Post by stevek192 on Nov 12, 2015 11:36:44 GMT
After an awful 4 hour journey we arrived in Southend hoping for a much improved performance against the League 1 opponents and four changes to the line up. Mansell dropped out of the squad completely ,meaning a return for Chris Lines and Leadbitter was obviously still feeling the effects of the injury and was replaced by James Clarke. Easter and Parkes replaced the internation call ups Lockyer and Harrison Southend also made changes but fielded a very strong line up After Sunday's embarrassing defeat the team deserved much more from this game and can hold their heads high after more than holding their own against higher division opponents. Southend put out a strong side and as would be expected had the extra class in midfield and up front but this was a very close run affair with Southend shading the first half but Rovers; as is the case with most away games; coming back strongly and dominating proceedings in the second half and only an excellent performance from the Southend goalkeeper stopped Rovers equalising and going on to win. Bentley made at least 5 good saves in the second half and until the last two minutes when Southend went close to a second Nicholls had little to do other than cut out a few crosses and through balls.
The talking point after the game must be the Referees decision to rule out what looked a good goal from Billy Bodin after giving the goal and allowing long celebrations to take place before consulting the linesman.The only thing I can think is that Matty Taylor got a touch to the shot from an offside position, if he did then fair enough BUT if as seems more likely it was disallowed for him not touching the ball but interfering then that was a very harsh decision as I have seen loads of goals on the TV this season where long shots have gone in and even where offside players have been obstructing the view of the keeper the goals have all been allowed to stand. It would be interesting to get another view of that superb shot from Bodin as he twisted and turned and then lobbed the ball into the far corner. To be honest the referee was very much a home referee giving very few decisions our way and being very relaxed on showing cards to the home players. Adam Barrett seemed to get away with Murder, holding, pushing and fouling constantly and yet the first time Easter backed in it was a foul. It must be said we are not getting the rub of the green this season with both overall referees performances or individual decisions.
Nicholls 6 Didn't have a lot to do but what he did have to do; mainly crosses and through balls; were dealt with well. Distribution was mainly quick and efficient. There are games where he looks a good goalkeeper but mistakes have really made a final decision on him difficult.
J. Clarke 5 I have a problem with him at full back and that is he does not get close enough to his winger and allows crosses to come in far too easily. This was evident early on in the game and particularly leading to the goal.His problem is that he seems to forget he is full back and plays inside too much which then means Bodin has to help out more than he should need to. Overall had a reasonable game but should have done better with a long range shot that rose over the roof.
McChrystal7 Good solid performance from the skipper. Kept a strong Southend attack at bay and restricted them to very few chances. Should have scored an equaliser when pushed up front from an excellent Montano cross that presented a great opportunity but it drifted wide from three yards out.
Parkes 7 A good return for Parkes. Very few errors and brought the ball out well. Strong in the air and back to somewhere near his best.
Brown 8 MOM Good defensively giving his winger little room and put in some good crosses ion the second half when we were on top. Brought a good save from the keeper with a long range drive
Bodin 6 Some silky skills and a beautiful goal that was IMO wrongly disallowed and this was not long after a fierce shot that probably should at least have tested the keeper rather than go just wide.. Also brought a fine save from the keeper with an angled shot and put Easter in with an excellent pass but drifted out of the game too easily. I would like to see him played up front maybe even with Easter playing in the hole at the sacrifice of one of the wingers.
Lines 5 Was just an average performance from a player who should be producing a lot better. He can't tackle so really needs to be far better pushing forwards. Gave a disastrous pass in the first half that nearly caused a second goal and wasted two free kicks in good positions by taking them far too quick. His corners seem to be regularly over hit and the disappointing thing is that this was a chance for him to cement his place for Saturday. He was better second half but for me he just doesn't seem willing or able to do those long runs into the area anymore.
Sinclair 7 Another who improved as the game went on as he imposed himself on the game and possibly got used to playing with Lines rather than the more defensive Mansell. First half the two struggled a bit as they were outnumbered by the three man Southend midfield who had that touch of League 1 class about them.
Gosling 5 Another average to poor game from him and unfortunately he was the player who was trying to mark White on the goal but really had no chance due to lack of height. I would be inclined to now give Montano the sort of run that Gosling has had as he is more direct and a fair bit quicker.
Taylor 7 Worked hard throughout and showed skill to hold off defenders. Was unlucky after a good run in the first half that ended with a shot into the side netting off the keepers strong hand. Should probably have scored in the second half following a harsh handball given against him.
Easter 6 Like Taylor worked tremendously hard but was denied on three occasions by the keeper where he found space brilliantly but drove the ball at the well positioned keeper. None of them were easy chances but the sort that you would expect a player of his experience to score at least one of the three. Did give Barrett something to think about with his clever play.
Subs: Montano 6.5 After this 20 minute appearance he looks like he deserves a run of games to show what he can do. Showed great skills to beat his player and a hint of real pace followed by a tremendous cross that McCrystal somehow contrived to put wide when it looked easier to score. Put over another good cross and also had a 25 yard shot tipped over by the keeper when it looked likely to dip[ in under the bar,it was fierce and accurate. Too often a player comes on and shows signs of being good but is then not started next game and this will agaion be the case Saturday I expect as DC will start with Gosling again.
Lucas 5 One shot from an angle that went straight at the keeper but not given enough time to do anything.
Crowd 7 looked about 250 which was pretty good for a Wednesday night in the tin pot cup for a long awkward journey and following a really disappointing FA Cup knockout on Saturday.
Ref 3 Very much a "homer". Gave us very little and far too lenient with his decisions . Very questionable decision on the disallowed goal considering how long the celebrations had gone on before he went across to the Linesman.
Southend 7 Had some classy players and played well first half. Were pacy and skilful particularly first half but to their credit Rovers completely outplayed them second half.
To conclude it was a game where we gave a good account of ourselves but are really crying out for a quality finisher and a midfield maestro. You just can't miss the sort of chances we created and expect to win a game of football.
The talking point after the game must be the Referees decision to rule out what looked a good goal from Billy Bodin after giving the goal and allowing long celebrations to take place before consulting the linesman.The only thing I can think is that Matty Taylor got a touch to the shot from an offside position, if he did then fair enough BUT if as seems more likely it was disallowed for him not touching the ball but interfering then that was a very harsh decision as I have seen loads of goals on the TV this season where long shots have gone in and even where offside players have been obstructing the view of the keeper the goals have all been allowed to stand. It would be interesting to get another view of that superb shot from Bodin as he twisted and turned and then lobbed the ball into the far corner. To be honest the referee was very much a home referee giving very few decisions our way and being very relaxed on showing cards to the home players. Adam Barrett seemed to get away with Murder, holding, pushing and fouling constantly and yet the first time Easter backed in it was a foul. It must be said we are not getting the rub of the green this season with both overall referees performances or individual decisions.
Nicholls 6 Didn't have a lot to do but what he did have to do; mainly crosses and through balls; were dealt with well. Distribution was mainly quick and efficient. There are games where he looks a good goalkeeper but mistakes have really made a final decision on him difficult.
J. Clarke 5 I have a problem with him at full back and that is he does not get close enough to his winger and allows crosses to come in far too easily. This was evident early on in the game and particularly leading to the goal.His problem is that he seems to forget he is full back and plays inside too much which then means Bodin has to help out more than he should need to. Overall had a reasonable game but should have done better with a long range shot that rose over the roof.
McChrystal7 Good solid performance from the skipper. Kept a strong Southend attack at bay and restricted them to very few chances. Should have scored an equaliser when pushed up front from an excellent Montano cross that presented a great opportunity but it drifted wide from three yards out.
Parkes 7 A good return for Parkes. Very few errors and brought the ball out well. Strong in the air and back to somewhere near his best.
Brown 8 MOM Good defensively giving his winger little room and put in some good crosses ion the second half when we were on top. Brought a good save from the keeper with a long range drive
Bodin 6 Some silky skills and a beautiful goal that was IMO wrongly disallowed and this was not long after a fierce shot that probably should at least have tested the keeper rather than go just wide.. Also brought a fine save from the keeper with an angled shot and put Easter in with an excellent pass but drifted out of the game too easily. I would like to see him played up front maybe even with Easter playing in the hole at the sacrifice of one of the wingers.
Lines 5 Was just an average performance from a player who should be producing a lot better. He can't tackle so really needs to be far better pushing forwards. Gave a disastrous pass in the first half that nearly caused a second goal and wasted two free kicks in good positions by taking them far too quick. His corners seem to be regularly over hit and the disappointing thing is that this was a chance for him to cement his place for Saturday. He was better second half but for me he just doesn't seem willing or able to do those long runs into the area anymore.
Sinclair 7 Another who improved as the game went on as he imposed himself on the game and possibly got used to playing with Lines rather than the more defensive Mansell. First half the two struggled a bit as they were outnumbered by the three man Southend midfield who had that touch of League 1 class about them.
Gosling 5 Another average to poor game from him and unfortunately he was the player who was trying to mark White on the goal but really had no chance due to lack of height. I would be inclined to now give Montano the sort of run that Gosling has had as he is more direct and a fair bit quicker.
Taylor 7 Worked hard throughout and showed skill to hold off defenders. Was unlucky after a good run in the first half that ended with a shot into the side netting off the keepers strong hand. Should probably have scored in the second half following a harsh handball given against him.
Easter 6 Like Taylor worked tremendously hard but was denied on three occasions by the keeper where he found space brilliantly but drove the ball at the well positioned keeper. None of them were easy chances but the sort that you would expect a player of his experience to score at least one of the three. Did give Barrett something to think about with his clever play.
Subs: Montano 6.5 After this 20 minute appearance he looks like he deserves a run of games to show what he can do. Showed great skills to beat his player and a hint of real pace followed by a tremendous cross that McCrystal somehow contrived to put wide when it looked easier to score. Put over another good cross and also had a 25 yard shot tipped over by the keeper when it looked likely to dip[ in under the bar,it was fierce and accurate. Too often a player comes on and shows signs of being good but is then not started next game and this will agaion be the case Saturday I expect as DC will start with Gosling again.
Lucas 5 One shot from an angle that went straight at the keeper but not given enough time to do anything.
Crowd 7 looked about 250 which was pretty good for a Wednesday night in the tin pot cup for a long awkward journey and following a really disappointing FA Cup knockout on Saturday.
Ref 3 Very much a "homer". Gave us very little and far too lenient with his decisions . Very questionable decision on the disallowed goal considering how long the celebrations had gone on before he went across to the Linesman.
Southend 7 Had some classy players and played well first half. Were pacy and skilful particularly first half but to their credit Rovers completely outplayed them second half.
To conclude it was a game where we gave a good account of ourselves but are really crying out for a quality finisher and a midfield maestro. You just can't miss the sort of chances we created and expect to win a game of football.
