By Jr
July 21 2005

There were a lot of protruding bottom lips after a fatigued Millwall got trounced at Southend United. Okay, it was only 2-0, but it could have been more. But putting it in context, (as Claridge would have us do) we do have to experiment in these games, otherwise what's the point of friendlies? So what did we learn?

Well, we can see normally reliable defenders making uncharacteristic mistakes, like Paul Robinson's air kick. Matt Lawrence's hasn't had the best of pre-seasons either and neither has Mark Phillips. But does it matter?

As Claridge says, it's all about what happens when the season kicks off. The new boss is literally running the players' socks off, and they say you have to knacker yourself in pre-season to build up your stamina for the real kick off.

So don't expect too many good performances before Leeds away. So long as we're in peak condition for that game and what follows, all will be forgiven.

For what it's worth, here's how our team did at Southend: (4-4-2)

GK: Isailovic 5 - kicking was poor and the Serbian was at fault for Southend's 2nd.

RB: Dunne 5 - not so at home at right back, got increasingly frustrated.

CB: Phillips 5 - not as solid as usual.

CB: Robinson 5 - see Phillips.

LB: Johnson 5 - kept the ball well, but defensively suspect.

RM: Igoe 6 - looked good at times.

CM: Hutchinson 5 - did little except for a well taken free kick.

CM: Morris (c) 6 - played better with experience alongside him.

LM: Simpson 5 - largely anonymous.

ST: May 6 - had to drop deep to get the ball, control was good.

ST: Peeters 5 - very quiet.

subs:

ST: Hayles 5 - couldn't make an impact.

CM: Serioux 5 - made a fantastic run at the end, but that was about it.

CB: Lawrence 5 - looked jittery.

ST: Bastianini 5 - couldn't make much of an impression.

LB: Livermore 5 - couldn't steady the sinking ship.

CM: Elliott 5 - see Livers.