Pre-Match Thread Braintree Town v Southend United, Wednesday 1st January 2025, 17:30 k.o., NL

[Shrimper]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1873671811331682580

 

[Tommy2holes]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1873671811331682580

I can see this being off tbh.

It's very open to the elements and the ground is basic, offering no protection to the elements.

 

[Evening Echo]

ALL the updates from the pre-match press conference ahead of Southend United's trip to Braintree Town.

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[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

I will put it all up when they finish. This stands out so far.

To Kevin Maher.
What stands out for you in 2024?

"There were times it was getting close to the wire and there were so many phone calls I had to deal with.

"Not knowing what was going to happen, you're dealing with phone calls from staff who haven't been paid and players who haven't as well.

"There's stuff I've done you can't believe and I'm sure I'll look back somewhere along the line, take a breather and just realise it wasn't normal!

"There have been highs as well though and sometimes when you have periods like that it makes you grow as a club.

"You get that togetherness and I think it's so important we keep that at our football club because it drives you forward.

"The word pride comes up a lot when you talk about the staff and the players and now it's time to look forward."

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

All the updates from Southend United's pre-match chat​

Today 30th December 2024.
Southend United FC
Football
Sport

Start from the bottom folks.


By Chris Phillips

5:29pm
Any transfer updates?

Maher: "Not right now. I'm sure January will throw up bits and pieces.

"Obviously the league opens up their transfer window which then affects us and I'm sure will keep looking to do things.

"If there are one or two ins and outs we will look at it."

5:22pm
More from Maher: "Maybe in some ways we've been a victim of our own success from last year in terms of getting the number of points we did.

"That's a credit to the players but it's important to have some perspective.

"You see takeovers happen all the time and people expect it take off but there is so much stuff the consortium are doing behind the scenes that won't come to fruition straight away.

"It will come once the building blocks and foundations are in place and when we do I think we will be a force to be reckoned with."

5:19pm
What stands out for you in 2024?

"There were times it was getting close to the wire and there were so many phone calls I had to deal with.

"Not knowing what was going to happen, you're dealing with phone calls from staff who haven't been paid and players who haven't as well.

"There's stuff I've done you can't believe and I'm sure I'll look back somewhere along the line, take a breather and just realise it wasn't normal!

"There have been highs as well though and sometimes when you have periods like that it makes you grow as a club.

"You get that togetherness and I think it's so important we keep that at our football club because it drives you forward.

"The word pride comes up a lot when you talk about the staff and the players and now it's time to look forward."

5:13pm
Hopes for 2025?

Maher: "I haven't thought that far ahead really. Just to win football matches and lets take this football club as far as we can.

"Lets work together on the same page and pull in the same direction.

"We've shown what can happen before at this football club when we do that.

"Things have maybe been a bit slower this season than we would've wanted but if we stay together then we can achieve anything."

4:59pm
On New Year's Eve celebrations, Maher laughs: "Players are a lot different nowadays to what it used to be like.

"They're all strict with what they do in terms of diet and lifestyle so I have no issues with that."

4:57pm
Asked about Oli Coker, Maher replies: "He's an outstanding young player.

"He had his injury and it was important we got him back fully fit.

"We're seeing that now and his numbers are good in terms of goals and assists.

"Of course we always want more but he has more to go and I'm sure he will develop further as well.

"We're really pleased with him."

4:53pm
It's four clean sheets in five league games now. Does the backline feel the most stable it has been all season?

Maher: "I don't know. We've managed clean sheets throughout the season. We've conceded goals in certain moments of games which everyone does.

"We've got principles of play that we like and work towards.

"It should give you good structure when you've got the ball and when you haven't as well.

"I'm pleased with that aspect but we want to score goals, like we did the other day."

4:49pm
Maher: "Are we the finished article yet? No.

"We're getting stronger like we thought we would.

"We've had periods this season where we've put in good performances and not followed it up as well as we should've done.

"We've got to do that and make sure the standards stay high.

"The players have been very good in training and it's important that carries onto the pitch."

4:47pm
How will you look back on 2024?

Maher: "What a year! In terms of the football club and everything that's gone on it's been 100 miles an hour. I think we're in a good place now to really look forward as a football club.

"I've got to give enormous credit to everyone at the football club who work so hard behind the scenes to keep the club going.

"They've put incredible effort in throughout the dark times and that shouldn't be forgotten.

"The fans have travelled all over the country as well and without the fans there's no club.

"They have turned up in their thousands but we have new ownership now and we're looking forward.

"We want to take the club forward and build it from the bottom up to make sure we're really ready to grow as a club."

4:44pm
On Braintree, Maher says: "They've had a recent chance of management and watching their game at Dagenham the other day they played ever so well.

"I'm sure they will have been buoyed by that and taken great confidence from it.

"There has been a bit of change but you can see their threats and they've got some dangerous players in forward areas.

"We've got to be ready for that but we've got to impose our game on them too.

"We have to make sure we're at it."

4:33pm
Next up is Kevin Maher, who is asked about the Ebbsfleet win first up.

He says: "Winning the game is the most important thing. Of course the four goals and the clean sheet were important. We restricted them to virtually nothing and our overall play was good in terms of the tempo and what we looked like.

"It was pleasing to get the goals and the timing of them was important too.

"It was good to get different people on the score-sheet as well but we've put it to bed pretty quickly

"We're pleased but we've got to move on and put another good performance in on New Year's Day."

4:13pm
You're on three assists for the season now. Is that something you look at too?

Coker: "I do look at them and I'm on set pieces so hopefully they can start going in a bit more.

"I've got to get my delivery right."

4:11pm
How will you look back on 2024?

Coker: "It's been up and down really.

"There's been a lot going on off the pitch but for me personally I've really enjoyed it.

"Hopefully it continues."

4:10pm
More from Coker: "I think you saw on Boxing Day that we're getting there.

"I still think they are levels we can get to but it's all about getting the performances right and then hopefully the results will follow."

4:08pm
Asked more about Braintree, Coker says: "It's a tough test and they've recently got a new manager.

"It will be a tough game like they all are in this league so we've got to be up for it.

"We've got to play our game and hopefully we can get going."

4:06pm
Hopes for 2025?

Coker: "Just to keep going really and keep pushing.

"I want to get as many goals as possible and assists as well.

"Hopefully we'll climb up the table too."

4:06pm
On facing Braintree, Coker says: "I've never played them before. We've watched a few videos of them though and we know what they will bring.

"It will be a good atmosphere I'm sure and the fans we bring are class.

"It has the makings of a good game."

4:04pm
On his own goalscoring form, Coker says: "I'm buzzing really but I think I can get more.

"I keep popping up in areas and hopefully they keep going in.

"I've just got to keep getting into those positions and get my shots off."

4:03pm
Coker adds: "Hopefully we can keep this run going and scoring four goals will give us confidence going forward."

4:03pm
Starting with Oli Coker: "Boxing Day was an important win for us. They are where they are but we did our job well and got the four goals.

"We put a shift in and from the start we were on it. Our press was good and we set the tone early days which helped us.

"Getting the four goals was good too."

3:55pm
We're going to be hearing from Oli Coker and Kevin Maher

3:55pm
I'VE been back at Boots & Laces today for the final time in 2024 ahead of Southend United's trip to Braintree Town on New Year's Day.

 

[Fred]

I can see this being off tbh.

It's very open to the elements and the ground is basic, offering no protection to the elements.

Have faith Tommy. Latest forecast is a balmy 5c, lightish breeze and rain diminishing. Will we see you in waders and a poncho or as Fred Astaire with an umbrella?

 

[Evening Echo]

OLI Coker wants to make 2025 a year to remember for Southend United.

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[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

OLI Coker wants to make 2025 a year to remember for Southend United.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

Wanting more - in-form Oli Coker is keen to keep on making chances for the Shrimpers (Image: Lucy Copsey)


By Chris Phillips@cjphillips1982Chief sports reporter.

OLI Coker wants to make 2025 a year to remember for Southend United.

The Shrimpers make the short trip to Braintree Town on New Year’s Day.

And Coker is eager to ensure Blues build on their Boxing Day win against Ebbsfleet United and record back to back league victories for the first time this season.

“Boxing Day was an important win for us,” said Coker.

“They are where they are but we did our job well and got the four goals.

“We put a shift in and from the start we were on it.

“Our press was good and we set the tone early days which helped us but we need to go and get another good result against Braintree now.

“We want to make sure we start the New Year the right way and keep the run we’re on going.”

Coker set the Shrimpers on their way by opening the scoring against Ebbsfleet.

The attacking midfielder now has five goals in 18 appearances this season.

But he still hungry for more.

“I’m buzzing really but I think I can get more,” said Coker.

“I keep popping up in areas and hopefully they keep going in.

“I’ve just got to keep getting into those positions and get my shots off.”

Coker also created two of Blues’ goals in their 4-0 win against Ebbsfleet.

And he is looking to up his number of assists.

“I do look at the numbers and I’m on set pieces so hopefully they can start going in a bit more,” said Coker.

“I’ve got to make sure I get my delivery right.”

Coker will be aiming to do that again against Braintree.

And he cannot wait to line up in front of another large away following.

“It will be a good atmosphere I’m sure and the fans we bring are class,” said Coker.

“I’ve never played Braintree before but I’m looking forward to it.

“We’ve watched a few videos of them and we know what they will bring.

“I think it has the makings of a good game.”

Blues will head to north Essex sitting 14th in the National League standings.

But Coker wants Kevin Maher’s side to push higher up the table.

“I think you saw on Boxing Day that we’re getting there,” said Coker.

“The targets for 2025 are just to keep going really and keep on pushing.

“Personally, I want to get as many goals as possible and assists as well.

“But most of all we want to climb up the table.

“I still think there are levels we can get to but it’s all about getting the performances right and then hopefully the results will follow.”

 

[RHB]

The weather forecast for Braintree tomorrow now shows wind speeds of around 13mph at kick off time, that's a lot less than the 60/70 mph predicted a while ago, although that is still predicted for the morning.. That's potentially the good weather bit, it's still looking like heavy rain for the whole game.

 

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

and I expect the toilet facilities ( especially for the ladies ) won’t be that good so it might be a pee behind the stand just like Oxford City

Got to do what you got to do!

 

[rlb999]

Andeng-Ndi
Taylor, Crowther, Golding, Ralph
Coker, Morton, KAF
Waldron, Pepple, Walker

 

[rigsby]

Andeng-Ndi
Taylor, Crowther, Golding, Ralph
Coker, Morton, KAF
Waldron, Pepple, Walker

4 possible 5 names in that line up that wont be starting. A couple possible not in the squad.

 

[Jack_23]

Andeng-Ndi
Taylor, Crowther, Golding, Ralph
Coker, Morton, KAF
Waldron, Pepple, Walker

Having a bubble right ? 1) he ain’t gonna change formation when we’ve just won 4-0 2) can’t see Crowther coming back in after we’ve kept a clean sheet . 3) I’m not a fan of his but Miley had his best game in a while so don’t deserve to be dropped and 4) We finally looked like a dangerous team with Pepple and Kendall so why on earth won’t we play them both again

 

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Have faith Tommy. Latest forecast is a balmy 5c, lightish breeze and rain diminishing. Will we see you in waders and a poncho or as Fred Astaire with an umbrella?

View attachment 35142

That's looking better but the gusty wind forecast does worry me. Never been to the Rare Meat Co Limited Stadium (Christ almighty...) but it doesn't look, shall we say, robust?

 

[Maldon Blues]

Going back 10 years, if it rained in October Braintree wouldn't play at home again until March. But since then, drainage work has actually turned it in to a ground that rarely sees postponements (probably cursed it now).

Not sure wind will be too much of an issue,

 

[Smiffy]

The strongest winds look to arrive tomorrow morning and reduce massively in the afternoon/evening. So that's the good news.

The bad news is there will be 4-5 hours of fairly heavy and persistent rain from around late morning until mid afternoon (should be relatively dry overhead by KO). Let's hope the new drainage does it's job, as it will be tested massively tomorrow.

 

[lreed567]

Really hope it will go ahead as looking forward to this one, the weather is constantly changing and the winds were meant to be stronger against Brentwood and that still went ahead, plus after Braintrees result last week against Dagenham I'm sure they will be eager to play

 

[RHB]

For those doing Braintree for the first time, this is the Quag End for away fans.

 

[stewart]

For those doing Braintree for the first time, this is the Quag End for away fans.

View attachment 35143

disgusting , sunday league .

 

[C'mon you Shrimpers]

I asked my brother who has lived in Braintree for over 40 years, lives about 100 yards from Cressing Road and amazingly considers himself now a Braintree fan whether the drainage worked. This was his reply.

Absolutely, the pitch is not bad at all. Before the latest drainage was put in it was pretty bad. I played in a cup final on the pitch. The quagmire referred to the grass area behind the goal where a dozen young supporters congregated in the late 60s and 70s. It got very boggy there.

Game on I reckon