Southend Blue

We were well beaten.   Few years ago Ipswich losing at home to Rotherham would have caused a minor sensation but they're actually a very good outfit and deserve to be top of League One.    We hardly had a shot on goal and they could have won by more than the two they scored.    On the weekend we lost to Sunderland but actually they stole a result in the last five minutes to win it.    Tonight was different, we deserved nothing, we got nothing.

If Bonne gets recalled to QPR back from loan in the New Year we are going to be in real trouble.   Cook (our manager) puts him in loan attack nearly every game - for what reason or end only he knows - and pins a result on 4-2-3-1 line-ups.     There was a lot of anger and ruffled feathers on TWTD tonight as you would expect, but also remember a number of these would have been praising the manager during one of our 'better days and performance' not so long ago, whereas right now their only focus is loathing and ridicule.     If you can't laugh at certain situations what can you do.  

We have Barrow in the second round of the F.A. Cup soon after a hard fought two games with Oldham Athletic.   If we fail to progress there - the door to the Third Round is clearly ajar  - then by all means Cook can go.    Won't be just the failure of that, it's tonight's result and performance and a good too many before it that will have swayed many to the opinion that a change of manager once again may just be necessary.    Goodnight.  

Ashton is just trying to endear himself to a new fan base.   Kind of like when you go to a job interview or start new employment (which he is), you need to show the right character.  I have a feeling this 'reach the fans' or whatever it is, won't have a happy ending but I've got to think for the better and remember the absolute shit that was involved while Marcus Evans and his staff were on board.     Don't forget he's relocated from one end of the country to another, pack up your troubles maybe and hope for a fresh start.

We did OK yesterday, maybe on another day the goal shouldn't have been given but we've had more than our share of wrongful rulings and decisions not go our way.     Nothing fancy out there, just get ahead and keep focus.    Lincoln did well in parts but didn't seem fully committed.

We could be playing Derby and Nottingham Forest next season it looks like.    This league is tough enough already and my concern is, if we don't make it out this season what with new players / manager / owners and expectation, it could be some time before a promotion occurs.    Its been a poor start but the win yesterday was crucial.    Hope it inspires the players and Cook to do a bit better and believe in themselves in the weeks ahead.  

TWTD always goes into meltdown after an adverse result.    Think monkeys at banana time then maybe half an hour or so it quietens down.    Provides some entertainment for others such a Pink 'Un Norwich messageboard.     I think they (our fans) get so caught up in what's going wrong and their spontaneous reaction/s  they don't always realise they're (sometimes) providing a stick with which to beat themselves.  

Last night ?   Took off to a Casino in Canvey Island before the game was even underway,  piece of shit tournament really, and only got score when it was over.   I can't judge Cook on games like that, it were a senseless kickabout, no way were whatever side we put out going to give 100 per cent or really attempt a win.  

We don't try in cup games, it's simple as that.   FA Cup, League Cup, Papa Smurf trophy like last night, it's custard and gravy to us.   Which leaves the league and even then we don't really get up to much.   We have Lincoln City at the weekend, they embarrassed us in front of a live audience on BBC television a couple of years ago in an FA Cup broadcast although it went to a replay.    They were non-league back then !

I think Cook's job is safe at least until the end of the year.   Results have been poor but he's only been with us a relatively short time.    Add to that he endured a family loss the last week.    Somehow don't think the new Yank owners are callous enough to wield the axe so soon after a bereavement.    Some insist it's only a matter of time before he and the team get it together and make it work.  Am prepared to allow it until December and then provide judgement.   If the problems and poor results have continued by then without much change then by all means do the right thing at bring someone else in.  

I don't always see what Ashton gets up to, he would played a pivotal part in getting the new squad assembled and fans here (ITFC) view him in a favourable light up until now but can see will quickly build up the same level of ridicule and animosity at Ashton Gate when he left there if things do not improve over time.   By that i'd expect a play-off shot at least for end of season, but will Paul Cook even be manager by that time ?

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.  

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.     

Just now, Roger Red Hat said:

I presume the gas are are playing today, as it's only professional football that's cancelled?

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.

6 hours ago, reddogkev said:

A fine morning to you, Havanatopia, and as suggested in your opening paragraph, there is something uninspiring about a match against Ipswich.  The tractor boys are a rather unglamorous outfit, but they do still have Mad Mick McCarthy at the helm, so at least he adds a source of interest.

What grips my attention about today is the fact that Ipswich have the same points as us, so it's going to be a refreshing change not to play a team settled in the top 3 of the league.

On that point, I find it amazing that we've just played teams currently ranked places 2nd, 3rd, 4th.  Frankly, coming away from that sequence bereft of points is no need for concern, especially when you look at the exciting, attacking football we produced for large patches of the two away games.

Today's game has all the makings of a dour, hard-fought match; I'm going for City to score the deciding goal, and Wilbs to come from the bench to grab it in the last 15 minutes.  The safe money would be on a 1-1 draw.  Here's hoping I'm wrong and it turns into a six-goal thriller....

COME ON YOU REDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

An unglamourous outfit that has been League Champions of England, runners up twice in the old first division, won the FA Cup, and a European trophy ?

No to mention providing two successful England managers, one of which has the unique honour of providing this country with it's first and only World Cup winning achievement ?  

I think there's an automatic assumption from some outsiders that we're a place of rustic farmhands and backward country folk, made even worse since the label of "Tractor Boys" came about in recent years - one of which some here feel derogatory and unnecessary.

Anyway, the match is about underway over there about now and may the best team win.   Hopefully we can continue our recent form and take further points from today but for the sake of everyone involved, at least let's hope for an entertaining game and fair play.

6 hours ago, reddogkev said:

 

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