Afternoon smith_pne and thanks once again for your match summary..
Yes it was a very disappointing result and one that most fans didn't expect, but as mentioned earlier in the thread not completely unexpected. Northend have been sailing close to the wind for a number of games now and on this occasion the O's got the better of us. So the winning run has come to an end and Northend have to re group, and do their best to put another winning sequence together and retain a position at the top end of the League.
We can all have our pet theories on what formation/Team and tactics should be adopted by the manager, but not a one of us has the experience that Phil Brown has or be privy to all the information at his disposal.
We were all conscious of the need not to become carried away by PNE's good start and now we have to be just as careful that we dont get carried away by one defeat in the last 8 League games. The O's finished last season in 7th place in this division just missing out on the playoffs, and the disappointment of missing out possibly carried over to the start of this season. Had Alexander scored from the penalty spot shortly after half time, the result might well have been different and we wouldn't be sat around looking for answers. It's a pity that the mates you took along missed seeing a Northend win, but did see how well supported the team are on their travels.
Hume and Daley will be missing from the Blades game due to International call up, so Phil Brown will have to think about the best way forward after losing yesterday ( and the number of goals we have been conceding ). Northend have to play Morecambe on Tuesday night in the JPT cup game and due to the competition rules will not be able to field a full shadow squad team, he has to play 6 players who played yesterday (I think). It is an opportunity for PB to mess around with team formation/tactics if he chooses to do so, and I am sure he will want to win the game. The Blades lost yesterday at home so they will be looking at getting their act back on track next Saturday like Northend.
Thanks for the summary smith_pne much appreciated...