Gary Waddock kick started his reign as caretaker manager with an excellent point for the shrimpers in an eye-catching six goal thriller.

After parting company with Kevin Bond eight days prior, Waddock was given ample time, due to the international break, to stamp his authority on his squad.

As a failing manager usually does, Bond had lost the respect of the dressing room. When this happens to a manager there is no real way back, and it was evident very early on in Southend’s clash with Fleetwood Town that the fired up shrimpers were eager to please the experienced temporary manager.

It becomes tedious to continually bemoan the blues defence, but it is consistently the thorn in their side. Frailties within the back line were once again evident as Fleetwood found themselves hitting the back of the net 3 times at Roots Hall. The defensive woes will not shift with ease, so the important thing is to counteract the amount of goals that are conceded with a healthy amount going in at the other end.

Here, is where Waddock’s side excelled against Joey Barton’s cod army.

Prior to kick off, a Southend player was yet to register on the scoresheet in a league game at Roots Hall this season. But the Seasiders’ fortunes changed just 17 minutes into the game as Stephen Mclaughlin curled a delectable free kick into the far bottom corner from 20 yards out to give the home side the advantage. Elation filled the stands as this was the first time the blues had been leading on home soil all season.

Consequently, a new challenge faced the leading side and the home fans could finally see how their side will approach the remainder of the game in an attempt to hold onto the lead they had earned themselves.

Similarly to Southend, the Cod’s also took just 17 minutes from the following restart to level up the game. The dreaming shrimpers fans were brought crashing back down to earth with the same reoccurring issues of substandard defending.

The game seemed set to go into the interval with a goal apiece which, in truth, would’ve been a fair scoreline in the balance of the half. However, clumsy goalkeeping from Mark Oxley allowed winger Josh Morris to blast home from close range to send the in-form away side into half-time with the lead.

Words were to be had in the home dressing room. Signs were shown that Southend could more than match the high flying Cod’s. Waddock had to drill some hope and belief into the players as, really, it was anyone’s game for the taking.

This was to be a huge half for the shrimpers. Falling to another defeat would result in Southend United losing their first 7 games of the campaign, a record that hasn’t been achieved by a third tier side in over 20 years.

The blues were quick out of the blocks in the second half and once again earned a free kick in a dangerous area. Stephen Humphrys stepped up this time and dispatched an awkward strike into Matt Gilks’ far corner to once again bring the game to an even scoreline. The keeper will perhaps feel disappointed by his efforts for this goal, but in truth the hefty-sized wall would’ve restricted his vision on the strike.

We know already this season that the struggling Seasiders do not make life easy for themselves, and in their true style they conceded their 20th goal of the season, just 4 minutes after levelling the game back up. In fairness to Fleetwood, a well worked move deserved it’s outcome when Kyle Dempsey, who was heavily praised at the conclusion of the game by boss Joey Barton, got his head on a lovely cross which was sailed into the box by Lewis Coyle.

A familiar glum feeling resounded Roots Hall in the following exchanges. Fleetwood saw their opportunity and exploited the home side’s weaknesses to carve out a number of chances to extend their lead. However, a combination of misfortune and mostly poor finishing meant they could not do so.

The 87th minute holds a lot of fond memories for Southend, their league one status was secured last season through a heroic 87th minute strike by Stephen Humphrys in the final game of the last campaign.

Coincidentally, it was that combination that saved the battling home team once again, this time against Fleetwood.

Humphrys collected the ball from 30 yards out and charged at the tiring defence, forcing home a late equaliser to confirm Southend’s first point of the 19/20 season. Not only that, but to prematurely celebrate his 22nd birthday, falling a day after his impressive brace.

Looking at the game neutrally, the balance of the game was definitely tipped in favour of the away side. But as is often stated, statistics are almost meaningless and the result is the telling tale of the game, and today Southend worked very hard to record their first point.

It is without a doubt that the shrimpers must improve on aspects of their play, in particular, defensively. But the attacking play displayed against this flying Fleetwood side was really encouraging for all involved.

As top scorer in pre season, there was much hope that star man Humphrys would excel in his first full season in a blue shirt, and so far he has given much encouragement to Southend fans that he can do just that. The striker shows multiple desirable qualities in his play, hard work, confidence, pace and physicality just to name a few, and this combination makes him to be an excellent asset to the squad, and a player which many opposing defenders will dread to play against.

Shrimpers fans can have their heads held high this weekend. After the departure of Kevin Bond, it is imperative that there is a positive feel surrounding the club and that the fans are in full support of the players and management team. The performances will not be perfect, and there will be tough and frustrating times to come, but such is the nature of lower league football, the difficult times only make the sweet times feel sweeter, and to take a point against a side as good as Joey Barton’s, the Shrimpers can hold a lot of pride.

words Leon Imber, Southend United fan & writer