It was three. It could have been seven.
There has to be some sort of caveat. Southend are absolutely rancid, and it’d be a huge surprise if they are still an EFL side this time next year. But without really getting into third gear, Bolton made it an unbeaten November in the league, and another win to add to the run. Not only that, we’re into the top half for the first time this season, sit a point off the play-off places, and are three points off the top three. It was a pleasing day at the office, all in all.
As alluded to though, it wasn’t a perfect performance. Maybe that had a lot to do with Andrew Tutte’s early departure, the settled, yet again unchanged side was disrupted when he did his thigh within the first 15 minutes. Tom White would be solid enough a replacement, but we lost our way after a good start, things were slow, everybody took a touch too many, and we could have even gone behind had Matt Gilks not made a fine save to deny Brandon Goodship.
But eventually Alex Baptiste, who seems to be everybody’s pick for Man of the Match, stepped forward and delivered a magnificent cross to set up Nathan Delfouneso for the goal that meant a breakthrough. After that Southend were a bit more ragged, a bit less organised, and we were able to add a second half double from Eoin Doyle, the first of those coming from the penalty spot, after he was fouled by John White, then converting another Baptiste ball to seal all three points.
We also had four occasions where we had the ball in the net, only for the flag to go up. The only worry now is dealing without Tutte, who looks to be out for the next few matches at least. His performances in the last few weeks have been very good, and the midfield today in his absence was okay, but not quite on the same level. Still, we’ve won 3-0, and played to the strengths of our front two. That’ll do.