Yesterday was my first game in over a year and.......

OK, I havent been for a while whilst I've been living away from the fine city, just a few observations......

Hughes at left back to me was a complete liability, he did put a degree of effort in but resembled a drunk foreign YTS striker thrown into the position. The amount of times that Shacks was screaming at him to drop/get tight/push out deonstrated that Hughes simply didnt have knowledge and understanding of the position required, if Southend had realised this earlier, and if Campbell-Ryce on the right had a decent touch they would have been laughing down the right and could eaily have gone in at half time three up.

Dublin, very lucky to be on the pitch. Kicking out right in front of the linesman would be classed as stupid if dont by a young player, but a 37 year old who knows every game could be his last. Very stupid. His saving grace was that he talked for everything but frankly he's just not mobile enough. Most the balls in the air you would expect him to go for went to Earnie. If we cant pick out a static frontman in the box then we shouldn't play a static frontman, let alone a 37-year old who just can't keep up, and I know there aren't many other options.

Croft, my man of the match, ran tirelessly all game not afraid to take a man on and looked surprisingly sharp considering how long he's been out. I like the way Crofty gets the right-back into the game to create space. I just don't think Colin's the guy give Cave-Brown a run or get someone else in.

Safri, the man got the biggest ovation when he started warming up and Dion's reaction of hands in the air screaming 'thank fck for that' when he came on shows that nobody wants to see him out of the side. The sad truth though is he must be leaving, the shirt into the crowd salute at the end was so ominous it was almost painful. Whether or not a January deal was struck before Grant took over i don't know, but if that was the case, Grant may've decided to plan his team without him as he knew he was on his way. It will be a shame to see Saf go as he was good for a couple of seasons and scored one of the finest goals ever at Carrow Road.

Riordan played for Celtic yesterday which i guess means he might stay.

It's simple, If Earnie goes and we don't spend 4 million on the team this club is going down very very quickly.

Posted By: samcd84, Dec 27, 13:33:28