Southend United Friendly

Today we beat Southend 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly. Gudmundsson scored the only goal on 84 minutes.


We started with: Henderson; Solly, Fox, Ben Haim, Bikey; Gudmundsson, Buyens, Jackson, Harriott; Pigott, Vetokele.

Subs were: Cousins, Church, Wiggins, Nego, Wilson, Morrison, Tucudean, Gomez, Pope, Munns.


Tucudean came on for Pigott at the break, whilst Wiggins, Wilson and Cousins replaced Fox, Solly and Harriott during the second half.

Does this mean Bob is considering Pigott for the first team, or is it simply that, having played the full game on Wednesday, he didn't want to overuse Tucudean?

 

I think this was a game for players who didn't play on Wednesday.... Morrow and Gomez unused on bench!

 

But Solly played roughly 3/4 of the game?

 

Solly missed all the games in Spain because of injury so they are trying to get starts into him.

 

Both. Tucudean was being rested and without Ghoochanejhad there was no-one else.

But I think Bob has a soft spot for Pigott and wants to give him every chance to establish himself before we resort to getting rid. Bob was a "big lump up front" himself, and probably favours that way of playing, and with Smith and Kermit gone we don't have another one, so he would like to save money if possible and not have to buy or borrow one.

Especially important as we will be relying on Vetokele for goals and he needs a "presence" alongside him. The reports are claiming that the two do link up well, and Pigott does seem to get into the game a lot. They are just not converting it into goals scored, so Bob's patience will run out sooner or later.

Tucudean is not a physical player, more of a "flair" player. I see him as an alternative to Vetokele rather than a partner and being used as an impact sub for a year until he toughens and quickens up.

Our defence and midfield looks adequate if we can get some teamwork going and keep Solly and Wiggins fit, but Bob is trying to make bricks without straw up front. I don't think any of the four names mentioned above are up to Championship standard, not as first picks for the front two, anyway.

When you look at the millions already spent, and the many more millions at stake if relegated, the sale of Kermorgant for peanuts is looking ever more foolish.