Southend United's Paul Sturrock: Top three fight is lost

3:23pm Monday 16th April 2012 in Sport By Chris Phillips

Ryan Hall battles for the ball at Torquay United Ryan Hall battles for the ball at Torquay United

SOUTHEND United manager Paul Sturrock was left suffering mixed emotions following his side’s hard fought 0-0 draw at Torquay United on Saturday.

The Scotsman was full of praise for the way Blues battled against their high flying hosts.

But Sturrock felt a share of the spoils was not enough to keep alive Southend’s slight hopes of a top-three finish.

“I thought we played very well, especially in the second half and that was very pleasing to see against such a well-organised side, but at the same time this result has probably cost us any chance of automatic promotion,” said Sturrock.

“We will of course keep trying because it’s not mathematically impossible yet and we obviously want to do well in the three league games we have left.”

Blues remained fifth in the League Two table after the stalemate but are still six points behind third-placed Torquay with just three games to go.

A place in the play-offs therefore looms large but Sturrock was encouraged by Southend’s display against the promotion-pushing Gulls.

“Torquay are a very good side and they’ve done brilliantly to get in to such a good position, but I thought we actually had the better chances,” said Sturrock.

FULL STORY IN MONDAY'S ECHO

Comments (9)

5:26pm Mon 16 Apr 12

Dumain says...

And Sturrock must take the blame for failing to gain automatic promotion by his negative tactics and bad team selection. I wasn't at Torquay but their manager said Southend got the draw we played for. We have played for a draw too many times this season. Sturrock has to carry the can. On your bike Paul.
And Sturrock must take the blame for failing to gain automatic promotion by his negative tactics and bad team selection. I wasn't at Torquay but their manager said Southend got the draw we played for. We have played for a draw too many times this season. Sturrock has to carry the can. On your bike Paul. Dumain

9:46pm Mon 16 Apr 12

benfleetblue says...

Dumain wrote:
And Sturrock must take the blame for failing to gain automatic promotion by his negative tactics and bad team selection. I wasn't at Torquay but their manager said Southend got the draw we played for. We have played for a draw too many times this season. Sturrock has to carry the can. On your bike Paul.
Here here,couldn't have put it better myself- we need a change and soon.
[quote][p][bold]Dumain[/bold] wrote: And Sturrock must take the blame for failing to gain automatic promotion by his negative tactics and bad team selection. I wasn't at Torquay but their manager said Southend got the draw we played for. We have played for a draw too many times this season. Sturrock has to carry the can. On your bike Paul.[/p][/quote]Here here,couldn't have put it better myself- we need a change and soon. benfleetblue

11:08pm Mon 16 Apr 12

Barnet Shrimper says...

With regret, but not surprisingly, I agree with the previous comments. As I have said before, Manager Sturrock has done well with the squad of mainly free transfers players, but his management and tactics have been perplexing, maybe that's why he has been around so many clubs. Sadly, I think he and many of the squad have gone as far as they can, and it will have to be up to the "Board" if serious aim next season is for Div 1, which frankly we are not yet ready for. I say again , as time etc has passed, the question should be asked "do we really need a new larger stadium now, until he present one is filled regularily"? Look what has happened to Darlington etc. Well done Blues, but it could have been better in 2011-12, !
With regret, but not surprisingly, I agree with the previous comments. As I have said before, Manager Sturrock has done well with the squad of mainly free transfers players, but his management and tactics have been perplexing, maybe that's why he has been around so many clubs. Sadly, I think he and many of the squad have gone as far as they can, and it will have to be up to the "Board" if serious aim next season is for Div 1, which frankly we are not yet ready for. I say again , as time etc has passed, the question should be asked "do we really need a new larger stadium now, until he present one is filled regularily"? Look what has happened to Darlington etc. Well done Blues, but it could have been better in 2011-12, ! Barnet Shrimper

12:07am Tue 17 Apr 12

bob2222 says...

The club needs a major overhaul in the transfer window if the club goes up or not.

30+ players is a joke and the club does not that many at all.

The blame is at Sturrocks door and the person who let him buy as many players.

If the club is not promoted Sturrock will be gone and rightly so, even if we fluke our way via the play offs is Sturrock really the right man to make this club a solid league 1 club?

In my view, no he is not.
The club needs a major overhaul in the transfer window if the club goes up or not. 30+ players is a joke and the club does not that many at all. The blame is at Sturrocks door and the person who let him buy as many players. If the club is not promoted Sturrock will be gone and rightly so, even if we fluke our way via the play offs is Sturrock really the right man to make this club a solid league 1 club? In my view, no he is not. bob2222

1:33pm Tue 17 Apr 12

bong74 says...

WHY DON'T YOU LOT MANAGE THE TEAM, YOU ALL SEEM TO KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT haha!!
WHY DON'T YOU LOT MANAGE THE TEAM, YOU ALL SEEM TO KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT haha!! bong74

4:09pm Tue 17 Apr 12

Ray Badger says...

What planet are you lot living on ? Last season we kicked off with just 4 pro's on the books and since then Paul Sturrock has built a promotion challenging team. Sorry we aren't Chelsea or Man City and so can't buy instant success but if that's all you want, why don't go and watch them !
What planet are you lot living on ? Last season we kicked off with just 4 pro's on the books and since then Paul Sturrock has built a promotion challenging team. Sorry we aren't Chelsea or Man City and so can't buy instant success but if that's all you want, why don't go and watch them ! Ray Badger

4:49pm Tue 17 Apr 12

bob2222 says...

No one is saying about instant success, not sure where you got that from.

Theres many factors that have changed peoples minds, the first and main thing is the style of play, the pointless hoofball does not suit this team and Sturrock is far to stubborn to change it.

He will be seen as the person at fault this season if we dont go up and I cant see the board keeping him if we dont get promoted.

Just because people dont like the manager does not mean we dont support the team...
No one is saying about instant success, not sure where you got that from. Theres many factors that have changed peoples minds, the first and main thing is the style of play, the pointless hoofball does not suit this team and Sturrock is far to stubborn to change it. He will be seen as the person at fault this season if we dont go up and I cant see the board keeping him if we dont get promoted. Just because people dont like the manager does not mean we dont support the team... bob2222

8:13pm Tue 17 Apr 12

thundersleycobbler says...

I dont get you Guys,You still could get promoted . Or you are in the playoffs.Having watched Football in the bottom two divisons for the last fifteen years at Northampton its only about one thing , Getting out.Hope you do it
I dont get you Guys,You still could get promoted . Or you are in the playoffs.Having watched Football in the bottom two divisons for the last fifteen years at Northampton its only about one thing , Getting out.Hope you do it thundersleycobbler

10:38am Wed 18 Apr 12

Shrimpers Not Blues says...

Ray Badger wrote:
What planet are you lot living on ? Last season we kicked off with just 4 pro's on the books and since then Paul Sturrock has built a promotion challenging team. Sorry we aren't Chelsea or Man City and so can't buy instant success but if that's all you want, why don't go and watch them !
Totally agree with this comment. Martin Ling comes out with "Southend came for a draw and got it" comment in defence of his side being incapable of scoring.

If you watch the highlights on the BBC and Sky playback services, they both suggest that it was Southend that was going for the win in the second half, doesn't sound like playing for a draw to me. So who do you believe, the oppostion manager or the TV companies who are neutral reporters.

On a totally different note I am very dissapointed that The Echo has not made mention of former Shrimper Eddie May who sadly passed away at the weekend. Eddie was in the team when I made my first venture into Roots Hall in 1968, sadly he left at the end of that season.
[quote][p][bold]Ray Badger[/bold] wrote: What planet are you lot living on ? Last season we kicked off with just 4 pro's on the books and since then Paul Sturrock has built a promotion challenging team. Sorry we aren't Chelsea or Man City and so can't buy instant success but if that's all you want, why don't go and watch them ![/p][/quote]Totally agree with this comment. Martin Ling comes out with "Southend came for a draw and got it" comment in defence of his side being incapable of scoring. If you watch the highlights on the BBC and Sky playback services, they both suggest that it was Southend that was going for the win in the second half, doesn't sound like playing for a draw to me. So who do you believe, the oppostion manager or the TV companies who are neutral reporters. On a totally different note I am very dissapointed that The Echo has not made mention of former Shrimper Eddie May who sadly passed away at the weekend. Eddie was in the team when I made my first venture into Roots Hall in 1968, sadly he left at the end of that season. Shrimpers Not Blues

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