Dilemma for Shrewsbury

[fbm]

After our best away win since 1989, for me one of the biggest positives is that it was achieved without three of our key players.

I think if any Southend fan was asked which players in the squad could be sold for money, I think the first 3 names most people would give would be Grant, Hall and Mohsni, none of whom played against the Millers.

This means that if we did sell, then we can certainly cope without them. It also shows them that they can't just expect to play because they are the perceived "stars" of the side and this in turn will enhance their performances.

If I were Sturrock, I'd keep all 3 on the bench on Friday. What a tremendous bench to have... Bentley, Mohnsni, Grant, Hall and 1 other... Prosser, Sturrock or Johnson I'd guess.

I'd certainly keep Timlin and Kalala in the middle. Maybe he'll bring Hall in for Leonard. But personally, I'd keep an unchanged team.

Thoughts?

 

[MK Shrimper]

Don't change a winning team.

 

[fredheim_holm]

Well I'd be disappointed if Leonard is dropped, by all accounts played very well. The only change that I think Sturrock will be pondering is whether to drop Kane for Hall.

 

[Southend Neil]

Personally I think it would be utter madness if we go into a home game without Hall. Yesterday was glorious, magnificent, but lets be honest it was still a bit of a freak result. The overwhelming theme of the season so far has been that we lack creativity without Hall, that doesnt go away because of yesterday. Playing at home is different, even more emphasis to create and we have no one similar to Hall. The issue is whether to drop Kane or Kalala, personally I would stick with Kane as more ability but thats a judgement call. Grant can wait, certainly wouldnt put him in my top 3 players. Passing poor and has he ever created a goal? Never seen what the hype is about. Also the 'dont change a winning team' formula is just ludicrous, as if Messi misses a barca victory and then cant get his place back.

 

[Blue_Shrimper1959]

Personally I think it would be utter madness if we go into a home game without Hall. Yesterday was glorious, magnificent, but lets be honest it was still a bit of a freak result. The overwhelming theme of the season so far has been that we lack creativity without Hall, that doesnt go away because of yesterday. Playing at home is different, even more emphasis to create and we have no one similar to Hall. The issue is whether to drop Kane or Kalala, personally I would stick with Kane as more ability but thats a judgement call. Grant can wait, certainly wouldnt put him in my top 3 players. Passing poor and has he ever created a goal? Never seen what the hype is about. Also the 'dont change a winning team' formula is just ludicrous, as if Messi misses a barca victory and then cant get his place back.

It's a great dilemma to have, but those boys yesterday achieved one of our best away results in recent years. It would be incredibly harsh to drop any of them, if they can perform to the level they did yesterday then what a fantastic bench we'll have if thing's aren't going rosey against the Shrews.

 

[Medway Blue]

Difficult. I'd say never change a winning team, and certainly don't take out the man who played a direct role in 3 of the goals (Leonard). But we still lacked a little width yesterday and we could do with Hall's creativity at home. However, what sort of message does it send out to the 11 men who got Southend's biggest away victory in 22 years? I'd be inclined to start with the same team really but if we're not winning at half time, change it. If he really does want to tinker with the starting 11, bring Hall in for Ferdinand, play Hall on the left and bring Timlin into the middle with Kalala.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I understand the calls not to change a winning side, but Shrewsbury are one of the better teams in this God awful league, and being at home the onus will be on Blues to take the game to them. Therefore I'd pick Hall in the starting XI. That could be at the expense of Leonard who IMO Sturrock wants in his side for away matches. He played at Accrington & Rotherham, I can't remember if he played at Port Vale, but that's two really hard games we've won away where nobody gave us an earthly.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Don't change a winning team.

One of football's greatest fallacies.

 

[Medway Blue]

Personally I think it would be utter madness if we go into a home game without Hall. Yesterday was glorious, magnificent, but lets be honest it was still a bit of a freak result. The overwhelming theme of the season so far has been that we lack creativity without Hall, that doesnt go away because of yesterday. Playing at home is different, even more emphasis to create and we have no one similar to Hall. The issue is whether to drop Kane or Kalala, personally I would stick with Kane as more ability but thats a judgement call. Grant can wait, certainly wouldnt put him in my top 3 players. Passing poor and has he ever created a goal? Never seen what the hype is about. Also the 'dont change a winning team' formula is just ludicrous, as if Messi misses a barca victory and then cant get his place back.

Also, 1) you cannot in any way, shape or form compare Barcelona to Southend or, indeed, Messi to any SUFC players and 2) Kalala over Ferdinand please. Ferdinand isn't really doing it and the team as a unit looked far more solid and difficult to break down yeterday with JPK sitting in front of the back four.

 

[Medway Blue]

I understand the calls not to change a winning side, but Shrewsbury are one of the better teams in this God awful league, and being at home the onus will be on Blues to take the game to them. Therefore I'd pick Hall in the starting XI. That could be at the expense of Leonard who IMO Sturrock wants in his side for away matches. He played at Accrington & Rotherham, I can't remember if he played at Port Vale, but that's two really hard games we've won away where nobody gave us an earthly.

Noooooo don't drop Leonard! He played very well yesterday, played direct roles in three goals and I don't see the BS claim that left-footed Hall cannot play on the left wing. IF he is to drop anyone, it ahoukd be Ferdinand and Timlin can move inside with JPK.

 

[DTS]

Personally I think it would be utter madness if we go into a home game without Hall. Yesterday was glorious, magnificent, but lets be honest it was still a bit of a freak result. The overwhelming theme of the season so far has been that we lack creativity without Hall, that doesnt go away because of yesterday. Playing at home is different, even more emphasis to create and we have no one similar to Hall. The issue is whether to drop Kane or Kalala, personally I would stick with Kane as more ability but thats a judgement call. Grant can wait, certainly wouldnt put him in my top 3 players. Passing poor and has he ever created a goal? Never seen what the hype is about. Also the 'dont change a winning team' formula is just ludicrous, as if Messi misses a barca victory and then cant get his place back.

As always spot on Neil. Hall is a must, Granty must be in serious contention for a start, Moshni isnt good enough to start either in defence of upfront.

Not having Hall would be madness as he is clearly our best player. Its harsh on the starting XI but thats football.

 

[pickledseal]

I'd swap Ferdinand for Hall. Not sure what's up with the lad, just all the transfer gossip? No pre-season with the team? Not looked at his best at all. Would be very harsh on Leonard to be dropped, but it's a team game and it happens. Hope whatever Luggy chooses that next Friday we'll be top of the league!

 

[Southend Neil]

Also, 1) you cannot in any way, shape or form compare Barcelona to Southend or, indeed, Messi to any SUFC players and 2) Kalala over Ferdinand please. Ferdinand isn't really doing it and the team as a unit looked far more solid and difficult to break down yeterday with JPK sitting in front of the back four.

I was merely using an extreme example to challenge the great footballing fallacy of never changing a winning team. Of course they are different but at times this season in the home games Hall has looked like Messi compared to the others. Not so bothered about Kane/jpk, just mustnt play them both, saw enough of that against burton.

 

[Medway Blue]

At times, yes. But not all the time, and certainly not in the previous two home games against Gillingham ad Plymouth. He didn't perform in either game for me. The only way someone should waltz straight back into a team after a ban/injury is if that player is on mercurial form, and the fact that we've just recorded our most convincing win in ages without an off-colour Hall means that he should start on the bench on Friday for me. I don't agree with leaving it late to change though so if we're poor or not winning at the end of the first half then Hall must come on at half time.

 

[canveyshrimper]

One of football's greatest fallacies.

....and Drewe Broughton was one of Southend's greatest phalluses. :unsure:

 

[MK Shrimper]

....and Drewe Broughton was one of Southend's greatest phalluses. :unsure:

Is that reported from the dressing room? I thought he was called a donkey for his footballing ability too....now I understand!

 

[jamesmut2000]

It isn't just the scoreline that makes me think we should start the same team - it was the whole performance,workrate and attitude from yesterdays lineup.

As said above if it's not working then the team can be changed early enough during the game with some quality sitting on the bench.(Christ it's been a long time since we've had that many decent options in reserve!)

 

[sufc_dave]

Keep the team the same. After winning 4-0 away from home against a tough Rotherham team (even if they weren't at their best), it would be unfair to drop anyone.

If there was to be a change, I agree with the swap between Ferdinand and Hall. However, we have to stamp out on our collection of bookings and the team which played Rotherham didn't pick up one card.

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Would normally have Hall as the first name on the teamsheet but can understand Luggy if he plays the same team. After all he has won 3 promotions and Ive won none! At the end of the day its their poor discipline that has kept Hall, Grant and Mohsni out of the team. Noticeably we got no yellow cards yesterday, and by all accounts looked more disciplined.
Also Shrewsbury I doubt will sit back and play for a point, they will come and have a go so perhaps that formation will work. After all, we were very open against Northampton and we blew a 2 goal lead.

Think Leonard and JPK will be key players. LEonards long throw looks a more potent weapon than Herds was, and JPK seems to be the ideal shield for the back 4. Think once Sawyer is fit he will slot in ahead of Kane and give us a really strong looking midfield.

 

[Jay_SUFC]

At times, yes. But not all the time, and certainly not in the previous two home games against Gillingham ad Plymouth. He didn't perform in either game for me. The only way someone should waltz straight back into a team after a ban/injury is if that player is on mercurial form, and the fact that we've just recorded our most convincing win in ages without an off-colour Hall means that he should start on the bench on Friday for me. I don't agree with leaving it late to change though so if we're poor or not winning at the end of the first half then Hall must come on at half time.

Totally agree and couldn't put it better myself - Hall maybe one of our better players, but it's not as if he has set the league alight in the last few games he played