[Lord Stiffupperlip]

Yesterday's match proved less like the beautiful game & more like of a battle of attrition.
First 45 minutes, Southend created a curtain of steel across the midfield so effective that, for long periods, our defence seemed in a constant state of siege.
The result was we barely got out of our own half as each attack broke down before we'd even crossed the half-way line.
Our off-the-ball movement from midfield was so static that defenders struggled to find a red shirt available to pass to. Kick it anywhere became the only option.
Their intense pressing soon paid dividends with the blunder which gifted them the lead.
Don't know who was more culpable, Big Ben for misjudging a high bounce, or Maxted for diving in after Humphry had already headed the ball goal-ward.
The latter both paid a heavy price for the mistake. Humphry stretchered-off with serious concussion & a broken nose into a waiting ambulance, followed quickly by Maxted.
By the way, some of the moronic shouting aimed at the injured lad, even after a doctor had been called onto the field, was shameful.
Things improved slightly in the second-half when we upped our game. Barlaser, who always tries to be creative when he gets the ball, deserved his match-saving equaliser.
Southend had obviously watched the Sunderland video, as they marked Smyth closer than a shave from Sweeney Todd.
Rarely was he given the space he thrives on, being constantly barged, pushed or muscled-off the ball by his big minders.
Armstrong proved a much better attacking option when he eventually got on the field - much too late in the day.
All in all, a deserved draw salvaged from the jaws of defeat & another valuable point in our battle to remain in League 1.