Southend United fans have their say on narrow defeat at Grimsby Town

Everyone tried their best but most players just not good enough for this level. From 11 that started, only Arnold, the loanees, Walsh and Murphy look up to the National League. Until big changes we will hover around bottom three. Can only improve bad players so much.

@Moorhouse79

We played a poor Grimsby on a good night and in a poor run of form. As we've seen at Roots Hall most National League sides would have won there last night. There's little positive evidence of avoiding another relegation at all.

@shrimpersaway

Couldn’t handle Grimsby running at our ageing full backs, Murphy desperately needed someone playing off him, feeding on scraps for 90 minutes. Real lack of creativity without Bridge.

@jacobwoods97

Gave ourselves a mountain to climb after an absolute disaster of a first five minutes. In the game the rest of the way without feeling like we’d actually get anything out of it. Four at the back worked better but Murphy very isolated up top. Brunt far too good for this team.

@samgoody23

You could see they were fragile. We conceded early but managed to stay in the game and with the right subs and personnel we could have sneaked a point. Subs were baffling as we got to the last 15 and didn’t bring on the calvary. Disheartening.

@JamesRBeattie

God it really is just cut and paste from the last four years. Much better formation kept us in the game but apart from 10 mins in the first half absolutely no threat going forward. Sideways or backward passes. Where was the big finish to try and get a point ? Seemed happy to lose 1-0.

@AdamMar87681715

I don’t understand how, still, we are struggling to create chances. Also very worrying that we’re not close to signing anyone. We need to get out a lot of players too. Put simply, we’re in trouble again already.

@glentiesbhoy

Team is clearly lacking confidence but signs of improvement after goal. Murphy worked hard but needs support, felt as if we were happy with a 1-0. Brunt best player on the pitch first half. Blues will have to find ways to score to stay in this league.

@simoncooper99

Outside of the awful start, we mostly matched table topping Grimsby for most of the game. That said,we need five or six new players good enough to dig us out of trouble.Maher is right to take time to get the right players and not just anyone like Brown did just to make up the numbers.

@tommyharris57

Just hope there are three worst teams than us.

@SearchTerry

The inclusion of three holding midfielders should have been abandoned at half time what was there to lose by bringing an extra forward on to help our lone striker? I don't think it was damage limitation as Grimsby appeared to be a side not in the best of form.

@phillsilver9

Just lost all interest to be honest. There was a time I would have the raving hump if we lost but now I just accept we are going to lose each week and if we don’t then it’s a bonus. Never felt like that in 34 years of supporting the Blues!

@Lee12731925

Grimsby's poor finishing saved us from another three or four thumping, nothing to do with any improvement on our part. Players not good enough, and why the Dalby sub in the last minute?!

@SteveShelsher

Played OK apart from the abysmal first four minutes but the sheer lack of any creativity and 'hit it long' gameplay doesn't bode well. Brunt was our one bright spark and Murphy was isolated and needed a foil.

@Gmski

Three or four players really struggled, but I think Maher did the right thing to try and build confidence by not going all out for a goal! It was a free hit with Grimsby flying high. Much better formation, Murphy left everything on the pitch and Brunt show glimpses of quality.

@stevetf8

OK so we didn't win but we were competitive with a team that went top. You can see the players are playing for the coach and there's improvement so now we need new players the encouraging thing is we're looking in the non leagues for hidden gems.

@kevjenks

No sign of improvement at all and no sign of scoring and I can see third successive relegation on the cards.

@searleslaura2

It's the same every single week now and it's embarrassing. I don't understand how Maher can tell us there is no one coming in soon when the standard of this team currently is so, so poor. Soon we'll be in the relegation zone because results won't go in our way.

@JB_Allen

For all the spells of possession and pressure we have in the final third, we rarely create many clear cut chances. There was enough tonight to make me think we can beat the likes of Maidenhead and Aldershot but it would be nice to pick up points against some sides higher up.

@Pete_Chatterton

Competitive but toothless going forward. Grimsby had couple of good players but otherwise average. Should’ve been more adventurous second half and played two up top. White really struggled against Sousa. Struggling to see what Murphy brings to the team.

@DonsEssex