Pre-Match Thread Gateshead v Southend United, Monday 5th May, 15:00 k.o., NL

[* ORM *]

Brilliant support, but does it matter how many York took?

No and did it was a play offf match York will sell the away tickets and more

 

[Southminster Shrimper]

What a fanbase we have. Lets smash these *****.

 

[Paddypel]

Unchanged I imagine.
I'd be tempted to pick bonne over hopper

Agreed, I’d even give Walker a start over Hopper. Don’t see what Hopper offers us currently and Gateshead don’t deal well with a press.

 

[SUFCGoals]

Agreed, I’d even give Walker a start over Hopper. Don’t see what Hopper offers us currently and Gateshead don’t deal well with a press.

if Gateshead don’t deal well with a press why would you want Walker over Hopper

 

[RHB]

if Gateshead don’t deal well with a press why would you want Walker over Hopper

Absolutely this. Hopper does the stuff lots don't see, including the press.

 

[Paddypel]

if Gateshead don’t deal well with a press why would you want Walker over Hopper

Personally think Walker is a better presser than Hopper

 

[Strykr]

Great stuff, unfortunate first name tho...

 

[RHB]

1606, obviously a good omen, as, in 1606, William Shakespeare was 42, and we all know that 42 was the answer to the meaning of life, the universe, and everything according to Douglas Adams. See, this is what happens when I'm made to wait for so long without a game of football, I have a total bollocks attack!

 

[Zeuss]

Unchanged I imagine.
I'd be tempted to pick bonne over hopper

More than tempted ! It makes no sense to not field your strongest team—so start Parillon too.

 

[DCC]

This is what it’s all about, a proper high stakes game. At the end of the match, one set of players will be flat on their backs on the turf, the other will be raucously celebrating with their fans. One side of that ground will be a sea of noise, the other will be flat as a pancake. Who’s it gonna be…

 

[Blues ‘n’ twos]

This is what it’s all about, a proper high stakes game. At the end of the match, one set of players will be flat on their backs on the turf, the other will be raucously celebrating with their fans. One side of that ground will be a sea of noise, the other will be flat as a pancake. Who’s it gonna be…

Just stop it…. I’m more nervous than a sister at a Col u party!

 

[kurila's gorilla]

I'm currently in Madeira and am trying to buy a DAZN weekly pass to watch the Gateshead game on Monday. When I hit the button to buy it's saying that the content isn't available in the current location. As Madeira is part of Portugal, I would have thought it would be available. Anyone any ideas please?

 

[Holy Joe]

I'm currently in Madeira and am trying to buy a DAZN weekly pass to watch the Gateshead game on Monday. When I hit the button to buy it's saying that the content isn't available in the current location. As Madeira is part of Portugal, I would have thought it would be available. Anyone any ideas please?

Use a VPN to be in the UK?

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

All the updates from Southend United's pre-match chat​

By Chris Phillips.

As usual, start from the bottom guys n gals.

5:21pm
Maher adds: "We're going the right way and that's the most important thing now.

"Anything can happen on Monday but I don't think it changes what we look at and how we're trying to improve.

"Of course we want to win the game but growing the football club and what that looks like will always take time.

"If we can do that quicker because of results then brilliant but nothing changes in terms of what we know and what we see."

5:18pm
On James Golding's injury, Maher says: "He's still back at Oxford and there's no time frame in terms of getting him back if we need him.

"He probably wouldn't make it anyway because he's still going through protocols with regards to looking at the groin and seeing what the injury is.

"We saw him at the awards the other night which was good but he's Oxford player and they're looking after him."

5:17pm
Maher: "We've got to go and perform.

"There can be so much talk and so much noise but the match is my only concern.

"We know what we've got to do and it's pretty rare you have two teams playing like this not waiting on other results.

"My full focus is on the game and what we've got to do."

5:05pm
On James Morton's injury, Maher says: "James has been with the medical team today.

"He's done a bit of kicking so we'll see how he reacts after that.

"We'll know more tomorrow where he is in terms of being ready for the game."

5:02pm
Maher: "Getting to this stage of the season there would be nothing worse then a dead rubber with nothing to play for.

"This is what you play for and from our point of view it didn't look like it would happen, even a couple of weeks ago.

"To have this opportunity is brilliant."

5:00pm
Maher: "We've had to work incredibly hard as staff and as a team to get to where we need to be.

"The most important thing is the fans get to see the outcome of that hard work.

"For them to have moments like Saturday, that's what it's all about.

"The numbers we take everywhere and the numbers we had at home against Wealdstone are just brilliant.

"I've experienced it as a player and I know what can happen.

"I just want everyone to enjoy this moment and they should because there have been enough down times at this football club recently.

"We just want to keep on giving them more to cheer."

4:56pm
Maher: "I've never written anything off.

"Last summer we had the embargo going into pre-season which does affect a lot of your work which goes on.

"We didn't think we needed to do loads but you lose a few players and it changes.

"We had a week where we lost six players so that has an affect and it has a knock on.

"I said in pre-season we were behind so we knew that and there have been times this season where we have been frustrated and disappointed with performances but I felt like we would get stronger as the season went on.

"To give ourselves the opportunity is the most important thing."

4:40pm
On Gateshead, Maher says: "They're a very good football team.

"Credit goes to them and everyone involved at Gateshead because they've had quite a few changes of managers but they have a style of play they stick by.

"It's really good football to watch so I have to give them credit. They've had a lot of chances and they're still up towards the top of the table competing.

"We're under no illusions how tough this game will be."

4:38pm
Maher: "Nothing is done. All we've done is give ourselves an opportunity that a few weeks ago didn't look likely.

"Nothing is achieved yet and we've got to go and play a very good team on their own patch.

"They'll be looking for the win and we know we've got to perform."

4:37pm
Maher: "It's been a good week and we've managed it slightly differently.

"Our lead in to games is always the same and we've had a couple of really hot days so it was important to get training right.

"There's been the right mix of intensity and detail and we've got to manage getting the travel up right too.

"But it's just another normal week as much as it can be."

4:25pm
Up next is Kevin Maher.

4:18pm
I'm carrying out another crazy fundraiser for mental health awareness and care in Southend.

Please sponsor me here if you can

4:11pm
On previous play-off success, Bridge recalls: "I went to the Cardiff one as a fan.

"The Wembley one from League Two to League One I was there so hopefully we can have another day like that because they were great."

4:10pm
On being out of the side until the last two games, Bridge says: "It's a little bit different.

"You try and affect the game however you can just to help the boys.

"It's tough and every player will tell you they want to play every second of every game but you've got to stick by it and do what you can when called upon.

"The boys have been doing so well so credit to them."

4:09pm
Bridge: "We've never gone into any game thinking about drawing and this won't be anything different.

"You play all season to put yourself in this kind of position."

4:08pm
On the support coming Blues' way: "I'm sure we will definitely hear them.

"They make themselves heard wherever we go.

"Gateshead is a strange stadium but I'm sure we will hear them."

4:07pm
On Gateshead, Bridge says: "They're a good team. We all know they've struggled a bit in the last couple of months but for them to still be up there shows how well they started the season.

"They're a good team and we know that.

"They've been up there the last few years but we've got to go there and play our game.

"We can't get carried away by the occasion.

"We need to enjoy it and play our football."

4:06pm
On becoming a father for the first time, Bridge says: "It's all good and I'm enjoying it.

"It was lovely to have him on the pitch with me after the game on Saturday.

"I don't know how much he knew about it because he was fast asleep the whole game and afterwards as well but it was nice."

3:57pm
Bridge: "You can tell there's a lot of excitement from the fans' point of view for this game.

"It's nice to be able to give them that because they travel up and down the country with us.

"It's nice to be able to give them this and hopefully we can go there and get the result we know we can get."

3:49pm
Bridge: "We've got ourselves in this position and we've got to go and enjoy it."

3:34pm
Bridge: "The last couple of games have been a bit strange with it being Easter bank holidays and the days of the game have been a bit all over the place.

"We've got a bit longer to prepare for this one which changes the way we prepare slightly with days off and stuff but nothing really changes with regards to the work we do on and off the pitch."

3:32pm
Asked about the mood in the camp, Bridge says: "It's excitement and there's confidence too because.

"I know we didn't get the results we wanted a couple of times before winning the last two but we still felt we were playing well.

"There's a lot of confidence at the moment but we're all really looking forward to it.

"We've been getting results and I think it's only four league defeats in 2025 which is really good.

"That's why we're in the position we are and why there's confidence too.

"It's why we're going into this game excited more than anything else."

3:24pm
On Monday's game, Bridge says: "We have to take it the same way as any other game.

"We can't look to change anything and we have to do what we do.

"If we do that I'll think we'll be fine.

"For it to be in our hands going into the last game is exciting and we're all looking forward to it."

3:23pm
Bridge: "We put a bit of a marker down about Wealdstone and we've got ourselves into a position that we've got to take advantage of.

"As a player you want to help the team however you can.

"I've been back in the team the last couple of games and been trying to make an impact however I can."

3:19pm
Right, up first is Jack Bridge.


3:18pm
Don't forget I'm still trying to give TikTok a go! My profile on there is @cjphillips1982

3:17pm
Hello! I've been back at the new training ground this afternoon (still need to think of a better name for it)

It's a huge, huge game for Blues at Gateshead on Monday and a point will see Kevin Maher's side make the play-offs.

We're going to be talking to Jack Bridge and Kevin Maher this afternoon.

 

[leeblue]

More than tempted ! It makes no sense to not field your strongest team—so start Parillon too.

The thing is with Leon physically he looks like going full time has caught up with him a bit. Looked knackered 20 minutes in during his last start. He's going to be pivotal for us in the future.

 

[shrimperjon]

Personally think Walker is a better presser than Hopper

Can’t agree with this. Walker is so lazy, Hopper gives a lot more than Walker has done all season

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

The thing is with Leon physically he looks like going full time has caught up with him a bit. Looked knackered 20 minutes in during his last start. He's going to be pivotal for us in the future.

I agree. I've been singing his praises ever since we've signed him, but I'm also realistic regarding where he is at and what he has to work on. This will all improve over the summer with some hard graft. He can be a special player.

However, right now, the KAF, Husin and Coker trio is giving us the energy, spark and quality we need at the moment. It's just amazing that we actually have the likes of Parillon and Cav to bring off of the bench.

 

[Barling Magna]

1,606 making the trip

https://twitter.com/x/status/1918334676965679450

1607 because I'll be incognito in the home fans stand, and I doubt that I'll be the only one - the home stand has a roof, comfortable seats and good catering and toilet facilities ( unlike the away stand). And you don't have to walk all the way around the stadium either.

 

[Strykr]

Interesting to see hopper get more votes then bonne, and not many for parillon

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

More than tempted ! It makes no sense to not field your strongest team—so start Parillon too.

I would guess having won the last two games 4-0 and 3-0, Kev would go for an unchanged line up. Bonne has scored twice coming on as sub and if we’re up against it, a fresh pair of legs in Leon could cause them problems.
I think we’ll see Hopper start and to be honest why not, he worked hard last weekend. Yes he’s not the Hopper of old but still effective in his own way.