Pre-Match Thread Southend United v FC Halifax Town, Tuesday 11th February, 19:45k.o., NL

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Be good to get a 6,500 gate for a midweek night game with only a few travelling away fans

I'd be surprised if we get 6,000. But remember to take 1400 or so off what is announced, as supposedly that's the amount of STH ( 30% ) that have stopped attending recently?.

 

[Pak Power]

on 3;50 we need to take an extra pass in the final third.............really

 

[Flinty]

We need to see 3 up front tomorrow, and not a pretend Maher 3 up front where one of the strikers is a midfielder in disguise!

i would like to see us play with and extra defender and no goalkeeper, yes he may be behind the defence and wearing gloves, but he isn't identified as a goalkeeper but extra defender !

 

[Sufc.2008]

on 3;50 we need to take an extra pass in the final third.............really

Please tell me he didn’t say this! Practically every time we got into the box on Saturday our strikers (or striker-identifying midfielders) attempted a pass instead of a shot and lost the ball every single time.

 

[annie1954]

I'd be surprised if we get 6,000. But remember to take 1400 or so off what is announced, as supposedly that's the amount of STH ( 30% ) that have stopped attending recently?.

How do you know 30% of season tickets holders have stopped attending ? That does seem a very large amount

 

[Leeboy]

Bonne Walker Kendall worked against Daggers and Flyde, I get he made changes vs Sittingbourne but no reason to change it v Maidenhead, so please back to that front 3 please Kev

 

[Shrimperjohn]

‘We have a philosophy and a way of playing and it isn’t going to change’ Shades of Ange at Spurs …

 

[FarmdogSUFC]

I would drop Ralph, he can’t play as a wing back, doesn’t have the skill or pace to take anyone on, if bridge is fit then have him in if not then try George wind on the left.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

How do you know 30% of season tickets holders have stopped attending ? That does seem a very large amount

That's what i was told from a good contract, who was told that from a steward.

 

[annie1954]

That's what i was told from a good contract, who was told that from a steward.

If that’s correct that will be a big loss of income next season if they don’t renew

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

If that’s correct that will be a big loss of income next season if they don’t renew

TBH if this season doesn't end with a surge and high expectations for the next one, then season ticket demand will slump?.

 

[Kris]

I guess it depends on whether KM gets a decent enough budget to sign the sort of players he’s been unable to previously due to Ratgate.

If I was on the fence regarding season ticket renewal that would probably swing it for me and quite a few others too.

 

[KiwiRob]

I guess it depends on whether KM gets a decent enough budget to sign the sort of players he’s been unable to previously due to Ratgate.

If I was on the fence regarding season ticket renewal that would probably swing it for me and quite a few others too.

If KM is not seen to get the best of the talent he already has at his disposal, Justin and COSU unlikely to believe that this is all going to change when he can sign more players during the summer break. After all, we are told the players the management team have signed under COSU all underwent a rigorous recruitment process.

 

[Hawkwell Blue]

That's what i was told from a good contract, who was told that from a steward.

Who told the steward though? Can’t believe that close to a third don’t attend anymore. I know it’s a small sample size but of all the season ticket holders I know, probably a couple of dozen, they all still go.

 

[telmernatorx]

Why does kev think Miley is so important? Morton offers so much more than backward and sideways, two footed unnecessary tackle Miley? Same as husin, they offer very little but for some reason he sees different players. Maybe in training they do look good? But in matches I don't see anything positive they bring. Miley doesn't do CDM anywhere near as well a morton

 

[shrimperjon]

Why does kev think Miley is so important? Morton offers so much more than backward and sideways, two footed unnecessary tackle Miley? Same as husin, they offer very little but for some reason he sees different players. Maybe in training they do look good? But in matches I don't see anything positive they bring. Miley doesn't do CDM anywhere near as well a morton

Yes that concerned me slightly when Kev was talking about Miley. I’ve loved Miley this past few years but Morton offers so much more. Does make you wonder what Kev sees as again it was Morton taken off before Coker and Husin if I’m right on Saturday. Morton is technically the best midfielder we have and has a great passing range. He should be first on the sheet and then build around him

 

[FarmdogSUFC]

Why does kev think Miley is so important? Morton offers so much more than backward and sideways, two footed unnecessary tackle Miley? Same as husin, they offer very little but for some reason he sees different players. Maybe in training they do look good? But in matches I don't see anything positive they bring. Miley doesn't do CDM anywhere near as well a morton

On form, Miley is (probably more was now) one of the best 6s in the league. Breaks up numerous counter attacks and is excellent in a defensive transition. Superb at winning first contact and his recovery rate I'm pretty sure was the highest in the league one season. The players love having him in the side as they feel they can rely on him defensively. As I mentioned, unfortunately it may be a case of "was" rather than "is" at the moment.

I'm not gonna bother going into Husin. Think he offers a lot off the ball but has been pretty awful for the majority of the season. Not sure what's gone on there to be honest.

Morton offers more on the ball as you say. He tries to do all the right things and at the right pace as well. I personally feel he's sometimes guilty of taking too many touches and losing it at key moments though. He also uncharacteristically for someone of his profile is sometimes guilty of panicking and just launching it first time when there's players around him. Think he'd benefit from having an enforcer with him but I've never been convinced we've looked balanced with both him and Miley in the same setup. Ironically I thought the balance looked alright at Woking away with Morton in the 6 and Miley to the left of him before he decided to dive in whilst on a yellow. Clever.

Morton has certainly grown as the season has advanced and is rightly probably first pick in the midfield at the moment. His corner delivery has improved in recent weeks as well, just a shame no one has any desire to get on the end of one. I think him and this new guy will link up well together based on the few clips I've seen. Morton will really benefit from having someone like that next to him in my opinion

 

[Evening Echo]

KEVIN Maher insists he is no stranger to coming through tough times at Southend United.

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[Evening Echo]

NICK Hayes cannot stop smiling over his return to Southend United.

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[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Fighting hard - Southend United boss Kevin Maher (Image: Matt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd)


By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.

KEVIN Maher insists he is no stranger to coming through tough times at Southend United.

Maher was subjected to abuse from the club’s supporters shortly after signing as a player back in 1998.

However, the former midfielder went on to skipper the Shrimpers to back to back promotions.

And he is now looking to overcome adversity as the club’s head coach.

“When I first came in as a player people were on my back and I would tell my parents not to come to games,” said Maher.

“It’s part and parcel of football but I keep believing in what we’re doing and I know we’re good at our jobs.

“We keep believing it but if people want to question it, no problem.

“We know what we’re doing, the players are committed to the cause and we will keep on getting better.”

Blues slipped to 12th in the National League standings after Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 defeat at Maidenhead United.

And Maher can appreciate why fans are feeling frustrated.

“I understand the frustration when we don’t win,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“Last week against Sittingbourne was a chance to get closer to Wembley which we all would’ve loved.

“But it’s gone you have to park it and move on.

“It’s similar to Saturday and I think we would’ve gone up to ninth if we had won.”

However, Maher is now looking to bounce back.

“Things have been OK without being brilliant but what you can’t do is dwell on it and let it fester into the next game,” said Maher.

“We’ll keep working hard and keep being positive.

“Sometimes it’s easier to drag down than to drag up.

“It’s society in general really and I bet when we lose you get more views and clicks than when we win.

“That tells a story doesn’t it but what you’ve got is people who are giving their all for this club.

“It’s not a bad starting point. We’re working hard and we’re getting better.

“The squad is getting stronger but it doesn’t mean it will happen overnight.

“There will be ups and down along the way but we’re all pulling in the right direction.”

And Maher also stressed it was still a united approach from the squad.

“Despite what people might think, the players love coming to work and I love coming to work with the players,” he said.

“We’re in it together.”