In defence of the team...

[Houso]

Dowell was a victim of what was around him

I'm sure he was, and that was Wilder's fault as much as it was the respective players.

 

[HeySethUTB]

Agreed

 

[Revolution]

Dowell was a victim of what was around him, wilder approached this game a little too relaxed in terms of team selection and I’m sure he will let the 11 know that maybe he took too much of a risk.

I'm not sure he cares. He didn't treat the fixture with any respect.

 

[robbiez666]

WIlder gave a fucking clear message today to those upstairs how fucking threadbare the team is - all over the park. Last season we lost a key player in a key position and he was forced to bring in Lundstram, who back then showed he was never even close to Championship standard, and has continued to do so ever since. We are one brick thick right across the park and everyone knows it. The first eleven are a decent side and capable of a respectable position in the Championship, but those below (and who should be keeping the first eleven looking over their shoulders) are clearly not even capable of challenging for that first team position. That cuts both ways, because there's nowt more fucking fatal in football than complacency.

It's all very well blaming Wilder. He has to rest his first eleven and give the opportunity to show what their worth is today - against a side way down the leagues - they've brought no small amount of fucking shame upon the supporters. Beaten by fucking Barnet. At home.

We all know the reaction to this will be 'do nowt' by the board. They'll hope that when the 1st XI show up next match we'll coast through and everything will be fucking toasty. But you watch. If we end up with suspensions, transfers out or injuries toward the end of the season and our options are Bryan or Lundstram (and that is where it counts) we are fucked.

Today is another 'Southend/Port Vale at home' landmark in our evolution.

pommpey

Lundtram, a player Wilder signed and we paid a fee for? How much did he pay for Stearman?

I'm sorry but Wilder is to blame for the result today, pure and simple. They are all his players. Sure, there's no money and he has done miracle with the little he has had. However, to throw 11 players, including 2 debutantes, into a game is naive, negligent and an insult to all those fans who paid to experience it.

 

[PokerBlade]

I'll preface my comments by saying that I don't give a shit about the FA Cup.

I actually kind of wanted to see that side. There were plenty of players in there I wanted to see play a full competitive game. What's disappointed me is that none of them have given Wilder a tough decision for his next fixture.

The only positive is that it was great to see Coutts get a full game. He was the only player who's really put in a good shift today.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Well, if CW & AK had any doubts about some of the second string players then they will have a clear vision about them now. The OP said " In defence of the team ". No, that was indefensible.

 

[blackydog]

Strikes me as one of those very few games I’ve seen as a blade under wilder where the players just don’t really seem up for it, the mass changes didn’t help, however, even with arguably our second string you would have expected us to have put Barnet to bed. I honestly thought some of those lads out there today would be chopping at the bit to try and put doubt in the mind of wilder and knills next team selection.

On Johnson/Freeman not sure what they offer at the minute, god help us if Stevens gets injured not sure either on current performance levels would be the ideal candidate to fill in. Dowell looked bright and I think when he as Norwood, fleck, Didsy and sharp buzzing around him he will have more freedom to try and create openings. Overall disappointing result, the old “focus on the league” cliche may be said during interviews although wasn’t that the case anyway. UTB onwards and hopefully upwards, I’m certain sure wilder will give them a talking to after that.

I'm afraid that was the real reason for me. Can't call them a second string though when they have hardly played together.