Pre-Match Thread Rochdale v Southend United, Thursday 15th May, 19:45 ko, NL Play Off Eliminator

[hlane17]

Going to attempt to distract myself with work on the way up, but doubt it'll work.

Arguably our biggest game since Sunderland at home in 2019. UTFB

 

[SOUTHENDMAD1]

I would just like to wish every Southend fan a safe trip up im grateful for the warm welcome on here, your sales have been brillaint. Heres to a great game football and a good day had by all (hopefully a Rochdale win !). I hope your all feeling better than me , feel as sick as a parrot.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

For those that believe in omens teams that have played in red have got the necessary result this week namely Sunderland Orientand Sheffield utd

 

[HertfordshireBlue]

It’s gonna be some atmosphere tonight

 

[Southminster Shrimper]

Good luck those who are travelling. I would be there had my wife not been selfish and give birth two years ago today :D

Watched the Wycombe playoff final highlights today, still gives me chills. "Last minute, last minute"

 

[E for B and Billy Best]

This is awful. I'm veering from, 'I didn't expect to get this far so, what will be, will be' to 'jeez, we are 3 games away from getting back in the EFL'. Playing on Thursday has completely cocked the week up, I've been either one day in front or one behind. Now as the minutes jerk to kick-off, I'm getting really tense, so much so that if I had a dog I would kick it up the arse.

 

[RHB]

I would just like to wish every Southend fan a safe trip up im grateful for the warm welcome on here, your sales have been brillaint. Heres to a great game football and a good day had by all (hopefully a Rochdale win !). I hope your all feeling better than me , feel as sick as a parrot.

Thanks for the kind words buddy. We always welcome away supporters as long as they don't try to stick it to us (very unwise). You won't be surprised to learn that I don't share your result wish. Apart from that we're enjoyed your company, and if you win you will be dead to us from then on.

 

[Barling Magna]

So...... what's going to happen? How will we feel late tonight...? Will we be on a high like Oldham fans? Or will we be slinking away like FC Halifax fans...?

In their recent home games Rochdale smashed Hartlepool 5-1 and thrashed Eastleigh 4-0 - both are fairly good NL teams. But Rochdale were also held to a goalless draw by AFC Fylde - not a good NL team.

Eeek....... which Rochdale will turn out tonight...? And which Shrimpers...?

I've already bitten my fingernails down to the quick so will be wearing gloves as I watch the live stream tonight.....

Double eeek!!

 

[leeblue]

The more I think about it starting Leon makes more sense than ever.
Hes our best attacking midfielder IMO...not even close. Drop him in there tonight in front of Noor and KAF.....let him cook.
I know kev won't change the 11 tonight but we need goals and Leon makes so much happen in that regard. Beats players, plays killer passes.

 

[Jack_23]

The more I think about it starting Leon makes more sense than ever.
Hes our best attacking midfielder IMO...not even close. Drop him in there tonight in front of Noor and KAF.....let him cook.
I know kev won't change the 11 tonight but we need goals and Leon makes so much happen in that regard. Beats players, plays killer passes.

See I’m different. Think Leon off the bench could be a real game changer tonight

 

[RHB]

The more I think about it starting Leon makes more sense than ever.
Hes our best attacking midfielder IMO...not even close. Drop him in there tonight in front of Noor and KAF.....let him cook.
I know kev won't change the 11 tonight but we need goals and Leon makes so much happen in that regard. Beats players, plays killer passes.

I think you've got that right. However, he will get a chance second half, when depends on how we are doing,. If we are in front then it will be late in the game, if we are chasing it, then it will be earlier. One way or another, I've learnt to Trust Kev's judgement over my own.

 

[southendkid]

The more I think about it starting Leon makes more sense than ever.
Hes our best attacking midfielder IMO...not even close. Drop him in there tonight in front of Noor and KAF.....let him cook.
I know kev won't change the 11 tonight but we need goals and Leon makes so much happen in that regard. Beats players, plays killer passes.

Do we need goals? Our previous meetings with Rochdale this season was a 1-0 win for us at theirs and a 1-1 draw at ours. On paper this shouldn't be a high scoring match.

 

[BlueBore]

8hrs 34mins left, and I'm absolutely bricking it. At my age that could be dangerous, but this game is so important after all of the bollocks that came our way, but still we are in the play-offs. If we win this one, then no one will fancy facing us as we will start to look a bit Grimsbyish.

First time ever that looking like Grimsby has been used as a positive...

 

[damien]

Come on you blues

 

[RHB]

First time ever that looking like Grimsby has been used as a positive...

I'm not proud mate, I'll use what's there this time round

 

[leeblue]

See I’m different. Think Leon off the bench could be a real game changer tonight

Good shout too

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

I'm not proud mate, I'll use what's there this time round

Don't worry, if we do win it tonight we won't be Grimsbyish, we'll be Southend, The Shrimpers! and we plough our own furrow. (Hopefully ripping Rochdale up tonight )

 

[leeblue]

Do we need goals? Our previous meetings with Rochdale this season was a 1-0 win for us at theirs and a 1-1 draw at ours. On paper this shouldn't be a high scoring match.

Indeed, one off cup tie though tonight...by goals I mean a goal

 

[Lancashire shrimper]

Nice and sunny in Rochdale.

We're in Wetherspoons - Regal Moon.

A few Rochdale fans already, and a couple of us.

UP THE BLUES

 

[Target man]

See I’m different. Think Leon off the bench could be a real game changer tonight

So true. Games aren't just won by selection but also from the bench. IMO we don't have too many game changers like Leon who can come on and mix things up.