Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Oldham Athletic, Sunday 1st June, 15:00 ko, National League play-off final @Wembley Stadium

[Holy Joe]

Little bit concerned about Noor. In my eyes he's been playing in Morton's position since he's been injured and overall done a pretty good job. However I thought against FGR he was quite poor and gave the ball away a lot in dangerous areas. I imagine that's why Maher subbed him off for Miley who I thought came in and made a decent impact. Would be a big call, especially considering Miley's not been his usual self for some time.

Thought Noor had a good first half - but did he pick up a knock? and was then subbed abit later. So as long as he's fully fit I don't mind him starting.

 

[dusterman]

I want Leon starting. I think he could be an absolute menace on that big pitch running at defenders.

Similarly I wonder if this is a game for Walker's pace up front

Yeah I think Kendall’s energy is more of a weapon at the end of the match than start but Charley has earned a start. Big decisions for Kev and Co.

Between LCP and Bridgey for the start too. Both are equally as good off bench. I’d say he may start LCP when it’s cagey as he can be the key to opening it up, whereas Bridge will be better with space to operate.

 

[Holy Joe]

Do you select the starting 11 with an eye on the finishing 11 in case of penalties?

 

[RHB]

Do you select the starting 11 with an eye on the finishing 11 in case of penalties?

4 of our penalty takers were second half subs.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Oldham are well drilled and don't mind being physical. I believe they will be wanting to impose themselves on any 50/50 situations.
I don't worry about our back 4 competing in the same manner, and also the front two (if Hopper/CK or Bonne) are selected then they will do likewise.
In the midfield we don't have the recognisable Timlin/Deegan type immovable cruncher AND this could be a weakness; our boys maybe more technically gifted and faster.
The midfield selection will be the headache choices imo.
Noor, KAF and Cav are not shy when the rough stuff is handed out, I don't think the others are shirkers but those small hesitations make a big difference.

 

[Hooly]

Do you select the starting 11 with an eye on the finishing 11 in case of penalties?

Nah. Just let Gubbins take all of them.

 

[leeblue]

Just the extra 545m2

That's some deep math right there

 

[amsemp]

Nah. Just let Gubbins take all of them.

My heart sank when he stepped up. Then I watched as he curled it round the post into the side netting and thought, where the **** did that come from?!

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

Wembley's big pitch is perfect on paper for players like KAF, Bridge, and GUS

 

[leeblue]

This is how I'd like us to line up...possibly Miley for Noor?

 

[Target man]

Have a feeling Cav will start this one. Don't think Coker has been quite right in either the Rochdale oe FGR games.

A disallowed goal and an assist for opening goal at FGR... don't think that's too bad...

 

[Jack_23]

Personally put Kendall and LCP back on the bench for this one . Didn’t have the same impact starting than they did coming off the bench . Back to the starting 11 we had at Rochdale for me. The bench was very strong as well

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

My heart sank when he stepped up. Then I watched as he curled it round the post into the side netting and thought, where the **** did that come from?!

Wasn’t at all surprised by Gubbins’ penalty. The amount of quality measured balls he’s played down the inside left channel shows he’s got a good left foot on him and a lot more composure than people give him credit for.

The one I was concerned about was Bonne - he’s looked like he couldn’t hit a barn door all season in front of goal. Thankfully he just leathered it and it went in off the post. Big sigh of relief on that one.

 

[IloveShrimp]

Kev and Co will do whatever they think right, and they've got it pretty much spot on so far in these play-offs. Because of that it's the FGR starters for me. I'm as excited as the Mayor of Excited town on a very excited day. Will we win? I just don't know, but I do believe that whatever happens our team will leave it all on the pitch at the final whistle. Truthfully, I wouldn't fancy facing us at the moment......we have that siege mentality and don't give up again. Come on you reds.

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I have almost the same, Miley for Husin is my difference.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

This is how I'd like us to line up...possibly Miley for Noor?
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Yes totally this. I'd love to see KAF and Leon play down the middle together, it's time to unleash that. Bridge will do better as well with those two supporting.
The time has come. Maybe the stats say Leon creates more down the left, but it feels wrong. You look at the team and it has to feel right. Small players complimenting tall ones, speed complimenting lack of. Physicality and trickery. Technical and wizardry. That team needs to be balanced.

 

[Laticoafc]

Oldham are well drilled and don't mind being physical. I believe they will be wanting to impose themselves on any 50/50 situations.
I don't worry about our back 4 competing in the same manner, and also the front two (if Hopper/CK or Bonne) are selected then they will do likewise.
In the midfield we don't have the recognisable Timlin/Deegan type immovable cruncher AND this could be a weakness; our boys maybe more technically gifted and faster.
The midfield selection will be the headache choices imo.
Noor, KAF and Cav are not shy when the rough stuff is handed out, I don't think the others are shirkers but those small hesitations make a big difference.

A fair point, but since Yoganathan has come into the midfield, we've not just been a kick & rush team.

York thought that we were just a "beat you up" type of team. Pett, Yoga & Evans were passing it around them.

I do think Southend win this game, but if Maher goes expecting us just to battle, he's in for a shock*

*He wont. Maher in my opinion is the best manager in the division. Other than a 2-0 win at Boundary Park a few years ago, I've always been impressed with how he has you set up.

 

[AlfaShrimper]

I think we'll win in 90 minutes, and McCauley Bonne will score the winner.

What a turn around that would be. Unbelievable

 

[AlfaShrimper]

All I'll say is I feel sick already

 

[Holy Joe]

4 of our penalty takers were second half subs.

Yeah - not sure if that was deliberate though - pens could've been needed v Rochdale and only 3 of the 5 were on the pitch at the end of extra time.

 

[South Bank Hank]

Thought Noor had a good first half - but did he pick up a knock? and was then subbed abit later. So as long as he's fully fit I don't mind him starting.

It was a solid enough knock that’s for sure. He was feeling it for days after the game - from the horse’s mouth so to speak as we bumped into him at Kev’s testimonial.

I wonder if Kev’s starting line-up may actually disappoint as it possibly won’t be what many might see as our 11 “best players”.

Kev’s always been bigger than that and I’m grateful for it. All that matters now is the end game and if that means a turgid, possession based bore-fest for the first 60-70 minutes before we bring on pace to terrorise tiring limbs, I am all for it.