Southend Blue

That's it, seems 19 is our limit although why not round it off to a nice 20 ? Just fell one short of a perfect number. I know Mark Ashton is largely rebuked or the devil incarnate over there but really, has played a pivotal part in getting these additions in. Some of our fans while not euphoric are really enthralled by the business done and Ashton is receiving praise from rooftops. I think it's the manager that's holding us back. We could bring in 1, 10, 100 new players if it were possible but when you've got someone who picks the squad, deploys formations and training routines etc who seems at times just about incompetent and more Conference League than the Third Division it does make you worry. It's all about the 'give it time' philosophy. You know, something you could have said 15 years ago when the real fall started except near to nothing was or has been done in the time inbetween. The time ahead is critical. No wins or beaten by a number of arse-hat teams from Morecambe to Newport and not far off the League One relegation spots. We won't go down, I'm sure of it, it can't happen - won't happen - but it's a tall order to bring in 20 new additions and make a complete new team in such a short space of time. Think it just puts more pressure on us than ever before. Pundits and commentators will be perplexed if we don't make the play-offs at very least. Think we've done too much changes in too short a time. Not only the players, but Cook and the Yank ownership takeover with it. There is a big risk this could implode but have to believe this will work out for the better.

Dustbin thread ?, we're known as 'binners' by Norwich fans, but enough about them. So we beat your rivals today, wasn't anything pretty in fact it were mostly dire and uninspiring but imagine you'd be pleased to see them beat. We're TRYING to get back to the Championship again but on today's evidence may have to wait a while longer. Sorry about your loss today serioiusly I'd want you to do well and see Bristol City back in the top flight (a vague recollection from early schooldays) Any consolation I'd expect Rovers to be a League Two club by the summer, they had to win today to have any real chance but gave us a goal through one of their own players before Judge made it two. Could have taken a point from it by the end, we were effectively poor once again but for now just 'enjoying' the moment and thankful for the three points. Sorry to intrude.

I know "can we play you every week" is something of a cliche but they just might be on to something. Didn't make the trip over there but first half was poor, after the interval we raised our game and were deserved winners. Top of the league is good and all very well but it's like two games we've played along with others, a bit soon to be getting carried away. Some (of our) supporters are getting excited and while not to knock your own, but some of our fans will do a dance every time the fridge light comes on. We have Rochdale next, I can see three wins out of three but that's just the sort of opposition that have caused us problems before. If it seems too good to be true it usually is. We're going to leave Rovers alone for now, I'm tired of beating them ? but we really need to be getting out of this League as soon as possible and return to the second level. Yeah we're not the force of years before, but us in the third division ? Come on it's not really on is it.

Imagine you'd be pleased about today. They never really got started and we deserved the win and place in the next round. Odd thing is they beat us here in the League last season and we were going to play them over there in the return fixture in March until all games were stopped with the pandemic thing. Thought we would lose today, we don't do well in cup games but Lambert surprised many by putting out a strong side and the players seemed determined and created a number of opportunities. The second round draw is believe a North / South divide so we'll play someone similar some time soon. Well done on your own victory today, incidentally I think Exeter put us out of the EDFL (?) trophy thing last season but nobody lost much sleep over it. Hope to be back in the Championship again by the end of season but being honest I can't see us doing it but today there were a number of positives to take away.

Game's been called off, probably just as well as we'd only see another defeat they've already beaten us once this season. Some have booked tickets with Great Western to have made the trip over there but are hoping for reimbursement. Not sure if Coronavirus if a viable reason to offer a refund right now but hopefully given the circumstances and growing concern of subject matter those who have paid will be entitled to refunds. Wouldn't have gone personally it's hardly a short journey and besides watching Town at the moment is hardly an enjoyable experience. I wonder to what extent the remaining games will be effected not just here but in Europe and possibly Euro 2020, will they be cancelled ? All hypothetical but the virus thing seems to be getting out of hand and sport's being disrupted to such extent you wonder what potential impact it will have on the months ahead.

We play these tomorrow. Not to piss on anyone's expectations here but wouldn't be that surprised if they came away with three points. Gave the yearly obligatory 'wave the white flag' in the FA Cup and made a mockery of the competitions integrity yet again with the Coventry replay a few days ago, seriously we were dire. Hardly tried and if we play like that tomorrow then may as well award Rovers the three points and save another shameful excuse for putting on a game. Memory must be ageing or something as can't recall right now the last time we played BRFC in the league or even any cup game, guess they've been kept apart by different leagues but tomorrow should be a good indication of how far we've really come since dropping out the Championship back in May. Lambert is under a bit of pressure after some recent setbacks and one or doubts are creeping in. Rovers are no mugs as their fifth place position shows and expecting a tough game tomorrow. We'll try to beat them but I think we've punched above our weight often this season and second place for the team may be a little generous. Already lost to Accrington and Rotherham, not good enough. Hope to do better in a few hours.

Well it should be underway over there in a moment or so. Saw our team for today and while little to play for, there are players available that can still make a difference. You haven't won two games over us in a season since 1979 but of course have been separated by different leagues for a majority of that. Hope for a good game, may the best team win.

Wasn't it a few months ago that City were a very poor team under Lee Johnson, seem to remember a catalogue of defeats and setbacks and rage towards the manager, and now I'm seeing a far improved side and something of even play off contenders. Point being, you've certainly turned it around since the start of the season. Fair play you deserve your lead. We have the players to turn this around and I'd accept a point right now but would hope to win obviously. Talk again after the game, whatever occurs.

That could be something of a season-saving point today. Granted a victory would have been first and foremost on both sets of supporters list, but you've got to be the more pleased of the two to take a draw away from an opposition in more need of points than yourselves. As others have mentioned safety isn't yet achieved, but you're finally putting some results together and moving away from the most dangerous reaches of the league. Today illustrated for me all things are possible in the Championship - results occur when you least expect them - so while there's still an element of uncertainty regards any relegation concern, at least things look much brighter now than they did a few weeks recent. (We'll try and beat Forest on the last day to assist if needed, but you've probably done enough by now to remain in the league for another season)

Would have replied to this last night but the website was down ? First and foremost, no offence to anybody but you're a team with a lot of problems right now. Stating the obvious maybe, but any team we can beat this season has some issues to sort out. We played better than recent weeks but there were still plenty of deficiencies that not all our support were willing to acknowledge. Three minutes away from a tirade of more McCarthy out rhetoric from our selection of fans, but it's amazing what one goal can do to change opinion. A goal incidentally worthy of winning any game and Pitman has struggled at times since he came on board, sorry it had to be one of your former players to inflict the damage but we'll take anything we can get right now. I hope you can sort your decline in order and remain in the championship league for another season. Nothing disingenuous, we've had some good games and a lot of level headed people on here and room for articulate discussion. New Year wishes to all on OTIB and let's hope both teams can pick up in the months ahead and reach some level of league respectability.

Couldn't view the highlights show from Channel 5 so missed any action, people are going wild over your second goal, by all accounts it was something to behold. The penalty decision has been questioned by both sides, some say the challenge that lead to it from our goalkeeper was unnecessary but what's done is done. There's little than can be done after the event. It's easy for me to say as I follow the team week in week out, score after score, game after game, be it in attendance when possible or using our main forums (TWTD for example) to catch up with events and take in discussion, but for any outsiders you may well be aware we're a something of a poor team and have in fact been that way going back as far as a decade. For any positive result that may occur, you can rest assured there will be two or three next up that goes against us. In so many words, feels wrong giving plaudits to an opposition team that's just beaten you but what you may have seen today was your team picking up victory over an opposition that are largely devoid of ideas and creativity with a manager that couldn't finish a three piece jigsaw - and as for revealing the starting line up three days in advance - Wouldn't go as far to say we handed you three points today, but as is often, we seem to help opposition teams more than we can help ourselves.