Still Gutted

[Fat Boy Fat]

Great Game last night, thought both teams played equally well (and defended equally badly!!!!)

Southend just deserved to nick it, it was pretty even but they managed to be that half yard quicker in midfield and always looked that little bit more dangerous.

Few personal observations about the team:

Is Theobald good enough for our defence, I'm not convinced.

Where is the Chris Duffy of two years ago, have we signed his lesser able twin?

Minton can stroll around and control midfield against Bedford/Basingstoke, etc..., he needs to work harder to compete against faster, fitter opposition. (great goal though)

Is Gooden fit yet, he's a great player but not yet quite there.

Why wasn't Dobinson introduced earlier.

Midgely?? Did he play??

And my normal moan, why Gregory?? McDougal must now start playing, he can challenge in the air as effectively as Greggors and his pace would have really scared a very average Southend Defence.

 

We will win the league with our team but there are still areas that can be improved.

 

Finally even though its tough to say, good luck to Southend against Lincoln.

 

[CIFC - Y.A]

Personally, I disagree.

 

This season, i've seen Duffy play some excellent football. He's stood out a lot more than he has in past seasons (to me anyway)

 

The lad's played well, you didnt even say one of them played well and basically cussed off everyone who did anything.

 

Jeff's a great player, you cant expect a player to do what a whole team's meant to do. He didnt have such a great game last night, but when we played at Roots Hall, a number of Southend fans I know said how good they thought he was. The Southend players knew he was a threat, so he was constantly marked last night, leaving him with less space to do his normal work.

 

Personally, I feel that when McDougald has come on as a sub this season, theres not been much lift-up in play. Im not doubting he's a good player, but if you look at what Ollie Berquez has done after he's come on as a sub, theres a difference.

 

I dont feel JK is on a high at the moment personally, hes looking sluggish, and although I think he had a good game last night, it seems as though hes bypassing the league as if its already finished and we're certain to go up. I used to think of him as one of our best, but hes been lacking lately, still a quality player though.

 

I agree with Greggors, i've never seen him much of a danger to defence, unlike Boylan, but could Junior correct this?

 

Theres my moans... Sorry if anyone disagrees. (Someones got to! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)

[Fat Boy Fat]

I agree the team played well and I only pointed out the apparent weaknesses (personal observations I add).

 

I agree we have an excellent team, but we would need to strengthen if we played teams of Southends level week in week out.

 

Minton is a class player, he just looked a half yard off the pace last night, probably because of the standard of opposition he is regularly playing against. He is a Div2 standard footballer.

Boylan and Kennedy are good enough for any club I've seen play in Divisions 2 or 3. Both top class players.

Potter, Ward, Chenners, Dobbo, Gooden (when fully fit) are all quality players and its showed yesterday.

I do feel Duffy is either very good or very poor. Last night he was poor. And I'm not sure Midgley or Theobald are as good as the players they've replaced.

We also have a very strong bench; Parms, Cowan (should start), McDougal (should start), Smith, Berquez, Protheroe, etc..

 

As I said, were a very good team and we will win the league, but even the best teams have areas they can improve.

 

 

[CANV EFM]

always looking forward fat boy fat.. always trying to improve.. its the only way

im gutted this morning but you have to be pleased we gave a league a good run and standards are so good that we fancied our chances..

im gonna have to drink may way through today so eapect some drunken ramblings at about 3 pm when i get back from an 8 pinter at lunch and again at 12 pm when i get home from this evenings festivities

[CIFC - Y.A]

Quote:

I agree we have an excellent team, but we would need to strengthen if we played teams of Southends level week in week out.

 

If we did have to play Southend week in week out, they would then be in the conference, therefore their best players would of left, leaving them even worse... See where your coming from though <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Phil Old Boy]

Good observations on here but be proud of Canvey. The different styles of League football and Rymans was evident as well as different training regimes. Did you notice how quick they were to pepper our defence with those high balls that caused all sorts of trouble that we could not clear at times. The higher divisioned teams play this quick long ball route 1 theme. Some try it in our division but their lack of pace means we can mostly clear the threat. If you are fit and fast then you can always make something out of nothing.

 

From the comments above, I wonder about Theobald. Probably just good enough for the rymans premier but has no pace at all. Believe that Cowan is just as able and has a bit more speed.

Duffers had a poor first game, apart from that shot, but played better. Could of tested the keeper instead of passing to Minton who was surprised and missed it. Many of Duffers shots lead to something and I wish he would shoot more on sight at times.

Minton is okay against most teams in our division but can be snuffed out when the going gets tough. Aldershot done a good job on him last season. I just wonder if Minton is too skilful for us at times and wonder if a bigger midfielder in there would provide other qualities in there. That's controversial!

Midgley enough said. JK on the right and would provide an outlet on the right, as he used to, other than Duffy on the left.

Still feel we need that commanding midfielder or two even.

 

Looking forward, what we really lack is pace and it showed last night. Now whether full time training would improve that?

But for those who saw the Aldershot game at Park Lane, again the difference was the speed and look how that has stood them in good stead in the conf because that is the game at the higher level. If the club wants to move on then something has to change with our style of play to be like that of superior conf and league teams.

[Merv]

There are so many different points of view about the team and individual players; some prefer Ash to Potter, some want Junior up front instead of Greggers and Chris Duffy - you either love him or hate him (depending on well he played in his last game). But the one area where there appears to be universal agreement (except the management, that is) is Neil Midgely. I have yet to speak to a single fan who is able to justify Midgely's selection week in, week out. Walk around the bar, chat on the terrace or listen to the various conversations on the coach coming home from away games, it's always the same. People criticise his performance, skills and involvement.

 

There must be an opposing point of view. Anyone want to start it off?

[cangull]

I have to say that I do know a couple of regular supporters who do rate Midgley but can't stand Duffy.

My personal view is that Midgley is not for me, he reminds me of Matt Jones from last season and I didn't rate him either, Jones was a reactive player not proactive, although Midgley is not as bad. As already stated, although JK is doing ok where he is currently playing, we are missing his line work that Midgley lacks, therefor we have a weakness down that side and it is showing, Roots Hall first goal!!

[Guest]

The game was a great game.

 

Southend done me proud.At the start of the game everyone e.g bookies, cifc fans and even dick marshall said you would win and i believed them. But webby on his fairwell made sure we got the win.

 

Canvey were unfortunate but the team who deserved to win WON. You were far too negative in the 1st game if you'd have been more offensive you would of beaten us. But away from home sufc on the counter attack are a good team

 

Canvey i must admit are no ordinary non league team. I was quite impressed with you defensivley and you played very well as a unit too. Boylon looked better than in the 1st game.

 

You should easily win the league this season but hopefully you will muck up and the hornchurch wiv danny gay and kerrigann will take the tittle.

 

The rivalry between us now is getting greater what is good.But your fans behavour was avery poor.

 

jeff king too sounded very sad atloosing That could of been the biggest win of your clubs life beating your local rivals in a real game BUT THANKFULLY FOR US YOU DIDNT.

 

 

[Phil Old Boy]

Just reading Merv's post and thought of similarities between Midgley and could not remember the other player, then the next post from Pilgrim had it and it was Matt Jones.

[YELLOW]

The problem with Midgley is he is being played out of position. At Barnet he was a centre forward but now he is being played at right wing back and is struggling to adapt to that position.

 

Midgley is not a bad player and has a great deal of talent. At times he has provided some sublime crosses but all too easily goes missing in games. His defensive capabilities are also suspect.

 

Personally I would play J.K at right wingback and put either Dobbo or Benno in midfield alongside Gooden and Minton to add a bit of steel.

 

I believe Midgley has a lot more to offer but not as a right wingback but unfortunately I doubt he'll ever play in his natural position with Boylan, Greggors, Junior and Ollie all viaing for a place up front.

[Phil Old Boy]

There must be reasons why Jeff perseveres with Midgley because most of us can see that he cannot contribute as others can and he is as you say YA being played out of position. To accomodate him though, just can't see why we should have a weakness in right midfield when we have probably the best non league player available to do the job there. Put JK in any position and he would play well. We do need to buy a defensive midfielder however.

[Matt H]

The easiest solution would be for Midgley & JK to do a straight swap position wise. Although YA has confirmed that he was a Centre Forward at Barnet his best postion is technically just behind the front line on the right side of a three man midfield!!

 

I rated Midgley when he came to Canvey and he developed a good reputation at Barnet, unfortunatley I haven't seen him play since. But hopefully I will later on this afternoon at Hornchurch!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

 

As for a Defensive Midfielder Phil, Dobbo gets the nod from me!! <img src="/images/graemlins/icon14.gif" alt="" />

 

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[ronin]

Midgley may not have set the world on fire yet but the man has been a consistent player in the conference for a few years before joining us. Swapping JK back to the right and Midgley into the centre will leave us without a holding player in the middle which won`t work. The fact is we have had a great run in the league and only just lost to Southend in the cup so why change now, there will be plenty of time for other formations when injuries and suspensions start hitting later in the season. I seem to remember the same sort of discussion last season involving Greggors and this season he`s had his best start for us.

[CIFC - Y.A]

See ya all there, for a (hopefully) wicked match! Good to see your going again Matt!