Echo News Blues boss Maher provides fitness update on trio of defenders

[Evening Echo]

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Injury update - (left to right) James Golding, Adam Crowther and Nathan Ralph (Image: FOCUS IMAGES)

By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.

ON LOAN Southend United defender James Golding has yet to return to training.

Golding missed Tuesday night's 3-0 defeat at Boston United with a groin problem.

And Shrimpers boss Kevin Maher is unsure if the centre-back will be fit enough to face Oldham Athletic this weekend.

"He hasn't trained today," said Maher.

"It's one we'll keep an eye on and there's something going on there.

"We'll leave that as long as possible."

Blues skipper Nathan Ralph was an unused substitute against Boston having missed the Eastleigh match with a back problem.

And Maher must decide if Ralph can return to the starting line-up on Saturday.

"He's good," said Maher.

"He was involved on Tuesday night but I was reluctant to use him really because of the travel and his back.

"We needed him to make up the bench.

"He's done a bit of training today and we'll see how he settles down after that."

But defender Adam Crowther will again miss out.

The centre-back has not played since December due to a knee problem but is edging closer to a return.

"He joined a little bit of training with the team today," said Maher.

"That's important because he's been out a while.

"With not loads of games left this season we need to start pushing him.

"It was good to him in and around the team today."

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

I hope at least one of Ralph and Golding are back. Gubbins and Goodliffe feel me with dread against Oldham.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Golding is literally a huge miss. If he's not fit, then we need Ralphy back.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

Reading into Kev, it suggests Ralph is a 'yes' - Golding a 'no'.
So, who in the centre? Goodliffe or Gubbins? Given a choice I'd prefer Gilbert and George: a bit of artistic flair if nothing else.
Mr Slow or Mr Hoof? It's not promising, is it?

 

[in the know]

Hearing golding may be a 'no' for a fair bit longer than thought due to the groin injury, but on the flip side Ralph is fit to play which is a big boost. can leave him 1 on1 and trust him in those situations down that flank.

 

[Strykr]

Bummer about golding.

 

[in the know]

It is, but apparently we're doing all we can to secure him for next season regardless of the injury. Which I think is good news -Would be a massive boost.

 

[Thundersley Blue]

Reading into Kev, it suggests Ralph is a 'yes' - Golding a 'no'.
So, who in the centre? Goodliffe or Gubbins? Given a choice I'd prefer Gilbert and George: a bit of artistic flair if nothing else.
Mr Slow or Mr Hoof? It's not promising, is it?

I would be inclined to leave Goodlife out and play Ralph centrally. He is good enough to cover Gubbins defensively as he does when Jack plays there.

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

Im pretty sure Kev will play Goodliffe to cope with the physical threat of Mike Fondop. Will be good to have Ralph and Taylor alongside him to steady the ship.

 

[Shrimper]

Why did we not get someone in on loan for the rest of the season if we have injury issues?

 

[Chrisb]

It is, but apparently we're doing all we can to secure him for next season regardless of the injury. Which I think is good news -Would be a massive boost.

Really good news, hope we can sign him.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

It is, but apparently we're doing all we can to secure him for next season regardless of the injury. Which I think is good news -Would be a massive boost.

I thought you said that the new financial issue may impact summer recruitment?

 

[WestyReturns]

Im pretty sure Kev will play Goodliffe to cope with the physical threat of Mike Fondop. Will be good to have Ralph and Taylor alongside him to steady the ship.

That would seem the most sensible option to me. Need someone who is strong in the air up against him or we will be in trouble.

 

[in the know]

I thought you said that the new financial issue may impact summer recruitment?

it still could. Sounds like kev managed to pursuade cosu how important it is. Warren doesn't want to come and it sounds like the money may still be used for another player.

 

[Dave Smiths Love Child]

Saw Crowther at CK gym yday, didn’t look like he was putting in too much effort on the machines

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

If we play 4, Ralph at lb great. Taylor and.... Gubbins with a natural left foot ? Better in the middle. Might surprise being a 2 rather than a 3.. or am I being hopeful

 

[overseas shrimper]

I hope at least one of Ralph and Golding are back. Gubbins and Goodliffe feel me with dread against Oldham.

If I had to feel you, it would be with dread as well.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

I hope Ralph is back. I think he's very underrated by a few on here. Goodliffe is like Crowther. Fine when it's an aerial battle, but not so good when fast, and tricky players are running at them. That's what makes Golding so good. For the most part, he can defend against all types, in the air, or on the ground, let alone the coming out of defence with the ball, and the extra goal threat. Let's hope the medical staff can do their magic, and get him back soon.

 

[dusterman]

I hope Ralph is back. I think he's very underrated by a few on here. Goodliffe is like Crowther. Fine when it's an aerial battle, but not so good when fast, and tricky players are running at them. That's what makes Golding so good. For the most part, he can defend against all types, in the air, or on the ground, let alone the coming out of defence with the ball, and the extra goal threat. Let's hope the medical staff can do their magic, and get him back soon.

Has our medical department improved. A few have been quite scathing about it in recent times?