Survival hopes head South after Zanzala drives Car to victory
Euros squad. “If I needed him in the last 10 minutes for a free-kick and scoring a goal, I’d always take such a player in my squad,” added Hasenhuttl.
“In general it shouldn’t make a difference if somebody is coming from a smaller club, like we are, rather than if he is coming from a bigger club.
“It is different if you also play Champions League every week and compete at the highest level.
“But a player like James, who has showed in the Premier League how strong he is and with his qualities with set-pieces, I’d always take him, if
I’m honest.” worse than it was when I was a player.
“Of course, if they are worrying about that I’ll speak to them, but I don’t need to if they’re not.
“Popey is in great shape after keeping six out of seven clean sheets for England.
“You’re going to get opinions all the time and they won’t always be good – just deal with it.
“Could John Stones’ first touch have been better? Maybe. Could he have laid it off ? Maybe. “Could the pass from Nick been better, maybe – but this is modern football. “If you want to play out from the back there is a risk with that and it does happen now and again.
“But I don’t think Gareth will be overly concerned. Gareth knows he can stop the ball going in the net.
“The package comes in many different forms and personally I think Nick Pope is a top-class keeper.
“He deals with his box no problem at all, shot-stopping, reflexes, reactions. He’s famously kind of unorthodox in the same way back in the day Peter Schmeichel could make unorthodox saves.
“People might want to say well could he have done this or that, but I don’t know any keeper or any player out there who hasn’t got something that could be a question.”
SOUTHEND’S Football League survival hopes were left hanging by a thread after another dismal home defeat.
Mark Molesley’s side now have only seven games left to save their skins, as National League football looms following a 12th home league defeat of the campaign.
By contrast, Carlisle’s win – their second on the bounce – left them only three points outside the play-off places.
Chris Beech’s side certainly deserved the three points after totally dominating at Roots Hall in yesterday’s only League Two fixture.
But it could have been so different for the struggling hosts – who fell behind to Offrande Zanzala’s excellent opener – if Simeon Akinola had not totally fluffed his penalty just before half-time.
Boss Molesley said: “Simeon has a style of taking penalties and it has served him well, but it just didn’t go for us.
“It was a great chance to get back in the game, but we didn’t take it.
“But there are no excuses. We have to show a lot more.
“We let the game drift and we paid for it.”
Southend are second bottom of the table, five points from safety having won only eight games all season.
Worryingly, they have now gone six home games without scoring.
“We cannot feel sorry for ourselves – there are still seven games left and there are points to play for,” said Molesley.
“Every game from now on is vital. There has to be a reaction.”
There were only 17 minutes on the clock when powerful Congolese striker Zanzala picked up the ball and drove through the middle unchallenged to fire low into the Southend net.
It was a ruthless finish and that aside, he gave Southend all sorts of problems with his strength on the ball.
The Shrimpers, in truth, created very little throughout the game.
But when Callum Guy tripped Akinola and referee Alan Young pointed to the spot, they should have capitalised. However, Akinola’s shuffling run-up saw him shoot weakly straight at Paul Farman for one of the easiest saves he will ever make.
It was an obvious turning point and Carlisle never looked back.
And 10 minutes from time, Lewis Alessandra found substitute Gime Toure free in the area with a slick pass.
The French winger took one touch and slotted the ball calmly into the far corner to ensure there would be no way back for the hosts.
Carlisle manager Beech said: “We have got one of the best home records in the division but I challenged the players to improve our away form. I’m really pleased.”