Teams that have beaten us this season have been organised, and we are stating to show signs of having that same quality. We could do well to develop our first touch, which if it was of the quality of our warm up sessions, during the actual game, we would be retaining the ball for longer periods, building up good attacking moves, and winning more games.

Southend did get the ball into the Swans net in the first half, but the fist that put it there, attached to Whelan's arm, also found its way into the referee's book. We had a couple of shots at goal, and towards the end of the half, three quick fire corners, which were well taken, and caused the Southend defence some problems.

Cash showed signs of promise, and knows his position and aims as a winger. He obviously has pace, and is not afraid to take on defenders. He did not transform the team, but he has added a dimension that we lacked, and looks a good introduction to the squad. Hopefully if Brian Flynn can find the other one or two players he has in mind, without outside intervention causing him headaches, then we could yet build a team that will put together some winning runs, and please the fans. The club needs the gate to be over the 3,623 that it was today, and results more than style will do that.
Keaveny, who was having a poor game compared to recent form, was replaced at half time by Williams. For the first 20 minutes Willo was lively, and used his head well to flick the ball forward. With Cash and Thomas looking for the breakthrough, this was promising, but once that period had passed he faded.

The Swans secured the lead on 50 minutes, when Lee Jenkins was adjudged to have been brought down in the area following a Cash cross. There followed a long delay, during which time the referee examined everyone's feet positions around the penalty area (he really was that pedantic), but eventually Thomas calmly stepped up to place the ball to the keeper's right, with the keeper exiting stage left.

The game was fairly lifeless by now, although the Swans did defend well as Southend looked for the equaliser, and had we been in possession of a few more fast men, we could well have extended the lead.

There was the usual smattering of yellow cards throughout the game – are they a compulsory 5 per game minimum now?? – and the referee seemed to have a thing about not letting the trainer on unless the player was having convulsions or was unconscious. Some very strange and quirky men in black around now.

The Swans used two more substitutions in the second half with Lacey replacing Reid, who was quite fiery today, and possibly in danger of being red carded if left on for the full 90 minutes, and Jackson coming on for De Vulgt when the full back was hit hard, seemingly in the shoulder, fell holding his leg, and was carried off with probable concussion holding his head. Neither substitute added too much to the performance, and both were exposed for lack of speed and ideas on more than one occasion.

In the end it was a very satisfactory three points, on the back of what was a very average display compared to some recent periods of play. At this stage, we'd take the points without doubt, so have no complaints on that front. We have crawled off the bottom again, but this time replaced by Carlisle, our next opponents. There is a battle developing at the bottom of this division, and we need to get a couple of places away from it to allow us some breathing space, as soon as we can.

• Freestone 7 Looked more secure than of late.
• De-Vulgt 6 Poor 1st half when rescued by Smudger several times, better 2nd half.
• Howard 6 Steady game, distribution let him done a few times.  
• O'Leary 6 Battled hard, but poor in relation to Smudger today.  
• Smith 8 Without doubt Man of the Match, again.
• Reid 6 Customary booking, too often seems more interested in physical battles than playing football.
• Mumford 6 At times looked class, but gave the ball away far too often, and still not in shape.
• Jenkins 7 The pick of the midfield today
• Cash 7 Quiet 1st half, much more involved 2nd half. His cross led to penalty. Keaveny 5 Didn't look like the same player as performed at Oxford. Substituted at half time.
• Thomas 7 Seemed to relish new system with winger. Took penalty really well.  
• Lacey 5 Didn't really add anything to midfield other than a fresher pair of legs.
• Williams 5 Played well for 20 minutes then inexcusably seemed to tire.
• Jackson Only on for a few minutes, but did nothing at all to impress in that time.

Three things were clear in our minds as we left the ground after today's encounter with Southend.

1. Referees are more concerned with booking players who throw the ball away or argue than they are with people who commit foul play.

2. Three points from a win gets a standing ovation no matter what the team performance was like.

3. The Sponsor's Man Of The Match Award is definitely drawn out of a hat.