’s opener. Didn’t have the opportunities to make as much of an impact as he did on Saturday, but showed signs of brilliance when forcing Musselwhite into a great save when nothing seemed on and in particular one fabulous defence-splitting ball into the area from an almost impossible position late in the game. |
CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 7.5 |
Wonderful again, and this time Gray managed to link up with another player in Eastwood and not Bramble. Faultless from the former |
LM Nicky Nicolau | Minutes on pitch: 12 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6 |
Replaced Carl Pettefer in a bid to add a bit more life to the left flank. Got down the line well and won some corners, but showed a reluctance to beat his man and get the ball into the box which is, of course, crucial as a left winger. |
CF Lawrie Dudfield | Minutes on pitch: 4 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6 |
Did not have enough time to make ahn impact, looked lively and maybe would have scored had time been on his side. |
DC Andy Edwards | Minutes on pitch: 45 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5 |
Having Spencer Prior at half time Eagle did make things a bit more solid at the back and did not let Scunthorpe hurt him with their pace. Perhaps should have made sure that both himself and the rest of the backline did not give |
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com