[DAV007]

I didn't see the 1st penalty incident clearly enough to make a judgement; I did see the 2nd penalty incident and it was a penalty.


Simpson - MOM
Liddle - played ok. did get skinned but worked hard. his distribution was not the best. Both his crossing and passing was poor. Should not have been booked despite the refs attempt to make out he had caused numerous fouls.
Winnard - did well, kept their strike force quiet, did hit it direct a few times without any accuracy.
Aldred - did well, only got caught wrong side once and was fortunate the striker didnt take advantage.
Buxton - did ok, it was clear he is still learning the game, needs to work on crossing
Mingoia - did not impress, worked hard but with no end product. Allowed Southend to pressure him out the game.
Joyce - did ok. Decent passing, our most creative midfielder.
Hunt - did ok. Was 2nd to a few balls with slower pace, but did his job fine, as expected he had nothing to offer going forward.
Naismith - very poor. Except for the odd dribble, went missing for long periods, when he did have the ball he lacked vision. The game passed him by.
Gray - started game well, some nice touches, doesnt look like the type of striker who can play up front by himself. He was increasingly isolated in the 2nd half and didnt get any service from the rubbish wingers.
Windass - poor, started game ok, but was soon worked out by Southend, went missing for long periods of the game

McCartan - didnt have long enough to make an impact. Why bring him on at 87 mins? Why not try and win the game instead of waiting to go behind?
Alabi - looks a handful but a bit rusty with his touch. Ironically, he looks the type of striker who can play the lone striker role.

Overall, though Southend where the better team but didnt do a lot to win the game. They had a few chances, certainly more than Stanley.
Stanley gave the ball away to easily, Southend's high pressing game worked well to nullify Stanley from building an attack.
Which resulted in Stanley spending far to much energy, and to much of time chasing the ball trying to regain possession.

The biggest dissapointment was Beattie's inability or refusal to change it when it was clear after 30 minutes Southend had worked us out. It was clear he had settled for a point.
There was no plan B, nothing in the formation, game plan or substitutes suggested he knew how to and/or wanted to change it.

One observation - was it me, or was the home end not as full as normal?
Expected it to be busy with it being the 1st game of the season.
I also expect Southend to bring more fans.