A downbeat Gregg Davies recalls an eventful weekend watching his beloved Bulls...
Saturday meant Southend and a trip to report on Hereford as the quest continued for a first point on their League 1 travels.
It was my first visit to the snug surroundings of Roots Hall, and a welcome change to a similar trip little more than two years ago to watch the Bulls play, not the Shrimpers, but Conference outfit Canvey Island. Compared to that, third-tier status is veritable nosebleed territory.
Roots Hall: One of a dying breed of 'proper' grounds
All appeared fine and dandy en route to the seaside, with the added bonus of an entertaining taxi ride from train station to ground, as the Spurs-supporting cabbie mixed radio commentary on Liverpool-Man United with a verbal tongue-lashing on the transfers of Robbie Keane and, in particular, Dimitar Berbatov.
And, of course, how he would have conducted himself had he found himself in similar shoes considering that once upon a time he had been a âÂÂpretty decent footballer, IaâÂÂll have you know.âÂÂ
But that chat was as enjoyable as my afternoon was going to get, as I soon discovered. Queuing for tickets to the press area, I was met with a peremptory âÂÂDavies? Never heard of you.â Ah.
Several phone calls and the flashing of an out-of-date press card later, I appeared to have convinced the Southend hierarchy that I wasnâÂÂt some chancer hoping to catch a League 1 basement encounter on a freebie. But having cleared the first hurdle, I went crashing into the second.
âÂÂTrouble is mate, youâÂÂre not allowed to wear jeans in the press box, itâÂÂs strictly trousers and shoes only.â Oh.
A faux pas on my part, admittedly, although I felt a little hard done by that my black-as-the-night jeans had failed to pass muster. ThatâÂÂll learn me.
"You ain't coming in here wearing those..."
I wasnâÂÂt expecting what followed, though. âÂÂWe can lend you some black trousers, if youâÂÂd like,â came the generous offer from the man IâÂÂd just met.
And in no time at all I found myself being led into a small, unoccupied room being asked to remove my trousers, whilst wondering just how often journalists turn up at Roots Hall donning the wrong type of leg-wear, and whether the Shrimpers have a cupboard specifically reserved for such occurrences, possibly named âÂÂHacksâ SlacksâÂÂ.
Still, IâÂÂm anything but ungrateful for SouthendâÂÂs handling of the affair. Another club may well have just turned round and said: âÂÂYou ainâÂÂt on the list, pal, so hop it.âÂÂ
As for the game itself, following the difficulties I encountered just getting into the ground, defeat for the visitors seemed merely a foregone conclusion. And so it proved, Lee BarnardâÂÂs strike on the half-hour proving the difference between two unspectacular sides.
Barnard: On target
SouthendâÂÂs struggles wonâÂÂt last too long, with newly-acquired âÂÂexperienced veteranâ Dougie Freedman likely to prove a handful for any League 1 defence, as high-flying Carlisle recently found out. In contrast, HerefordâÂÂs pleasing passing between the areas failed to work the goalkeeper enough â a recurring theme so far this season.
So, thatâÂÂs four defeats out of four for the Bulls in front of your intrepid trouser-free reporter. And itâÂÂs a trip to Elland Road next. Should I have taken the hint yet?
