By Nathan Jackson
October 3 2010

Another day, another defeat, yet another game with no goals. As the Imps rapidly approach the 500 minute mark without scoring, it is becoming more evident that Chris Sutton has left us with a squad that aren't capable of anything more than a relegation battle.

When Chris Sutton arrived he stated the the squad left to him was awful, yet looking at it, some of the squad he's left us with are far worse. Jackson left a squad that although the strikers wouldn't set the world alight, they scored every now and then. It is ridiculous that a former England striker has brought a load of strikers to this club that can't score. Sod the effort levels, being a striker is all about goals and none of the current crop, and yes, that includes Ben "Moan, Moan, Moan" Hutchinson, are seemingly capable of getting five between them, let alone a decent amount each.

The strike force is a joke, conceding just 12 in 10 games isn't actually that bad, but the problem is that these days it only takes one goal to beat us as we've got strikers that can't score. Only four of our fourteen shots were on target and none of the four really forced Morris into a save really as none were really good enough. Until we get a striker capable of scoring more than five goals a season, we are going to struggle.

Infact, looking at it more extensively, the four strikers that play in the first team on a regular basis has only ever scored four between them for the club. Ben Hutchinson has scored twice in nine games, Andy Hutchinson has scored just once in nineteen appearances, Facey has once in twenty one games and Drewe Broughton (right) has no goals in sixteen appearances. So in short, that is just four goals in a combined 65 games, an average of one goal every 16 games, I don't really need to state just how shocking that is.

However, the lack of quality isn't only up front, or at least common sense. Clark Keltie for example, it was his fault for the goal yesterday and his passing has been very wayward so far this season. Every single time he gets the ball when in the middle of the park, the very first place he looks to pass it is to Joe Anderson. Yesterday we had a free kick in our own half and instead of pumping it forward, he decides to play it about 10 yards in front of Anderson with a Southend player mere yards away.

Infact, if I was going to run through the poor quality of each of the players who play badly on a regular basis then I would be here for a while, so let's look at the postives. Well we created 14 shots, which is certainly an improvement and had we had a capable striker, we probably would have gotten something out of the game. I suppose we are improving in the sense that we're creating more chances. As I mentioned earlier, we don't concede that many compared to some other teams in the division, so if we do get a goalscorer then we should climb up the table.

Looking at the next few weeks though and you'll struggle to see where the points are coming from given that we don't play a team that are actually below us until November 20th. Macclesfield are in fine form and Shrewsbury are doing their usual promotion form start to the season and we then play a few teams around the midtable area and there's one thing for sure, there is a real danger that the new manager, whomever that will be, could take over a team at the bottom of the League. 

Reaction to the defeat at Southend

Discussion started by theimps.ka (IP Logged), 03/10/2010 11:34

theimps.ka
03/10/2010 11:34

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net