Brentford 2 - 0 Southend - The player ratings

Last updated : 15 February 2006 By Smallsy
Both sides battled hard tonight and though Brentford came out on top it was easy to see how Southend have landed themselves a place amongst the contenders for the Championship.

Southend

Flahavan - Unlucky with the goals, played very well and made some excellent saves in the first half. Wasn't given a great deal of cover by his defense especially from set pieces.

Jupp - Did eveything right apart from scoring an own goal, commited when defending and always gave an option. Far too exposed by his midfielder to the runs of Tillen

Prior - Commanded the back four well, however couldnt cope arially with the height of Brentford. Lacked a yard of pace and sharpness to defend against quick reacting strikers.

Sodje - Looked lively but was physicall over powered by Gayle and Rankin. Didn't communicate effectuvely with those around him and was often caught out of position, another one who struggled arially.

Barrett - Did well not in his natural position, defended with credit but offered very little going forward or when it came to wide options.

Bentley - Looked dangerous when running toward players but was out of position several times when it came to helping his full back. Needed more ball to show what he can really do.

Cole - Did ok in the spell which he came on in when Southend were on top but influenced the game very little and appread to be passed by very often by long balls from the back.

Guttridge - Excellent defensively but offered his attackers very little. Made several key interceptions and passes but very few times were these moves followed up with real promise.

Maher - A bright point in the performance. Linked the midfield and attack well and helped on the defense when possible. Clever and tricky always showed for the ball and tried to make something happen.

Gower - Very much like Bentley wasn't used enough in the game to be effective though when he did have the ball provided several dangerous crosses but didnt use his pace enough to be able to cause real problems.

Goater - Not a great game for the former Man City legend, showed very little with the ball. All his work was done in deep areas and therefore he couldnt support the attacks very well. Linked up nicely with Eastwood but would contribute enough to help set up many openings.

Bradbury - Caused problems when he came on and helped Eastwood to find space with his movement. Held the ball up reasonably well and tried to use his strength to create openings.

Eastwood - One of the future definately, very much the focal point of the Southend game. Worked hard up top and looked dagerous with the ball. Unlucky in hitting the post and used the space which Brentford defenders afforded him in an effective way.

Brentford

Nelson - Safe and secure the Bees number one was back to his best today, wavered with an early parry but got strong as the game went on. Didn't look confident in the air but his handling and kicking were excellent.

O'Connor - Defensively excellent display, helped the midfield and was always willing to make a run. Looked comfortable on the ball and unflustered when faced by the dangerous Eastwood.

Sodje - Once more the Brentford star man. Dominant in the air and impressive on the ground, had a tendancy to over play with the ball at feet but always made up for his errors in a determined and irreplaceable fashion. Four men marking the Nigerian on corners and throw ins demonstrates exactly what made him so superb.

Turner - A much improved performance from Sodje's partner. Made a difference with his tackling ability ansd controlled defending which slowed attacks against the Bees. Still had a tendancy to be overly physical and gave away several needless free kicks.

Frampton - Looked solid at the back and made a difference going forward and aiding Tillen to make space. Interchanged well with his left sided collegue and defended resolutely whenever he had to.

Tabb - Impressive and lively in midfield Tabb flitted in and out of the game. Controlled on the ball and always posessed a threat when in posession, hussled the defenders into mistakes and worked hard for the duration of the game.

Pratley - Returning to the side the on loan Fulham man showed his pedigree tonight with an array of skills and a superb display. Passing and tackling whenever given the chance he was all over the midfield and presented problems constantly for the defense.

Newman - Helped the defense to a clean sheet with a dogged and hussling display. Shut down players all over the pitch and was able to take control of the midfield and start up attacks with short passes and being in the right place.

Tillen - Showed why he's been selected by Peter Taylor to represent England, put in a performance worthy of a call up. Offered an option and delivered a final ball more often than not. Attackingly excellent and also helped out Frampton whenever needed.

Rankin - Played better in his prefered position and held the line well with Gayle. Always a winning runner and offering a move into the channel he was difficult to defend. Started his duties defensively from the front and helped the team unit as a whole.

Gayle - Showed a youthful quality and the hardworking ability which has served him in spells throughout his career. Was imposing on defenders and difficult to mark. Held the ball up well and took his goal excellently.

Owusu - Came on and did well in holding together the brentford game. His injection of energy came as a welcome respite to defending and was unfortunate on several occasions to not get the right bounce of the perfectly weighted pass.