Southend United 3 - West Bromwich Albion 1

Dave Watkin:

Albion were abject in the first half against Southend United at Roots Hall and trailed by three goals at the interval. There was a marginal improvement after the break, but not sufficient to prevent the Blues gaining only their second win in 23 league matches!

At this point I usually outline the best performances by Albion players and nominate a man-of-the-match, however for this match only (I hope) this section is intentionally left blank, as only the three substitutes deserve any credit.

This is the fifth successive away match report that I?ve noted that we?ve made a poor start and this was also the case in the home game against Ipswich. Are we complacent, do we consider ourselves superior, are we not fired up enough? Whatever it is, we need to quickly learn the lesson that if you don?t battle in this division you won?t get anything. We?ve gained promotion twice in recent seasons with vastly inferior squads to the one we have now. I want to keep our star players Davies, Koumas and Kamara, I don?t mind losing Gera and out-of-favour Zuberbuhler, Watson and Perry, if we bring in three or four players who can make us a more solid team. Finally, I wonder if, a little like Flintoff in the Ashes, the burdens of captaincy are affecting Curtis Davies. If so perhaps we should change to Paul Robinson, who would certainly relish the role.

TEAM NEWS

The starting eleven showed just one change, Paul Robinson returned from suspension in place of Neil Clement at left back.

HIGH (LOW) LIGHTS

For the second game in a row the Baggies failed to get a grip early on, but this time they were punished when Southend took an 11th minute lead. A corner was only partially cleared and reached CAMPBELL-RYCE forty yards out. He skipped past two Albion players as if they weren?t there and then as the remainder stood off, had plenty of space to pick his spot with a well aimed shot just inside the post.

Things went from bad to worse in the 28th minute and it was the same player who took advantage. The ball was chipped into the Albion box and Bradbury was allowed time to head back to CAMPBELL-RYCE, who from twenty yards cracked a superb low drive into the same bottom corner as his first attempt.

In the 42nd minute Southend worked a simple corner kick routine to extend their lead still further. Mayler pulled away from the defence to accept a short corner and had time to turn and pick out HUNT at the far post where, despite being surrounded by seven defenders, he was able to rise and head home.

Minutes later it could have been four, when Gower broke through and chipped Hoult, only for his shot to go just wide of the post. Any hope that, as at Plymouth, we might pull back a goal in stoppage time, were dashed, when the home keeper made his only significant save to push a shot from Kamara around the post. Mowbray reacted to the first half disaster by using up all his substitutions. Neil Clement came into the centre of the defence, with McShane moving to right back instead of Albrechtsen. Nathan Ellington went up front as Kamara dropped into midfield in place of Gera and John Hartson arrived as a straight swap for Phillips.

Although Albion came close when a Neil Clement free kick was deflected over the bar, Southend came much closer when Russell Hoult made a brilliant save from a close range header by Barrett.

In the 64th minute the Baggies pulled a goal back when they netted after a scramble from a corner. Darren Carter swung the ball in and several Albion players challenged inside the six yard box, before the ball fell fortuitously for JOHN HARTSON who tapped home on the goal-line.

By this stage, at least Albion were battling against bottom of the table Southend. However, despite their efforts they failed to create any clear-cut chances. With full time approaching Paul McShane did manage a penetrating cross into the area, but Ellington failed to connect and the chance of a grandstand finish was lost.

ALBION FORMRATE: VERY POOR

Man-of-the-Match: Neil Clement

STATISTICS (against the Shrimpers)

This was the highest away defeat that Albion have suffered against Southend, albeit from only five matches contested at Roots Hall since we first met in 1993.

INCIDENTALLY... in comparison with our last two automatic promotions, we?re seven points short of our 2003-04 tally and just a point behind our 2001-02 position. In the latter campaign we lost the equivalent match 2-1 at Gillingham, but did have the excuse that we were reduced to 10 men with the game just three minutes old. We went on to win 14, draw 2 and lose only 3 of our remaining 19 games to clinch 2nd place. An incredible run in which we won 8 and drew 2 of our last 10 matches. Such is the size of the task if we are to gain an increasingly unlikely automatic promotion.

Londonbaggie:

A big thank-you to Cliff and Doina for their pre match hospitality, lovely pasty, chips and cold beer and provided us with the perfect way to start the afternoon. Pity the players didn't follow suit. Now Cliff has to endure the locals who, although they have a s*it football team, have the bragging rights in Cliff's restaurant.

First half was a complete joke, same player was twice allowed to get a long range shot in with what were two nearly identical goals. Dont know about others but thought Hoult was a bit slow in getting down to try and save the shots although why the player was allowed to advance without being challenged was a mystery. The third goal although a well worked set piece how does one southend player beat FOUR albion players on the far post to win the header.

Mowbary had his work cut out at half time in working out who to leave ON the pitch. His changes had the desired effect and we actually had one or two meaninigfull attacks in the second half but the damage was done and there was no way back from the abyss.

Thoughts on who should go and who should stay from today.

• Keep - Hoult, Alby, McShane, Robinson, KOUMAS (at all costs), Greening, Kamara, Ellington (plenty of effort today just lacked final touch), Phillips, Hartson (just because he gives you an option), Kamara, Clem (quality second half performance)
• GO - Gera (lost the plot - greet shame), Carter (as long as replaced), Zubi (cant see anyone wanting him )
• Jury Out - Curtis Davis - anyone offers ?5m/?6m - bite their hands off. Also I think it is time the captains armband went to somebody else. He is not commanding the defense and playing well enough to inspire the rest of the team to raise their game when required. FOR ME Robinson or Clem if he is to keep his place.

Thanks again Cliff it was much appreciated.

cliff61:

The mighty Southend United 3 - The posers 1

Its been 36 years since my first Albion game, a 6-2 defeat at Arsenal, my second was a 5-0 defeat at Spurs in the LC and then 1-3 at Chelsea, soon followed by relegation. It was a good grounding because it taught me at an early age that supporting a football team is not all about glory, far from it in fact, its mostly about defeats on wet cold days that make you feel like crap. Once you start to understand that, and learn to deal with it, it makes the good times something special.

I'm from Essex, Basildon originally but Southend since 1975.In the late 70's I'd sometimes go to Roots Hall on a Friday night, Southend were always in the old 3rd or 4th division then, if they put a few passes together everybody got excited. I never cared whether they won or lost, why should I, I don't believe in 2nd teams, you can only love one. In fact I'd often sympathiize with the away fans who'd made a long journey down from Oldham, Crewe, or Grimsby. Then on the Saturday I'd go and watch a bloody good Albion team, the gulf was vast.

Yes I know football changes, I'm glad Southend won promotion last season, the smaller clubs doing well is what footballs all about, the romance and all that. But didn't you just know what would happen today? Southend havent won at home for ages, they were 8 points adrift, we have a great squad at this level, so IT HAD TO HAPPEN, COZ IT'S ALBION!! Why are we poor away? Because we don't have ball winners, its not rocket science is it? At home most opposition sit back so we're okay, but away they come at us and we don't put a foot in. Today was a replay of Sheff Wed a few weeks ago, the game effectively over at H/T. Sure we come out all guns blazing in the second half, but why don't we START WITH THAT PASSION AND DETERMINATION? Probably because we over rate ourselves and under rate the opposition. We think we can just stroll around and pass casually to each other until the opposition realize we're the great West Bromwich Albion and give up. In the real world however, the opposition knock us about a bit, show more urgency and suddenly, shock horror, we 0-2 down and its game over.

My Brother supports Southend, we havent spoken yet, I've got that to look forward to. But he told me a lond time ago that Campbell Ryce was annoying because he'll beat 2/3 players but then do something silly. However,I've seen him on TV when Southend beat Man U and drew at Luton and I thought he looked good in both games. Players like him scare me when they play against us, why couldn't my Brother be right about him, just for today at least? He scored 2 identical goals, both low shots from 20 yards while our powder puff defence stood watching him and low shots are the achilies heel of old man Holte. I sat there thinking, "its gonna be 3 or 4 by H/T, I just know it is, I've seen it all before"

We don't have players who take responsibilty when we go behind, we have players who appear to blame each other. Do you see ANY Albion players with clenched fists, shouting at the others? I don't and thats what we need in games like this, Mobray must see that, we need one or two players LIKE HIM. I'm not gonna slag off each player, but what I havent understood for some time, including during Robsons reign, is Greenings roll in the team. He seems to have got it into his head that he's some sort of midfield playmaker, but IMO he's virtually ineffective unless he plays out wide, thats when he's at his best. He gets hassled off the ball far to easilly in games like this because he hasn't got the time or space he needs, out wide he does, and he puts in a good cross.

For some strange reason I still think we'll win promotion this season, I like Mowbray and I think he'll sort it out. I've read a lot of criticism of our support over the last few weeks, but I thought it was excellent today particularly in the second half when 0-3 behind. Of course people get angry, nobody more than me today, but I always think if you don't get angry or dissapointed, why are you there?

topdoc911:

theres only one gary megson. his teams would never just give up away without a fight.. 2 wins away all season is just a big pathetic disgrace the root of the problem was brian robson whos gone thankfully now, but he has left us with his crap signings that mowbury needs to sort out the men from the boys. for me players that he needs shifing are:

1. zuboo do dar
2. fatty hartson - robson's mate
3. shorty perry
4. oldy golgie wotson - robson's mate
5. wallwork - robson's drinking partner
6. carter - waste of money, not good for blues so y 4 us
7. baldy chaplow - waste of money
8. steele - useless goaly

..that should generate 2million. chairman needs to put 3 million in the kitty and get some 3 big players. costing sum of 5 million (hense quality ) who r going to make a difference.

otherwise its fizzy drinks every year folks

BLOWERS:

Disgusting performance, disgusting attitude and application.

Players. If any of you are reading this (and I doubt it!) you are averaging ?8000 a week to play for this football club, it is your job. If I do not do my job, I get sacked. I stand by whatever Mowbray does in January and with a few exceptions you were a disgrace against a poor bottom of the league side.

Mogga. Please sell the dross, ?charlie big potatoes? and the passionless. Just like 19,000 of us you know who they are. Get a new keeper, a ball winning centre back and a midfielder that can tackle.

Mr Peace. I know that you will not read this as I am sure you are busy speaking to Ronaldinho?s agent, but you need to dip into your pocket a little as we cannot afford to stay down this season and if things stay the way they are we will. A good academy is great, but at this rate we will be selling it to Blues!

When I saw the 4-5-1 formation I was looking for the big strong target man up front, then I saw him ? it was Kevin Philips!!! That was a joke formation and with terrible marking, poor tracking back, a lack of passion, awful positional awareness and sheer lazyness added to the mixing pot we would have lost to The Blue Boar, Southend Sunday 8th team! How can this happen, a team that are brilliant at home (at least in spells) and so, so poor away. Davies says today that there is no hoodoo, well I would like to know what they are listening to on the team coach? Something to gee them up? I suspect Dido or Leonard Cohen!!!!!! Come on the Albion ? Boing Boing.

• Houlty ? 2/10 because of a great 2nd half save 2/10
• Macca ? Poor, and worse than poor at right back 1/10
• Alby ? Good going forward terrible defending 2/10
• Davies ? Ok, but we need an on pitch leader ? get 6mill sell him 3/10
• Robbo ? Poor game today 3/10
• Greening ? Rubbish 1/10
• JK ? Huffed and puffed and easily our best player - again 4/10
• DC ? Headless chicken and touch like a blacksmith 1/10
• Gera ? Slow, uninterested, good bye Zoltan 1/10
• Joe ? Out of sorts 2/10
• Philips ? Impossible task for him 1st half 2/10
• BFJ ? Bring back Kevin Campbell 0/10
• Duke ? Tried, but he is off to wigan 3/10
• Clem ? Great passion and great leadership, too little too late. MOTM 5/10
• Mogga (Mowbray) ? 1 up front and that 1 is Philips? WRONG WRONG WRONG 2/10
• Albion fans ? Brilliant. The players did not deserve us today 8/10
• Southend fans ? In church, it?s just like being in church 1/10
• Match highlight ? My battered sausage before the game.

Dan_London:

Not a lot to add, except I really was baffled that Carter stayed on the pitch for 90 minutes? Can someone please tell me why we paid ?1.5m for this donkey and why he is STILL in the team.

Also, our fans were fantastic when we went 3-0 down, but why does it take a 3 goal deficit for us to sing our hearts out? I was at the Plymouth game and we were deathly silent for 90 minutes. I know we have been poor away from home, but we as fans have to do our bit.

Happy new year all.

leedsbaggie:

just like to send my opinion in on the southend debacle. All albion fans know what the problem is we have a powder puff central midfield unless mowbray gets a tuff tackling midfielder in like we have had in the past like derek mcinnes the embarrassment of roots hall will be nothing compared with what we will get when we go to layer road and ship four or five and even worse when we go to dingleland.

Highbury Baggie:

As a London Baggie I only get to see a few games each season - even fewer this time as it's only Palace and QPR in town - so I've cast the net further and ended up visiting Luton, Ipswich and now Southend. My last home game was the Great Escape against Pompey, so I've no idea how the home fans have been reacting to our recent displays. Away from home the fans are passionate and vocal and unerringly behind the team (do you remember Fulham last year when we lost 6-1?) - not so at Southend; the team was booed off at halftime because the Albion performance was abject.

As a supporter you have to forgive if there's graft and endevour and the results go against you. But the team gave nothing at Southend. I'm heartened to read contrite comments from a few of the players, but haven't we already heard similar mouthings already this season?

Tony, my son, you know what you've got to do, I'm sure. If we get into the playoffs you'll have done really well - if we go up from that position, you'll have earnt your crust - if we get automatic promotion you should be sanctified - otherwise let's hope Southend stay up so we can give them 4 points next season too.