as it stands:

[shrimperjon]

:nope:

Not sure where you're getting your info. By far the strongest areas of our team are out wide and at centre back.

With first choice centre mid pairing Lloyd James and Martin Rowlands we're small, lightweight, paceless and incapable of imposing ourselves in the centre of the park - though they are both very neat and tidy on the ball. If Anthony Griffith plays then we have a League Two standard s***kicker in there whose only 'skill' is an exceptional two-footed lunge. If Jimmy Smith plays you'll think we've started the match with 10 men - he's not a bad player, but he doesn't like being anywhere near the ball.

Just out of interest and on a serious note, what are the thoughts of Os fans ahead of this game. From a SUFC perspective we are clearly underdogs based on league status and without a strong centre midfield i think we will do well to get a result. Im hoping that we can stay in the tie and at least have a chance at home. Youve had some decent results at home recently beating Notts County and drawing with Swindon. I think some on here are forgetting that you are in a league above us. Im quite worried about this game from our point of view.

 

[Jonny_Stokes]

Just out of interest and on a serious note, what are the thoughts of Os fans ahead of this game. From a SUFC perspective we are clearly underdogs based on league status and without a strong centre midfield i think we will do well to get a result. Im hoping that we can stay in the tie and at least have a chance at home. Youve had some decent results at home recently beating Notts County and drawing with Swindon. I think some on here are forgetting that you are in a league above us. Im quite worried about this game from our point of view.

Hi Jon,

I'd say 'worried' is probably a bad way to be looking at it. We're a decent League One side, but certainly nothing special, and there's probably only one or two players who are head and shoulders above the current Southend side (Baudry and Odubajo). It's certainly not the case that we'll just have to turn up at 70% and cruise to a win. On the other hand Slade has finally worked out how to get the best of this squad (after yet another horrific start to the season), and the JPT is really all we've got left to play for this season so I'm sure we'll be putting out a strong side.

Considering our overall form since the start of November, and the fact that we have put a couple of League Two sides out of the competition without too much trouble I think most are quietly confident about progressing, but counting no chickens. The absence of Kevin Lisbie - who is utterly integral to the way we play - is a massive loss, and we're basically going to be crossing our fingers that Sean Batt will prove an adequate foil for David Mooney. The other two loanees are unavailable, and the only other senior striker we have is the hopeless Michael Symes. I think the tie will be won and lost by how well Dean Cox, Lee Cook and Moses Odubajo play/are played by your full backs. If Mo is on form, then Barker hasn't got a hope of catching him - but then again he might move to Ipswich or Celtic by the end of the day if reports are to be believed, so it might be a moot point.

Either way, I'm looking forward to it. I've missed our trips to The Hole, as I'm sure you have to Birdbrain.

 

[londonblue]

Hi Jon,

I'd say 'worried' is probably a bad way to be looking at it. We're a decent League One side, but certainly nothing special, and there's probably only one or two players who are head and shoulders above the current Southend side (Baudry and Odubajo). It's certainly not the case that we'll just have to turn up at 70% and cruise to a win. On the other hand Slade has finally worked out how to get the best of this squad (after yet another horrific start to the season), and the JPT is really all we've got left to play for this season so I'm sure we'll be putting out a strong side.

Considering our overall form since the start of November, and the fact that we have put a couple of League Two sides out of the competition without too much trouble I think most are quietly confident about progressing, but counting no chickens. The absence of Kevin Lisbie - who is utterly integral to the way we play - is a massive loss, and we're basically going to be crossing our fingers that Sean Batt will prove an adequate foil for David Mooney. The other two loanees are unavailable, and the only other senior striker we have is the hopeless Michael Symes. I think the tie will be won and lost by how well Dean Cox, Lee Cook and Moses Odubajo play/are played by your full backs. If Mo is on form, then Barker hasn't got a hope of catching him - but then again he might move to Ipswich or Celtic by the end of the day if reports are to be believed, so it might be a moot point.

Either way, I'm looking forward to it. I've missed our trips to The Hole, as I'm sure you have to Birdbrain.

If we were to re-sign Mkandawire, what kind of reception would he get from your lot?

 

[shrimperjon]

Hi Jon,

I'd say 'worried' is probably a bad way to be looking at it. We're a decent League One side, but certainly nothing special, and there's probably only one or two players who are head and shoulders above the current Southend side (Baudry and Odubajo). It's certainly not the case that we'll just have to turn up at 70% and cruise to a win. On the other hand Slade has finally worked out how to get the best of this squad (after yet another horrific start to the season), and the JPT is really all we've got left to play for this season so I'm sure we'll be putting out a strong side.

Considering our overall form since the start of November, and the fact that we have put a couple of League Two sides out of the competition without too much trouble I think most are quietly confident about progressing, but counting no chickens. The absence of Kevin Lisbie - who is utterly integral to the way we play - is a massive loss, and we're basically going to be crossing our fingers that Sean Batt will prove an adequate foil for David Mooney. The other two loanees are unavailable, and the only other senior striker we have is the hopeless Michael Symes. I think the tie will be won and lost by how well Dean Cox, Lee Cook and Moses Odubajo play/are played by your full backs. If Mo is on form, then Barker hasn't got a hope of catching him - but then again he might move to Ipswich or Celtic by the end of the day if reports are to be believed, so it might be a moot point.

Either way, I'm looking forward to it. I've missed our trips to The Hole, as I'm sure you have to Birdbrain.

Cheers mate, sounds like we are both nervous, yet hopeful on both sides.

 

[Jonny_Stokes]

If we were to re-sign Mkandawire, what kind of reception would he get from your lot?

It'd be excellent. Along with Stephen Dawson - who's beginning to pull up some trees in the Championship - he's is one of the very best players we've had since we returned to League One. He's still well loved at Orient, and there'd probably be riots if we didn't at least try to re-sign him if he became available for transfer.

 

[Jonny_Stokes]

Cheers mate, sounds like we are both nervous, yet hopeful on both sides.

Yeah, there's nothing clear cut about it. I make Orient favourites over the two legs, but not by too much.

 

[Jonny_Stokes]

The other two loanees are unavailable, and the only other senior striker we have is the hopeless Michael Symes.

Hurrah! We've just loaned Symes to Burton. Will be Affy Obafemi on the bench, then - always better to have a headless chicken with fearsome pace than a broken down carthorse who needs to be taken behind the barn and shot.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

The O's have the best team for a very long time - over two legs it will be very difficult but anything can happen.

 

[Angell Delight]

Make no mistake when we were able to play Tam and Laird in CM we were a very, very good side for this level and I'd have seen this tie as absolutely anyone's over two legs. The defence was strong with Tam sitting in front of it and we were scoring sackloads of goals for fun. Given that Mkandawire has returned to Millwall and Laird/Spillane can't play I fear for us I really do, the heart of the side has been ripped out for this competition. We live in hope.....

 

[BrettieAngell]

If we can get them back to The Hall with at worst a 1 goal deficit I think we can do them in the second leg.

 

[shrimperjon]

If we can get them back to The Hall with at worst a 1 goal deficit I think we can do them in the second leg.

Didnt we think that about Crewe last season??!

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I'd have Leonard playing centrally in that midfield. It's only one change instead of two (Hurst would have to change flank and it would disrupt the Clohessy-Hurst-Tomlin link up).

Also Timlin can't play in a central midfield two and is way more effective out on the left.

Am pretty sure from what Jonny Stokes said though that Sturrock will move Timlin inside as he'll want better defensive cover if their strength is out wide.

ps Jonny - any chance of returning the Spread after you took it last time.

 

[Norwichshrimper]

Hurrah! We've just loaned Symes to Burton. Will be Affy Obafemi on the bench, then - always better to have a headless chicken with fearsome pace than a broken down carthorse who needs to be taken behind the barn and shot.

If he needs replacing we have one or 3 you can choose from - we'll even pay the taxi fare

 

[Jonny_Stokes]

ps Jonny - any chance of returning the Spread after you took it last time.

Unlikely. Last time I was there True Blue gave me a cuddle, and there's no way I'm risking that happening again.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Didnt we think that about Crewe last season??!

Erm yeah, maybe. :unsure:

 

[shrimperjon]

With today's news I would go:

smith
sean, Phillips, Cressys, barks
hurst, Leonard, timo, reeves
britt and tomlin

all of a sudden that looks more balanced and with good width, pace upfront.

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

Reeve is an central midfielder and also can play in defence.

 

[undercovershrimper]

With today's news I would go:

smith
sean, Phillips, Cressys, barks
hurst, Woody, tims, reeves
britt and tomlin

all of a sudden that looks more balanced and with good width, pace upfront.

Thats what i would go with. Woodyard over Leonard for me but we will see what PS comes up with on tuesday

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Unlikely. Last time I was there True Blue gave me a cuddle, and there's no way I'm risking that happening again.

He's lost about 10 stone since then, so you've got no worries.

 

[danburyshrimper]

........................smith..........................
.....phillips........cresswell...........barker....
clohessey................................reeves...
.......leonard.....timlin.....hurst................
............corr...........tomlin....................