Southend United went top of the National League with a 3-1 away win at Solihull Moors on Saturday. The victory, secured with three goals, marks the club's best start to a campaign since 2013.
Fans acknowledged the three points were vital but identified clear areas for improvement. Supporters noted the team looked uneasy defensively at times and made sloppy mistakes in possession, inviting pressure from the hosts. A penalty save from goalkeeper Duncan was highlighted as a key moment, while the character shown to come from behind was praised.
"We got away with that one," was a common sentiment among the fanbase. Many felt the performance fell below recent high standards, describing it as patchy and lacking fluency. However, the ability to win despite not playing at their best was seen as a positive sign of progress under manager Kieron Dyer.
Dyer had warned against overconfidence in his pre-match press conference, a trap some fans felt the team fell into during the match. The win nonetheless extends a strong early-season run. Supporters pointed to the contributions of players like VDC, Hartigan and Leon as particularly excellent on the day.
The result leaves Southend looking down on the rest from the summit of the standings. While fans believe the team has a solid chance of winning the league, they also recognise that consistency will be key to maintaining their position. The squad is still relatively new and learning to play together, which may explain some of the erratic moments.
With three wins from their opening fixtures, the focus now shifts to maintaining momentum. Securing another positive result there would further cement this promising start. The match saw Southend take an early lead through a well-worked team move, but Solihull equalised before halftime from a set-piece. The second half saw a more determined Southend performance, with two quick goals turning the game. Manager Dyer praised the team's resilience in his post-match comments, stating the players showed great belief. He also acknowledged the defensive lapses that need tightening up. The travelling supporters, who filled the away section, created a strong atmosphere throughout. The club's director was also in attendance, watching the team go top for the first time in several seasons. Analysis of the match statistics showed Southend had less possession but were more clinical in front of goal. The penalty save in the first half, when the score was 1-0, was widely agreed to be the game's turning point. The team now prepares for its next fixture at home, where they will aim to build on this early table-topping position.
