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

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher must choose between Zach Jeacock and Collin Andeng Ndi in goal again this weekend.

Jeacock got the nod for Saturday's clash with Yeovil Town but was red carded after just 27 minutes for handling the ball outside his penalty area.

That led to Andeng Ndi coming off the bench for the remainder of the match.

But Jeacock's red card has now been rescinded on appeal.

And that means Maher must select between the shot-stoppers for Saturday's match at Altrincham.

"There's competition for that position," said Maher when asked about the selection headache between the sticks.

"We think we've got two good keepers there now.

"We'll watch training and see who is ready to play."

Maher will do the same further forward and has striker Danny Waldron pushing for a place in the squad after recovering from a knee problem.

"Danny's good and he trained this week," said Maher.

"Everyone is nearly available and the competition for places is good.

"Everyone will be needed too."

However, centre-back Joe Gubbins remains doubtful with an Achilles issue.

"Joe hasn't trained anywhere near full levels yet and we'll keep an eye on him," added Maher.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

I believe so.

Who Knows? Maybe JB will score a rare NL (ie non-FACup) goal on Sat.

 

[IloveShrimp]

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.

This is my lineup too.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher expects another stern test at Altrincham this weekend.

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[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher expects another stern test at Altrincham this weekend.

The Shrimpers head into the clash unbeaten in their last five away games.

But Maher knows Phil Parkinson's side will be difficult to beat.

"We've got a bit of form away from home but we're coming up against another tough team we've always had very tough and very close games with," said Maher.

"They're very well coached and were a play-off team last year.

"They're getting going this year now too."

Altrincham sit 10th in the table and head into tomorrow's contest having scored eight goals in their last two games.

"It's a really tough game and they've scored a lot of goals recently," said Maher.

"They were similar to us at the start of the season.

"When you lose players, there's a lot of change and injuries it takes time to get back to what they were but it looks like they're doing that now.

"They're always well coached and well managed and you can see that coming back.

"They always have exciting players on the pitch so we always know this is a tough game."

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

This is my lineup too.

Gubbins isn't fit.

If we want to score goals, JB has to play in any case. He was brilliant against Charlton and he can't be judged when we had ten men against Yeovil.

Walker has been involved in goals/goal contributions, so he will probably play alongside Bim. I think we need to see that partnership play some games together. Bonne and Waldron to replace them in the second half.

It will be another close game I think and I really think we need an early goal to take the three points.

 

[Evening Echo]

ECHOSPORT talks to Altrincham fan Erin-Beau Carroll ahead of this weekend's game.

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[Chris Powell's mate]

If memory serves, an international break meant being able to watch live in the UK when on NLTV.
Anyone know if that's true for DAZN? Thanks.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

If memory serves, an international break meant being able to watch live in the UK when on NLTV.
Anyone know if that's true for DAZN? Thanks.

I think may have answered my own question....https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/welcome/nltv

 

[Blue Yonder]

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

Probably.

We have scored just 10 away goals in 10 games. 4 of those were in the game against Solihull, so you could say 6 in 9

The fact is we don't create enough, have any real pace to get behind teams, we play a negative system that's designed to retain the ball and keep things tight.

We look like we are playing for 0-0 or a 1-0 win.

Unless we make 3 or 4 really good signings ie a top 3 side would make then this season will just trundle along at a slow pace.

The football this season has been the least enjoyable since we joined the national league.

I think we are unbeaten in 5 away games but have lost 5 out of the last 6 at home so recently going away has been more rewarding than a trip to Roots Hall. Maybe there is a pattern emerging and the negative vibes from the stands is having an effect at home.

 

[Cricko]

I think we are unbeaten in 5 away games but have lost 5 out of the last 6 at home so recently going away has been more rewarding than a trip to Roots Hall. Maybe there is a pattern emerging and the negative vibes from the stands is having an effect at home.

I don't think 6500 to 7000k fans regularly at home is negative , if the team do not play to their capabilities of course there are moans, it's football it has always been the same. You can hardy expect home fans to be happy all game if we are getting tonked at home on a regular basis, but they still turn up in numbers each week.

 

[WestyReturns]

I think we are unbeaten in 5 away games but have lost 5 out of the last 6 at home so recently going away has been more rewarding than a trip to Roots Hall. Maybe there is a pattern emerging and the negative vibes from the stands is having an effect at home.

Honestly considering the level of quality on show at home this season there's been so so little negativity generated from the stands.

Just a thought but maybe the tactics and style we play are better suited for playing away when teams are going to come at us more.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

With Gubbins still injured, could Miley get into back 3 to allow Ralph at LWB?
Would it give us more positive play from the backs?

 

[AlfaShrimper]

not really sure about must win, lose so be it, win were still mid table. Zero impact on the season overall.

And 3 points further away from play offs?

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

ECHOSPORT talks to Altrincham fan Erin-Beau Carroll ahead of this weekend's game.

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ECHOSPORT talks to Altrincham fan Erin-Beau Carroll ahead of this weekend's game.

Altrincham are currently 10th in the table. What you made of the season so far?

"So far this season, we have had a mixed start.

"We began well, winning our opening game at home 1-0 against Woking which was our first opening day win at home since 2006!

"However, since then it has been a mixed bag of results with some surprising results and some unfortunate losses."

What do you feel Altrincham can achieve this season?

I feel Altrincham can achieve the play-offs again this season.

"We may have lost our star man Chris Conn-Clarke in the summer but the reinforcements we bought in have made a significant impact.

"As well as this we have started to pick up a little bit of good form.

"In our last two games against AFC Fylde and Solihull Moors away from home we have scored eight goals and conceded three.

"However, I would like us to achieve a run in the FA Trophy too.

"We last had one in 22/23 season and it was amazing before being knocked out in the semi-finals.

"However, with a good run of form between now and the end of the season the play-offs for a second season is achievable."

You seem to have a lot of draws. Is that a concern or do you see it as being hard to beat?

"For me, I see it as we are a hard to beat side.

"We showed that last week in which we came back from 3-1 down against Solihull Moors to draw the game 3-3.

"That shows that we are a team that cannot be written off in any circumstances.

"I do think some of the draws have been frustrating most notably Boston United in which we were 2-0 up and the game finished 2-2.

"At this stage I do not think it is concerning, and I see the draws as showing we are a team who are underestimated and hard to beat.

Who is your dangerman?

"This season the danger man is none other than striker Regan Linney.

"This season Regan has scored 10 goals and has two assists.

"In our last two games he has scored five goals, he scored a first half hattrick against AFC Fylde before then scoring two incredibly taken finished against Solihull Moors last week.

"So, he is the one to be aware of in this fixture."

What's the team news?

" As far as team news goes, I do not think we will make many changes, unless there are any injuries, so most likely it will be a similar line up to both the AFC Fylde and Solihull Moors games.

"If there are any changes it may be due to rest or squad rotation, but I cannot see it being any different from the last couple of weeks!

"However, it will not surprise me if we see Isaac Marriott make his awaited return from injury as he made the squad last week, he may get a couple of minutes to ease back to full fitness again."

 

[Barling Magna]

From the Altrincham fans forum, sadly I think this chap has nailed it:

First home game for nearly a month, attractive opposition & no City/United, so hope for 2,500 or so in attendance. I think in line with all our home games against Southend it will be tight but I think we will edge it 2-1 in front of 2,463 with ooh 326 away fans.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

Good luck to all the Shrimpers travelling up tomorrow.Hopefully you get to see a decent performance but more importantly we come back with some points to get back on track.

 

[shrimperjon]

Never seen us score here let alone draw or win so I’d take a draw but a tight win would be a great return. Going 1-0 us

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Tradition (now) early doors,

Come on you Shrimpers

 

[Tommy2holes]

Never seen us score here let alone draw or win so I’d take a draw but a tight win would be a great return. Going 1-0 us

This is my problem.

We have become so used to poor results and lack of goals that a 0-0 away at altrincham is considered a result.

Remember when we were looking to beat Sheffield United Away and Portsmouth etc at home.

We have such low expectations now, which worries me.