Match report

Like many, I feared the worst when it the rumours spread about Martinez being dropped for this one. I needn't have worried, as today we put in a fantastic away performance to move back to the top of the table.

As it turned out, the press reports were half true, with el capitano named amongst the subs, and Kris O'Leary starting in central midfield alongside OTJ.
Garry Monk made his return in defence, displacing Kevin Austin to the bench.

The full line up was Gueret, Tate, Monk, Iriekpen, Ricketts, OTJ, O'Leary, McLeod, Britton, Trundle and Akinfenwa.

For a match involving first against second in the division in front of a full house and in the glare of media exposure, you'd have thought it'd be a tight, tense occasion. Not a bit of it. In an open first 10 minutes, there were half chances at either end, with Swansea looking far the more likely to make the first breakthrough.

When the game settled down, we took almost complete control for the next 15 minutes or so, during which we created at least 4 very presentable chances. Trundle was particularly outstanding, providing Bayo with enough chances for what could, on another day, have been a hat-trick for the big man.

In the end though, it was Trundle himself who made the breakthrough on 40 minutes. Some neat build-up play down the right saw the ball slipped though to the scouser, who drove the ball under the keeper from about 5 yards out.

We then survived a Southend free kick on the edge of our area to go in with a well deserved one goal lead.

The half time kickabout for the subs was halted briefly while they ogled the dancing girls, thoughtlessly obstructing our view in the process.

With the second half only a couple of minutes old, Trundle carried the ball down the left, attracting the attention of about half the Southend team, before the ball broke to Bayo, who had the easy task of side-footing home to double the lead.

Southend had to change something. The ineffective Goater was replaced, and they moved to a 433, which, coupled with the ever-present threat of nippy right winger Campbell-Ryce, made them a bit more threatening up front.

After creating a few chances, and seeing Eastwood miss with a close range header when Willy looked beaten, they finally got a goal back through the much-vaunted Eastwood, setting up a nervous final 10 minutes or so.

We saw it out, though, with Robinson replacing McLeod shortly before the end, and Trundle eating up time superbly in the corners.

So it seems like Jackett is a tactical genius after all! O'Leary and OTJ were excellent in central midfield, denying Southend any chance to create anything through the middle. Instead, they had to go wide to try to get behind us, with Campbell-Ryce (their best player on the day by far) giving Ricketts and McLeod plenty to think about on our left flank, although they just about coped.

Compared to the home side, we were able to get forward on both wings and through the middle, giving us far more options in attack.

At the back, Gueret had a solid game, and Monk and Izzy were both excellent, keeping Goater and Eastwood quiet for the majority of the game. Tate was impressive both going forward and in defence (in fact, I counted only one sloppy lapse of concentration from him today). McLeod and Britton provided plenty of threat, and Bayo should have had at least a couple today. At least he's getting in the right positions, but he needs to be finishing more of these chances off.

But the man of the match has to be Trundle. His first half display was pretty much a complete performance, and although he was starved of ball as Southend pushed forward in the second half, he definitely deserves the accolade. I don't care what the stats say. On this form, he's a priceless team player.

More of the same from all concerned on Friday, please.

Jeremy


Southend United 1 Swansea City 2 - Match Report by Stephen (Ramsden Heath), Pictures Andrew Thomas

A terrific game at Roots Hall saw the Swans return to the top of the league with a Lee Trundle inspired 2-1 win against Southend. Over 1000 Swansea fans in an 11090 gate gave huge support to the team. O'Leary played instead of Martinez as expected & Monk returned in the heart of the defence. The first half was all Lee Trundle inspired with som outrageous tricks that left the Southend defence panicking at times. Watch out for them on ITV Sport tomorrow.

For most of the half we wre totally dominant with Ade & Lee holding up & laying off the ball with consumate ease. there is no doubt that we shoul have scored earlier in the half, but in the end we got the deserved goal in the 41st minute when Ade held up the ball in the panalty area for trundle to pick up & slot under the keeper.Query delirious celebrations from us all. I'm 52 but I was singing & chanting with the best of the them at afirst half display that was absolutely fabulous. Could it continue, well the second half started with a bang.

A`quick free kick on the left by the Southend by-line was fed to Trundle who fought off 2 defenders to ship the ball over for an unmarked Ade to slot into the net. We had many chance in the first 20 minute of the 2nd hald & from the far end it seemed that at times it was harder to miss than score. Anyway, the fans around me were all\agreeing that as the half wore on we needed another goal & Mcleod was losing touch with the game. I flet ANdy Robinson should have come on much earlier,as we started to lose the mid-field.

Last 15 minutes a cross comes over & a bit of a scramble sees the ball ballon up & Willy unable to hold on just palms it up in the air for Eastwood to nod in. Queue nervous 10 mintes but the boys held out, for a famous victory, which was all the more pleasing for me as I live & work amongst Southen supporters & was in the company of the (injured) Southend goalie (Flavahan) on Thursday night, when he modelled a Steven Gerard signed England shirt at our charity do!.

Scores on the doors.

Willy 7 (not much to do flet he shouls have held on to the ball for their goal.
Sam, 8 under alot of pressure inthe 2nd hald from Campbell-Rice, when McLeod stopped tracking back.
Monk/Iriekpen (Combined) 11 They had Goater & Eastwood tied down for 85% of the game.
Tatey. 8 excellent, unlucky to get booked but reacted repsonibly
Mcleod. 7 on first half performance, faded badly in the second half & Kenny should have sub'd him earlier.
O'Leary 7 'cos the midfield did great but I cannot remember anything special baout him
Tudur-Jones ditto
Leon, 8 every where, just wish he could finish his runs into the box with a shot or a telling final ball.
Ade 8 battled & held up the ball fabulously, got a goal but missed a hat-full with some woeful finishing.
Lee Trundle 0nly 11 'cos they began to get to grips with hiem towards the end. Otherwise a masterclass & if Freddy eastwood thinks he is in the same league as Trundle he needs to watch the video of this game & learn!!



Jacks 11 observed the minutes silence impecably & gave huge suppprt throughout even when it got a little tense.
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE

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