Town fell to their second pre-season defeat in two games as early goals saw Southend to a 2-1 victory at Roots Hall. Kane Ferdinand had already spurned one opportunity when he opened the scoring in the sixth minute, the Republic of Ireland U19 international heading in the second off Luke Chambers’s knee five minutes later. The Blues’ reply was a Bryan Gunn-esque own goal from Mark Phillips after the break.

Blues boss Paul Jewell named an almost full strength side with only Lee Martin missing due to his thigh injury. Josh Carson lined up on the left of a five-man midfield with Massimo Luongo sitting behind Andy Drury and Luke Hyam in the centre and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas on the right.

The Shrimpers should have been in front in the first minute, Ryan Hall crossing from the right and Kane Ferdinand, strongly linked with Town a year ago, headed over the bar when he really should have scored.

But it took the home side only five more minutes to go in front. Hall swung in a left-footed freekick from the right and this time Ferdinand made no mistake with his header across Scott Loach and into the net. Paul Jewell will have been less than impressed to see the third goal conceded from a set piece in two games.

The Hall-Ferdinand combination was giving the Blues all sorts of problems and in the 11th minute they put their side two goals in front. Hall sent in a deep cross from the right and Ferdinand nodded the ball against Luke Chambers’s knee, the ball beating the wrong-footed Loach and creeping over the line.

Town looked to recover from their woeful start, keeping the ball for spells but without creating anything of note.

On 24 Carson scuffed a shot from the edge of the area, then moments later Edwards sent in a dangerous cross which was put out for a corner as the Blues finally started to get going.

Emmanuel-Thomas lashed over from distance on 28, but in the 35th minute Southend came close to a third, again from a set piece. Hall whipped over a corner from the right, Neil Harris flicked across goal and Edwards cleared off the line.

In the 40th minute Luongo sent Edwards away on the right and the Trinidadian whipped in a low ball but just too far in front of Drury, who moments later saw a cross-shot claimed by Southend keeper Daniel Bentley.

The whistle went soon after without the Blues having come any closer to reducing the deficit with manager Jewell having a fair bit to think about, most notably the ease with which the League Two scored their two goals and could have scored one or perhaps even two more. At the other end, 19-year-old Southend keeper Bentley had hardly been tested.

At the break Jewell swapped Drury for Ryan Stevenson, the Scot joining Chopra up front. Luongo hit a shot which Bentley claimed two minutes after the break, then at the other end Chambers did well to take the ball off striker Gavin Tomlin as he bore down on goal.

Edwards crossed far too far in front of Stevenson and Chopra on 50, Carson just reaching it at the far post but putting it wide.

Two minutes later, Town’s Aaron Cresswell’s dangerous cross from the left was diverted over by Southend’s Ryan Cresswell. From the corner, Chambers’s header was blocked on the line, then Bentley did well to block from Stevenson.

But the home side were still looking dangerous from set pieces and in the 58th minute, after a Hall corner had been half-cleared, Ryan Leonard crossed from the left and Mark Phillips headed over.

Luongo wasted a decent chance on the edge of the area, the ball falling to him after a Hyam strike had been blocked. The on-loan Spurs man failed to make the most of another opportunity soon afterwards when he tried to chip the keeper from a very tight angle on the right inside the area when he should have cut it across the six-yard box to a number of waiting team-mates.

The Blues were handed a lifeline in the 71st minute when Mark Phillips passed the ball back to keeper Bentley from distance. There seemed little danger until the ball hit a bobble and bounced over his foot Bryan Gunn style and into the net. As the Shrimpers lined up for the restart, Jimmy Bullard replaced Hyam in the Blues midfield.

Soon after, Stevenson came close to getting Town on terms with a powerful strike from the edge of the area which rattled the angle of post and bar.

Bentley went some way towards making amends for his earlier error on 77 with an impressive save from Chopra. The Blues striker twisted and turned inside the area before unleashing a shot which the Basildon-born glovesman did well to block to his left.

As the game entered its final 10 minutes Bullard lashed across the face of goal, then Emmanuel-Thomas curled an effort just wide.

But the Shrimpers weren’t to be denied a victory which seemed certain after they went two goals in front so early on in the game.

As at Luton, the Blues improved after the break but overall in addition to the failings at the back, they didn’t create enough going forward until the very late stages.

Town: Loach, Edwards, Cresswell, Chambers, Delaney, Luongo, Hyam (Bullard 71), Drury (Stevenson 46), Emmanuel-Thomas, Chopra, Carson. Unused: Lee-Barrett, Ainsley, Scotland, Murray, Kourouma, Whight.

Southend: Bentley, Clohessy, Straker, Ferdinand, Cresswell, Phillips, Hall, Leonard (Brogan 80), Harris (Eastwood 69), Tomlin (Benyon 69), Hurst (Martin 82). Unused: Barker, Prosser, Brogan, Martin, Benyon, Eastwood. Ref: Mick Russell. Att: 1,009 (Town: 177).

Photo: Action Images

ian_marshall added 22:16 - Jul 31 Jas0999 Are you bedroom walls black ?
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ian_marshall added 22:16 - Jul 31 Jas0999 Are your bedroom walls black ?
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Cattee11 added 22:16 - Jul 31 This is worrying! I KNOW it a friendly, however, they are good for confidence also. Seem like Jewell has learnt nothing! Same stuff same loses.
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GTRKing added 22:19 - Jul 31 Looks it's a friendly Sat is what matter's against West Ham If we win then that show we will do well.
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fussysnake added 22:20 - Jul 31 I know the results dont matter, but you still expect to get a draw out of games against Southend and Luton. It is worrying to be hounest, but I'll keep the faith. The worst thing is that we are playing a full-strength squad and still loosing :S Please sort it out PJ p.s. Sorry JET (#sorry)
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casanovacrow added 22:21 - Jul 31 Its only pre-season but it shows we have came back with pretty much more of the same as last season. DESPERATE need of physical presence in the side, same as last season, even worse off this one tbh after loosing the likes of Murph and Sonko. No wonder set plays are a frailty. Jewell keeps sticking to the same system which has only ever worked when Hyam, Drury and Martin were in the middle (when it was forced on him). With any luck we will get some suitable players in before the start of the season, not just panic buys. Without that the signs aren't good

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martin12120137 added 22:22 - Jul 31 jas mate i totally agree with you! it unbelivable how everyone is happy with a loose we want to win every game and the way i see it that was near enough our strongest team and most probably the formation jewell will play this season as much as i dont want him to and if we cant beat the likes of southend and luton what chances do we have! we need to win these game for a confidence boost its not going to help the lads confidence keep losing! anyone can see we need another striker why dont we sort it out! i see bristol have had a 1.5 million offer accepted for baldock why dont we go in with the same offer surely he wil choose us over them he is a proven scorer and will do a job for us come on pj sort it out! stop relying on loanes and freebies you do have to spend money sometimes!

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TractorBoy666 added 22:24 - Jul 31 Well, losing again from similar signs is worrying i'd say. As I've said before though friendlies do not matter, no points received. But i think we can all say, that we need a leader at the back, maybe someone who is tall because if we are conceding like we are from set pieces all the time, their needs to be a change. We definitely need another striker, as when Chops isn't scoring, we need somebody else. ME really needs to back Jewell up with some money first though.

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Mark added 22:24 - Jul 31 It was just a warm up game, although still disappointing of course given the seniority of the players involved. Still, I doubt Hyam in an advanced midfield role will play in that position in league fixtures. Our defence is worrying, but it is all about understanding so we need to give the players time to get to know each other with Loach and Chambers recent additions. Also, there is Smith to come back from the Olympics of course. I think we need to bring in someone with aerial ability after the departure of Murphy, as Jewell has said. Two weeks until the start of the season though, so we'll need to do that soon! We also need cover at left-back and centre back, and a winger and a striker would be nice too. I'll keep saying it: Jewell has only spent about £500K this summer and managed to bring in Loach, Chambers, Hewitt and Luongo (loan) which seems good business. Paul hasn't been given the money to spend that Jim and Roy had, so don't expect a £2M Norris, a £4M Edwards/Leadbitter double swoop, or a £18-a-week (rumoured) Fulop. We have to go for less experienced players and give them time.

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ChurchmanBlue added 22:30 - Jul 31 Jas0999 You got me all excited by saying that was your last post, and then you went and spoilt it.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 22:40 - Jul 31 Jas0999 has it spot on, its ok saying "its only a friendly" but some on here seem totally blinkered to what's happening.......
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mugsykets added 22:41 - Jul 31 People, people! Calm down. Those of you who are old (like me) might remember that in 1990 we lost EVERY pre-season game (under John Lyall) then went on to 'comfortably' win the 'old' second division! I'm not necessarily saying that's going to happen now but let's not read too much into these results!
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ITFCforlife added 22:42 - Jul 31 We were poor at the start. Anyone else see the OG it was hilarious. Bullard was good when he came on and controlled the game as did Luongo whos passing is excellent. Buy Kane Ferdiand? Anyway its nice to see my local team win
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TownOnTheUp added 22:42 - Jul 31 We are in trouble. We've been in trouble for a long time. Last season was saved by some fantastic, gritty, team performances at a time when we had our backs to the wall. Jewell, Clegg, Evans, whoever is responsible, needs to sort this out by pulling their fingers out and signing 3 or 4 quality players. Where are our match winners? Where's the spark in midfield? Where's our last ditch tackle when all hope is lost? Look at Blackpool, who last season had players like Phillips and Ince, who could dazzle and score. Look at the Hammers with Tomkins and Green. Ex-Premier League teams, sure, but how about Southampton? Players like Lambert, Sharp, and Lallana. Norwich when they went up too. We have, what? Bullard? An ageing, past it, midfielder with dodgy knees. Chopra? Perhaps a decent striker. Smith? Is he consistently good enough? JET is the only player who is really good enough to be in a promotion team. I am not usually too negative, or positive. Rather, I think I have a balanced view of us as a team. So it says something to me that I am actually posting this - we aren't going anywhere. I don't solely blame Jewell. Sure, I don't think he should be the manager, and I didn't when he was appointed either. Rather, the fault lies with the fact that we don't have the players and that's Evans, Jewell and Clegg's fault. I will reiterate - we need quality players. A striker, a quick, direct winger, a midfield spark, and a right-back. If we don't have at least two of these players in by the end of the window then we will be bottom half. That is reality. And as a Town fan I am sincerely hoping that they can all prove me wrong.

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Ole_Pablo_Ole added 22:46 - Jul 31 I can't believe people are getting all worked up over a couple friendly losses! I wonder if Spain fans got this worked up when England beat them... actually I don't wonder because I am sure they didn't give a sh*t
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GibbsITFC added 22:48 - Jul 31 Well thats that then, were relegated and sh*t. Oh wait im not part of this ridiculous group that think ANY manager in the whole world would get sacked because of friendly results hahaha. If you wanna moan, f*ck off to carrow road, its people like you that make us laughing stocks! You're all jokes! A fantastic support is crucial for a successful team! (only exception being wigan) so please, im begging all of you older fans who were lucky enough to see us win european cups etc. dont lose faith and do what british people do best! Keep calm and carry on supporting! Last few seasons the attendance has dropped soo much and its sad to see, i was lucky enough to see us in our last premiership stint and it was wicked, we will only get back there if we all pull together! Preach and rant over lol! COYB

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hudbud10 added 22:52 - Jul 31 BID for KANE FERDINAND in the morning please!!!! we need another 2 center backs, release dalaney, never really been up for the championship standard. Still can't beleive we didn't show an interest in Greg halford..
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chepstowblue added 22:53 - Jul 31 Whilst not being overly concerned about friendly defeats they still leave a nasty taste.Im expecting nothing better than last season so they come as no surprise.Ill only start paying attention when we get the inevitable home defeat to Bristol Rvrs out of the way,then the Blackburn game is the acid test.
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BROTHERBLUE1974 added 22:54 - Jul 31 New season, same Old Defending.... When will PJ get some help in coaching?????;
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Garv added 22:56 - Jul 31 Jas0999 what do you mean PJ's return in pre season has been terrible (or whatever word you used to describe it)? It's pre season, you're not meant to get any kind of return from it! The players are there to run around a bit. That is basically it. And you know full well that the person(s) proposing a new contract for Jewell were not doing so because we beat Cambridge as you've suggested. You lose all credibility in your posts when you say stupid things like that. Oh, and Forest didn't release Chambers. Another lie, zzzzzzzzz

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Garv added 23:00 - Jul 31 Cannot wait until Roy gets a new club and you start supporting them instead.
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budgieplucker added 23:01 - Jul 31 I won't attempt to comment on the performance when not having been there, I would though say whilst I agree with comments about the result not being important I would ask those who went just one simple question - was it a hungry performance? It's ok to point out that it was a friendly and the game may have been played at a different tempo but in my opinion we need to be competitive (albeit mindful that we do not want to pick up injuries at this stage) against whatever level team we are playing against. Failing to defend properly especially at set pieces and not troubling the opposition's goal are real issues of concern - I will fully support and encourage the team whoever is in the line up (as always) but "blind optimism" about our ability to challenge for anywhere near a top six place is not something I subscribe to. We are no more than a mid-table side at present which is fine by me if we show desire and commitment to get results, without that and defensive frailities we could yet again be challenging to keep ourselves away from the foot of the table. We should at this stage now be seeing a bit more desire to working at our weak spots. Its a lot different from last pre-season when we had something like 10 new arrivals and gel time was a considerable factor.

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RossHolmes added 23:04 - Jul 31 Oldham beat Man City tonight, its just pre season. It hasnt all gone t*ts up yet, stop moaning!!
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buryblue77 added 23:08 - Jul 31 Lets take this in context without all getting at one another, we've just lost 2 friendlies that we shouldn't have done and looking at that situation it's just not good enough, we should beat lesser sides as we're a better team, that's logic but it doesn't always happen that way. What frustrates me (I was a pro PJer, now my support is dropping and I hope he can get me back again when the business starts) is that we have a manger who hasn't taken us forward in 18 months, a CEO who I still don't think is the right man for the job and an owner who isn't prepared to back us anymore yet he gets Cleggy to tell us that we are pushing for promotion. Well answer me this Mr Evans, with the players we have are we good enough to fight off relegation? What will you do if we do go down and that will ultimately be your fault? I hope that this doesn't happen but you have to admit, pre season is more of the same, more of what we had last season. Some of you thought that by signing two players (both of which weren't PJ's first choice and not that much of an improvement on what we already have) that we would be successful, I hope your optimism is right and I'm wrong, but I doubt it. I will however admit I'm wrong if we have a good season. Evans, back him or sack him, simple!

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Sindre94 added 23:09 - Jul 31 JAS, im positive and optimistic, you dont reach anywhere without that. ITS PRE SEASON, GET BEHIND THE BOYS, PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
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