Pre-Match Thread Brentwood Town v Southend United, Saturday 7th December, 13:00 k.o., FAT3

[Shrimpergonzo]

To kick off the month of December we venture into the Isuzu FA Trophy for the first time this season by making the relatively short journey to Brentwood Town.

We have of course played Brentwood before, in the FA Cup 2nd Round at Roots Hall - 56 years ago to the day, when we ran out 10-1 winners (Billy Best scoring the last five goals and Gary Moore netting four) - I am of course too young to remember this game but I'm sure some on here would have been at the game that day and remember it well.

Brentwood Town ply their trade in the Isthmian North Division One which is Step Four of the non-league pyramid (with National League being Step One), so effectively 3 divisions below us. They're currently outside the play-offs and their games tend to be a bit lively with a 4-0 win at Gorleston being followed by a 5-1 home defeat to Grays Athletic - they also had an 8-0 home win in early November. They beat Heybridge Swifts on Tuesday night scoring in the 85th, 88th and 91st minutes to come from behind for a 3-1 win away from home.

Brentwood are managed by Keith Rowland who had a decent professional career - most notably at West Ham and QPR and also got 19 full international caps for Northern Ireland (and one international goal). They have a few of our ex-youth players in their ranks, the most notable of which are their two most recent signings - 24-year old Taylor Curran never made a first team appearance for us but was sold to Swindon Town as an 18-year old when we were in League One. Lyle Della-Verde went from blues to Fulham and saw league action at Bristol Rovers, Fleetwood and Crawley before dropping down to non-league. He's still only 29 and joined Brentwood a couple of weeks ago after being released by Cray Valley Paper Mills so his career didn't exactly fulfil its early promise.

For the Shrimpers, Kev must decide whether to stick with the team that secured the excellent 2-0 away win at FC Halifax Town, or to give some of our fringe players a run out. He has plenty of resources with an almost fully fit squad at his disposal, as far as I am aware, - Joe Gubbins still being a doubt and only just returning to training. The fact that it is being played on a 3G pitch may come into the equation as well.

So who would you choose to start and what do you predict the result will be?

 

[tommy tucker]

If kevin wants to progress in this tiny cup then he should start with a side that will give Brentwood a good game put to many younger players in will only end in tears Maybe take bim out to rest him .Keep Bonne up top along side walker . keep the defence as it is . Bring in KAF for And milley alond side noor and maybe Wood

 

[SUFCGoals]

I would like to see for this:

Collin
Wind Taylor Crowther Ralph Bridge
Moncur Morton coker
Bonne Waldron

 

[shrimperjon]

433

Jeacock
Wind Taylor Crowther Ralph
Husin Miley Keenen
Waldron Bonne Wood

That should be more than good enough to win 3 or 4-0

 

[amsemp]

433

Jeacock
Wind Taylor Crowther Ralph
Husin Miley Keenen
Waldron Bonne Wood

That should be more than good enough to win 3 or 4-0

Exactly what I’d go for. Gubbins in for Crowther if fit.

 

[Ealingshrimp]

Silly question I'm sure but does anyone know if this match will be streamed? Thanks.

 

[Tommy2holes]

Silly question I'm sure but does anyone know if this match will be streamed? Thanks.

It's not being streamed.

I was wondering if there will be segregation or not

 

[Supershrimper]

It's not being streamed.

I was wondering if there will be segregation or not

I think that horse has well and truly bolted

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

A lot of Zoners want to see Wood - and I don't mean that found on dodgy channels!
If this isn't a game for him - I don't know what is!
If he is left on the bench - mind you, this time it might really be that rather than a chair - I would be asking for a loan if I was Jack.

 

[Holy Joe]

A lot of Zoners want to see Wood - and I don't mean that found on dodgy channels!
If this isn't a game for him - I don't know what is!
If he is left on the bench - mind you, this time it might really be that rather than a chair - I would be asking for a loan if I was Jack.

I would play Wood. However I'm not sure it's particularly in doubt that he can perform versus teams at a lower standard than national league - so not sure what fans/mgmt learn from this match should he start.

 

[Tommy2holes]

I think that horse has well and truly bolted

Well that's what I was thinking but had this image in my head lol

 

[Sammy Shrimper]

Hoping for the same score when I last watched Brentwood as a 6 year old. What’s Billy Best up to this coming Saturday?

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

A lot of Zoners want to see Wood - and I don't mean that found on dodgy channels!
If this isn't a game for him - I don't know what is!
If he is left on the bench - mind you, this time it might really be that rather than a chair - I would be asking for a loan if I was Jack.

But why should Wood start ahead of the other players who have equally waited for their opportunity? KAF, Bonne and Waldron would all feel just as aggrieved to not start this match.

We also have to consider Kev wanting to keep the momentum and rhythm in the team. The defense especially. It's taken a long time to get them settled, so there is no reason to disrupt them. It's not like we are playing 2 games a week this month. The Christmas period is kind too. In other seasons, we've played on the 26th then the 28th/29th. We don't have that this year.

I don't think he'll change the team that much. 3 players tops.

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

Jeacock

Wind Taylor Crowther Ralph Bridge

Wood Miley Forson

Bonne Bim

SUBS:

Collin
GUS
Gubbins (If fit)
Noor
Morton
Moncur
Waldron
Walker
Coker

(Presuming the FA Trophy allows 9 subs as does the FA Cup)

Instruct the team to be ruthless get as bigger lead as possible, as soon as possible so minutes can be gained for those that need them off the bench and again taking the 3G surface into account.

 

[RHB]

7th December 1968, the last time we encountered Brentwood, I was 17 and at Roots Hall totally spellbound as we rinsed them 10-1.

I'm hoping for another victory tomorrow, but probably not by so many goals. For this reason I would field as strong a team as possible, and just take them apart 1-0! We actually could do with a decent cup run, even in this tournament, as it breeds confidence in the players, and some dosh if we progress through the rounds.

 

[Billy is the best]

I was also at the 10-1 victory but the following season I went to watch Brentwood Town in the FA cup play Northampton Town. An evening game played in atrocious conditions with the winners drawn against Manchester United. Brentwood lost 0-1 and Northampton progressed into the next round to play in a famous game where George Best rounded the goalkeeper twice before scoring.

 

[lreed567]

Any reason why it was moved to 1pm? Not seen anything about it

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

We need to play our strongest available team.

1. This competition is our best chance of silverware this season.
2. We want to maintain momentum and build confidence.
3. We’ve made changes recently and those players need time to bed into different partnerships, roles, formations etc
4. If we play fringe players we won’t be able to read much into positive performances playing against a part-time team two(?) divisions below
5. If we rest players they’ll go 2 weeks without a game. We don’t have a heavy Christmas schedule or a fixture backlog that we need to save players for.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

But why should Wood start ahead of the other players who have equally waited for their opportunity? KAF, Bonne and Waldron would all feel just as aggrieved to not start this match.

We also have to consider Kev wanting to keep the momentum and rhythm in the team. The defense especially. It's taken a long time to get them settled, so there is no reason to disrupt them. It's not like we are playing 2 games a week this month. The Christmas period is kind too. In other seasons, we've played on the 26th then the 28th/29th. We don't have that this year.

I don't think he'll change the team that much. 3 players tops.

I agree, but am wondering if we were mercifully ahead by a big score, yeah, I know, would he get on then?
Personally, I think the NL is a league too far for JW right now.
Given your reasoned response, why would Kev keep him when he can get him match fit in NLS, for example?

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

I agree, but am wondering if we were mercifully ahead by a big score, yeah, I know, would he get on then?
Personally, I think the NL is a league too far for JW right now.
Given your reasoned response, why would Kev keep him when he can get him match fit in NLS, for example?

That's my point, so why play him? We will learn nothing from his performance against a part-time side as @Yorkshire Blue states, so it serves no purpose.

I think we should keep the rhythm and momentum and not change too much.