Pre-Match Thread Altrincham v Southend United, Saturday 16th November, 15:00 k.o., NL

[Shrimpergonzo]

After the disappointing 1-0 defeat against Yeovil in the third of three consecutive Saturday home games, this weekend we head up north again to Greater Manchester and a game against Altrincham.

Phil Parkinson (no, not that one!) was appointed as manager of The Robins on the eve of the last game of the 2016-17 season, the season in which they were relegated to the Northern Premier League. He led them straight back up to the National League North the following season and then eventually (via the play-offs) back to the National League in 2020. This season they currently find themselves in 10th place, three points ahead of us with a superior goal difference of +3, which means a win by two of more goals would take us above them. It’s not going to be easy though as they’re on a decent run of form, with only one defeat in their last 6 games - scoring 9 more goals than us during this period:


Now Dan Mooney has moved on, I can’t discern any links between any of their current squad or management team and The Shrimpers, but if I’m wrong then one of you will I’m sure not be slow to point it out below! Striker Regan Linney will certainly need watching having recently scored two goals at Solihull last Saturday and a hat-trick in a thumping 5-0 win against AFC Fylde in their previous league game.

Kev has almost a fully fit squad now and needs to find a way to get it performing at its best every week, not just sporadically. Last weekend was not helped by having to play nearly three-quarters of the game a man down, but the lack of decent chances created cannot solely be down to that - the goals for column in the form table above, compared to teams with far more meagre resources than us, is indicative of a deeper problem and one that needs to be rectified quickly if we’re to have a decent go of making the play-offs this season.

If you’re travelling to the North-West to cheer on The Shrimpers then can I direct you to the excellent thread by @DoDTS which should give you all the logistical information that you could possibly want to know: https://www.shrimperzone.com/forums...ay-16th-november-2024-kick-off-3-00pm.120003/

So who would you choose to start at the J.Davidson stadium and what do you predict the result will be?

 

[AlfaShrimper]

Absolutely must win this. Otherwise we really face an up hill battle.

 

[Smiffy]

As I posted in another thread, unfortunately, we are now edging very close to actually being in a better place (in the league) this time last season, even with the 10 point deduction. This depressing fact will be confirmed if we fail to pick up at least 1 point at Altrincham this weekend.

Let's have some of that Charlton spirit back.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

As I posted in another thread, unfortunately, we are now edging very close to actually being in a better place (in the league) this time last season, even with the 10 point deduction. This depressing fact will be confirmed if we fail to pick up at least 1 point at Altrincham this weekend.

Let's have some of that Charlton spirit back.

I don't think a lack of fight was the issue against Yeovil. I thought we battled well and were very solid and compact, playing so long with 10 men. They were in the playoff positions and we limited them to scoring a fortuitous goal, but they did little else.

Our problem was a lack of quality breaking down a team that sits in. Charlton didn't sit in, nor do any of the top teams in our league, which is why we play better against them. We have found it difficult to break teams down that sit in for a while now. I thought that was what Moncur was for, to provide that killer pass in those situations. However, you still need the quality runs and finishing from your strikers for that to work. We simply don't have that.

I don't know what he'll do up top this weekend. I can see why Walker started as he's actually contributed to goals being scored. Bonne not scoring is a huge issue and it's all well and good linking up play, but linking up play for what? Who is going to get into the box and score the goals? We desperately need a forward and picking a front line until we can acquire one is going to be Kev's hardest job.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

I don't think a lack of fight was the issue against Yeovil. I thought we battled well and were very solid and compact, playing so long with 10 men. They were in the playoff positions and we limited them to scoring a fortuitous goal, but they did little else.

Our problem was a lack of quality breaking down a team that sits in. Charlton didn't sit in, nor do any of the top teams in our league, which is why we play better against them. We have found it difficult to break teams down that sit in for a while now. I thought that was what Moncur was for, to provide that killer pass in those situations. However, you still need the quality runs and finishing from your strikers for that to work. We simply don't have that.

I don't know what he'll do up top this weekend. I can see why Walker started as he's actually contributed to goals being scored. Bonne not scoring is a huge issue and it's all well and good linking up play, but linking up play for what? Who is going to get into the box and score the goals? We desperately need a forward and picking a front line until we can acquire one is going to be Kev's hardest job.

Not sure I necessarily agree. Walker, Pepple, Waldron are the type of players who’d thrive on an early ball to chase through the middle or over the top but way too often, we slow down our approach play and delay getting up the pitch. The space isn’t there to make runs, the opposition is able to get 2/3 men on our strikers and crowd us out. When we finally get the ball in the box 80% of the time the CB’s are perfectly positioned to head out. That’s the way I see it anyway. We make it easy for those teams that “sit in” as you say. We thrive when we’re given space to play our passing football.

A lot of teams are happy for us to play that passing football in our own half, even in and around the box and move it quickly forward when they win it back.

Hopefully we see lots of the ball against Altrincham and some space opens up. When we do get chances we need to be clinical.

 

[Tommy2holes]

Fair play to anyone who is going on long away trips at the moment.

It's a painful watch but hopefully 3 points come home

 

[dusterman]

Fair play to anyone who is going on long away trips at the moment.

It's a painful watch but hopefully 3 points come home

I’m in Manc visiting a mate playing darts Saturday and want to go along but will have to leave a warm pub and mates. So might be tricky…

 

[Thundersley Blue]

Not sure I necessarily agree. Walker, Pepple, Waldron are the type of players who’d thrive on an early ball to chase through the middle or over the top but way too often, we slow down our approach play and delay getting up the pitch. The space isn’t there to make runs, the opposition is able to get 2/3 men on our strikers and crowd us out. When we finally get the ball in the box 80% of the time the CB’s are perfectly positioned to head out. That’s the way I see it anyway. We make it easy for those teams that “sit in” as you say. We thrive when we’re given space to play our passing football.

A lot of teams are happy for us to play that passing football in our own half, even in and around the box and move it quickly forward when they win it back.

Hopefully we see lots of the ball against Altrincham and some space opens up. When we do get chances we need to be clinical.

When we play well, players make runs in front of the ball giving the player in possession more options. When we are not quite on it, those runs don't happen as often and consequently the ball is passed sideways or backwards. There is nothing wrong with the way Kevin wants the team to play, at times the players just need to be better at it.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

When we play well, players make runs in front of the ball giving the player in possession more options. When we are not quite on it, those runs don't happen as often and consequently the ball is passed sideways or backwards. There is nothing wrong with the way Kevin wants the team to play, at times the players just need to be better at it.

I don't disagree, but how many NL teams give us time and space on the ball. Very few. Too often we take the safe option almost like we're afraid to lose it or that trying something braver might not come off, that's a confidence thing maybe. If we are 'not quite on it' we need to find a way to scrap for the points regardless. That's what we're lacking .. we often seem to persevere with the same tactic regardless of opposition or how the game is panning out. When it works, it works .. we know that.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

I don't disagree, but how many NL teams give us time and space on the ball. Very few. Too often we take the safe option almost like we're afraid to lose it or that trying something braver might not come off, that's a confidence thing maybe. If we are 'not quite on it' we need to find a way to scrap for the points regardless. That's what we're lacking .. we often seem to persevere with the same tactic regardless of opposition or how the game is panning out. When it works, it works .. we know that.

I don't think it's ang coincidence that the players that play risky passes (Moncur and Appiah) or not playing right now. Maher wanted to tighten the ship. That unfortunately means we have reduced the amount of times the ball is played progressively forward. This is my biggest issue with playing Miley in the 6 and then moving Morton to the 8. Morts will revert back to playing sideways like he used to. I think once Miley is fully fit, we can afford to play Coker and another attack-minded CM like the two in brackets.

Again, the strikers still worry me. There isn't a natural finisher in there.

 

[Leeboy]

I don't think it's ang coincidence that the players that play risky passes (Moncur and Appiah) or not playing right now. Maher wanted to tighten the ship. That unfortunately means we have reduced the amount of times the ball is played progressively forward. This is my biggest issue with playing Miley in the 6 and then moving Morton to the 8. Morts will revert back to playing sideways like he used to. I think once Miley is fully fit, we can afford to play Coker and another attack-minded CM like the two in brackets.

Again, the strikers still worry me. There isn't a natural finisher in there.

bit harsh on Pepple?

 

[Grayson]

bit harsh on Pepple?

I don't think so. If he was a 'natural finisher', with his physical attributes, I doubt he would be in the 5th tier.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

bit harsh on Pepple?

I don't think it's harsh, just a reality at this stage. He's been fantastic so far in what he does. That doesn't mean he is a natural finisher that will get us the required 20+ goals. Nor should he expected to be either. He's come in on loan in hope rather than expectation and has payed more games than probably expected. That is not being harsh or taking anything away from what he has done.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Fair play to anyone who is going on long away trips at the moment.

It's a painful watch but hopefully 3 points come home

Didn’t you say the same before Rochdale and Eastleigh?

I don't think it's ang coincidence that the players that play risky passes (Moncur and Appiah) or not playing right now. Maher wanted to tighten the ship. That unfortunately means we have reduced the amount of times the ball is played progressively forward. This is my biggest issue with playing Miley in the 6 and then moving Morton to the 8. Morts will revert back to playing sideways like he used to. I think once Miley is fully fit, we can afford to play Coker and another attack-minded CM like the two in brackets.

Again, the strikers still worry me. There isn't a natural finisher in there.

I’m probably in a minority but I haven’t really seen anything from Moncur that makes me think he’d actually improve our attacking output.

Fantastic close control but he can’t shoot, doesn’t seem to be able to pick a pass. He’s got, what, one assist in 11 appearances? He might be a name but he seems to be all style and no substance.

I keep forgetting he’s here, certainly since results picked up on him being benched, but also in games where he has a habit of disappearing. Would people notice if he was quietly sent back to Orient?

 

[RHB]

They do say that if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.

Now, I've always been a supporter of the team and Kev and co, and I've trusted they know best as they watch players in training, but it may be time to swop things around just a bit. So I would bench Jack Bridge again and move Nathan Ralph to LWB. If Mr Gubbins is ready then he starts at LCB. Noor also has a trip to the bench and I'd start Cave Miley and James Morton, moving Morton further forward and Cav playing the holding role in front of the defence.

Up front it will be Bim and Josh Walker leading the way with Ollie Coker playing behind them. See? this management lark is easy peasy lemon squeezy. By the way, the most common definition of Gubbins is 'bits and pieces', and if my Gubbins is still in bits and pieces then it's back to you Kev, mate (and no wild arm waving this week, ok?).

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Can't see us getting anything at A.-Hope I'm wrong though!

 

[rlb999]

This will curve-ball you. The problem, as ever, is that we don't have a left-footed attacker. So you have to square-peg Bridge or KAF into a position that doesn't suit them.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

I believe Kev will play Jeacock as GK.
Back 3 of Gubbins, Taylor, Crowther.
WBs of Ralph and Gus
Coker, Morts, Noor in centre.
Up top Bim and Bonne.

But I would like Bim and Waldron to start. DW closes down and works hard, he has pace, defends set pieces, and knows that it is a big chance to give 100%; with a defensive side we must have front men working and working the line; especially when we now have potentially strong subs.

 

[shrimperjon]

3rd season on the trot for us. been Twice both 1-0 defeats. hoping for third time lucky
Same starting 11 as Saturday and a win 1-0 win this time