| Southend match - the view of an exile 16:26 - Sep 3 with 7098 views | suffolkdale |
As I am normally someone who reads the reports/views of others for once it was good to be one of the 181, see it for yourself and then read others comments who weren't at the game, based on their previous opinions and short video evidence.
First of all it was a pleasure to be there as the team played their socks off for the shirt, no problems with morale or togetherness that I could see. The tenor of the game was established in the first minute when Jim fouled their winger and Phil Brown was already screaming at the referee for cards/ action etc - as a regular at the Dale's games at Southend something I have come to sadly expect as his teams are always a mirror image of the man and the officials not for the first time were completely taken in.
For example in the build up to the penalty incident Fortune was pulling our defenders shirt, as he did all game, right in front of the linesman - foul Southend. Corner, couldn't see the incident but not even Southend complained, penalty. Great save from Brendan Moore, in rushes Cox foot up right into the body of Moore, who could have writhed as per Phil Brown but chose to be professional and so nothing given from the ref.
As for Hendo's sending off - he was reaching for the ball, got the ball, the player went as well and then writhed accordingly. Slow motion replays are ok but they can prove almost anything if frozen at the right/wrong point and to me it was a strong challenge - cue same linesman Mr Cooper and off goes Hendo. By this time 'crippled' Southend player well away from the scene trotting around quite happily and watch the Sky highlights - note the winking Southend player, they knew exactly what they were doing and the linesman and ref fell for it.
After that it was a 'backs to the wall' performance in a game with eleven men I thought we could have won. Man of the match by a mile was Moore who commanded his area superbly, a long time since I have seen a Dale goalie time and time again pluck the ball from the air which must have given great confidence to the defence. Everybody else put in a shift, not perfect but a special mention for the Williams duo and a cameo from Donerven Daniels who if 10 minutes is anything to go by will be quite a signing.
All opinions are of course mine, based on first hand evidence as most of the crucial action happened right in front of us. Perhaps next year we will win at Southend .......... but in terms of a 0-0 draw much to be proud of and build upon. Up the Dale! |  | | |  |
| Southend match - the view of an exile on 11:00 - Sep 4 with 892 views | soulboy |
A very poor decision in my opinion. Hendo went for the ball and played the ball. I doubt if had been a Southend player it would have been yellow, never mind a straight red. |  | | |
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