retired_merri13

Southend, 2010

Small squad, way over the wagebudget and a 2,9m euro loan. Just relegated, so it looks to be a hard job getting us up again. With only 18 first teamplayers, a few reserves and a bunch of no-hopers in the U18.. Nice challenge.

Goalkeepers:

Matt Price 18yo backup
Joe Robbins 20yo Promising player, first choice

Defenders:

Luke Chambers D RC, 24yo solid back, first choice there
Nicky Law DR, 22yo backup
Adam Barrett DC, 30yo experienced centre back, first choice
Pontus Oberg Swe, DC, 31yo The 31yo Swede teams up with Barrett in the defence
Jamie Clarke D/WB R, DM, 27yo With no DL in the squad, Clarke has to play there
Michael Riding WB RL, M R, 25yo right winger without a doubt, although his crossing could be a little better.

Midfielders:

Vicente Perez Esp, DM, 24yo Good DM.
Jody Morris DM, AM C, 31yo Former Leeds/Chelsea player, first pick as AMC
Adam Wilson M C, 19yo Promising midfielder, backup
Michael Boyd AM R, 17yo Promising winger, promoted from the U18's
Ze Rui Cape Verde, AM L, 27yo international \o/ first choice ML
Jay Smith AM C, 28yo backup AM C

Strikeforce:

Chris Dillon Sco, ST, 28yo 4th choice, can leave if someone wants him
Peter Hart ST, 20yo backup, talented
Sam Morrow Nir, ST, 25yo International, 1st choice
Izet Zahirovic Bos, ST, 21yo Best player in the squad, promising player for the future.

retired_steffani

:thup: nice to see you back in club football Harwin \o/

retired_merri13

Thanks Daniel, it is good to be back at a club, although it slows down the playing speed

August 2010

Season kicks off against newly promoted Nuneaton was a nice, easy way to start. After only 7 minutes the win was secured, with Rui, Morrow and Barrett making it 3-0. Oberg converted a penalty before the break, after the break Morrow, Morris and Zahirovic scored to set the final score 7-0.
Just before the match away to Rushden, Jeremy Fleming, a 18yo DL, was bought from Scarburough for 8k. He gets in the team immediatly. The match was rather good, too bad we lost after Oberg got sent off. He received a 1 week fine. Home against Shrewsbury it was even worse, losing 0-3 while being the better side. Again a sending off was the deciding factor, Barrett got a week fine after his red card. Away to Burton we were looking for a win against the low-flying team. After a disappointing first half, Morrow and Zahirovic secured the win, scoring twice at the hour mark. Morris made it 3-0 before Burton scored their undeserved goal in the 89th.
The final match of the month was at home against Newport. Hart headed in a good croos in the 92nd minute to see us win 1-0.

Southend 7-0 Nuneaton Rui (3), Morrow (4, 58), Barrett (7), Oberg (pen 38), Zahirovic (71), Morris (82)
Rushden 1-0 Southend Oberg s/o (55)
Southend 0-3 Shrewsbury Barrett s/o (60)
Burton 1-3 Southend Morrow (59), Zahirovic (61), Morris (82)
Southend 1-0 Newport Co Hart (90)

League:
8. Southend 5-9 (11-5)

retired_merri13

September

Starting away to Southport, fantastic game, 0-4 down within 40 minutes. Morris did score in the second half, Southport forgot to score more. The 0-0 draw against Hereford was a logical result if both teams fail to get a shot on target. Away to Morecambe we had luck, drawing 1-1 while being outplayed. The hometie against Bishop's came at the right time, the low-flyers were aquaplaning so we could grab a win here. Morrow's 2 goals proved the point. We lost Zahirovic and Riding to injuries for a couple of weeks. We kept our unbeaten streak against Morecambe, 1-1. Morrow keep showing his pretty good form. The last match of the month, away to Aldershot, was looking to be a draw, untill the 85th when Fleming got sent off and we had a penalty against. Matt Price stopped the penalty \o/ Hart scored the only goal in injurytime.

Still, we're only in 11th place, where the board and fans expect a titlechallenge.


Southport 4-1 Southend Morris (52)
Southend 0-0 Hereford
Morecambe 1-1 Southend Fleming (pen 50)
Southend 2-1 Bishop's Stratford Morrow (30, 75)
Southend 1-1 Morecambe Morrow (27)
Aldreshot 0-1 Southend Hart (90), Fleming s/o (85)

League:
11. Southend 11-18 (17-12)

retired_merri13

October.

First important thing this month: the LDV Vans Trophy 1st Round draw, Colchester (L1) - Southend. Good opponent to give some backups a bit of playing time.
In the league we started against relegationcandidate Kidderminster and drew 0-0. Away to Grays we showed some class, Ze Rui and Peter Hart both scoring twice to see us win 4-0. Grays had 7 yellow and 2 red cards :o Away to Forest Green, useless match. Nothing happend in the team, lost 0-3
The FA Cup 4th Qual. Round draw: Burton Albion - Southend
The third awaygame in a row saw us facing Chester. With 5 players already injured we barely had enough players to fill the 15 places in the squad. Smith got injured after only 10 minutes so the injurytroubles become even bigger for the upcoming games. Riding second half injury only made our problems worse. The match ended in a very undeserved loss after Chester scored a 93rd minute winner.
Colchester away in the LDV cup went into a 1-2 loss, teh 17yo strikers I fielded weren't capable of doing what they are suposed to be doing. The 5th awaygame in a row saw us facing Burton, now for the FA Cup 4th QR. Easy game, 2-0 win.
FA Cup 1st Round: Southend - Chesterfield (L2).
Last game of the month, finally a homegame, against rivals Canvey Island. A poor first half from both sides was followed by a alomst even poor second half. Hart and Morrow both scoring for us, Canvey only got one back, 2-1.


Southend 0-0 Kidderminster
Grays 0-4 Southend Rui (7, 53), Hart (22, 32)
Forest Green 3-0 Southend
Chester 3-2 Southend Morrow (37), Riding (60)
Colchester (L1) 2-1 Southend Wilson (pen 88) LDV Vans Trophy South 1st round.
Burton 0-2 Southend Riding (13), Hart (65) FA Cup 4th Qual.round
Southend 2-1 Canvey Island Hart (59), Morrow (64)

League:
10. Southend 16-25 (25-19)