Pre-Match Thread Halifax v Southend United, Saturday 30th November, 15:00ko, NL

[RHB]

Weather for Halifax today tomorrow and Saturday is forecast to be dry. Probably don't need your big coat, but just to sure...................

 

[Whispering Bob]

From a Halifax rag;

We spoke to Chris Phillips from the Southend Echo for the lowdown on FC Halifax Town’s opponents on Saturday.
What have you made of Southend's season so far?
“It’s been rather up and down. I think most fans would have expected Southend to be higher up the table at this stage but for a variety of reasons that hasn’t happened. Every time it seems as though the season has kicked on it hasn’t quite materialised and things haven’t really clicked into gear yet. There have already been quite a few ups and downs but there always is following Southend.”
What have the fans made of it - did they expect Southend to be higher up the table than they are at the moment?
“I think yes is the instinctive answer here. The team over-achieved last season and with issues concerning the club’s ownership resolved over the summer I think the expectation was for Southend to really kick on and be challenging for the play-offs. It’s never that straight forward though is it and, in hindsight, I think the club has been broken for so long it was always going to take time to really get it back on track.”
“Honestly who knows with Southend! I think if a settled team can be established and they can eliminate some individual mistakes I do think they will climb up the table compared to where they are now. I’m confident it will be a top half finish but I gave up trying to predict anything to do with Southend a very long time ago.”
Who have been your star performers so far?
“Gus Scott-Morriss started the season on fire and quickly got nine goals which is incredible for a right wing-back. He hasn’t scored for a little while but he’d certainly be up there for the player of the year so far as would defender Harry Taylor who is very consistent. Oli Coker and James Morton have done well in more recent weeks but it’s probably quite telling I haven’t mentioned any forward players here unfortunately.”
What type of team can Halifax expect to come up against on Saturday?
“Southend have been quite inconsistent so it’s hard to tell. They were very good against Charlton and Forest Green but then very poor at Altrincham. Southend will always look to try and win the game. They’re not a team who will pack men behind the ball to try and get a point so hopefully that makes for a good game. Blues switched to 4-3-3 for Tuesday night’s clash at Woking having previously lined up in a 3-5-2 formation for quite some time so that’s been a recent change. From Southend’s perspective the game at Woking was ruined by a red card to Cav Miley early in the second half so it was tough to really give an accurate review of how the system change worked.”
Who will be your dangermen and why?
“It’s a tough one to answer this. There isn’t a dangerman as such who instantly springs to mind. Blues haven’t had a striker scoring regularly this season. Bim Pepple is the highest scoring forward with four goals while midfielder Oli Coker has a good eye for goal. Gus Scott-Morriss is still top-scorer with nine and I love his enthusiasm for the game but can a right-back be picked as a danger-man? I’ll let other people decide on that one!”
Injuries/suspensions?
“Cav Miley is suspended after he was sent off during the 0-0 draw at Woking on Tuesday night. Defender Joe Gubbins has been out since the end of October with an Achilles issue but has resumed light training. Saturday could still be too soon for him though.”
Likely line up and formation?
(4-3-3): Andeng Ndi, Scott-Morriss, Taylor, Crowther, Morton, Husin, Coker, Pepple, Bonne, Walker.

 

[Blue Yonder]

I think that was behind the goal at the far end for away fans.
Below is what I think was their East Stand. That ground really was the pits back in the 60s.

Bottom picture is astonishingly grim ! Never went there then. Now its quite a respectable stadium marred by only opening two sides (and a useless pitch),

 

[Supernaut]

You get a little glimpse of Halifax's ground as it was in 1975 in this video (skip to the 7 minute mark)...

 

[Tampa Blue]

From a Halifax rag;

We spoke to Chris Phillips from the Southend Echo for the lowdown on FC Halifax Town’s opponents on Saturday.
What have you made of Southend's season so far?
“It’s been rather up and down. I think most fans would have expected Southend to be higher up the table at this stage but for a variety of reasons that hasn’t happened. Every time it seems as though the season has kicked on it hasn’t quite materialised and things haven’t really clicked into gear yet. There have already been quite a few ups and downs but there always is following Southend.”
What have the fans made of it - did they expect Southend to be higher up the table than they are at the moment?
“I think yes is the instinctive answer here. The team over-achieved last season and with issues concerning the club’s ownership resolved over the summer I think the expectation was for Southend to really kick on and be challenging for the play-offs. It’s never that straight forward though is it and, in hindsight, I think the club has been broken for so long it was always going to take time to really get it back on track.”
“Honestly who knows with Southend! I think if a settled team can be established and they can eliminate some individual mistakes I do think they will climb up the table compared to where they are now. I’m confident it will be a top half finish but I gave up trying to predict anything to do with Southend a very long time ago.”
Who have been your star performers so far?
“Gus Scott-Morriss started the season on fire and quickly got nine goals which is incredible for a right wing-back. He hasn’t scored for a little while but he’d certainly be up there for the player of the year so far as would defender Harry Taylor who is very consistent. Oli Coker and James Morton have done well in more recent weeks but it’s probably quite telling I haven’t mentioned any forward players here unfortunately.”
What type of team can Halifax expect to come up against on Saturday?
“Southend have been quite inconsistent so it’s hard to tell. They were very good against Charlton and Forest Green but then very poor at Altrincham. Southend will always look to try and win the game. They’re not a team who will pack men behind the ball to try and get a point so hopefully that makes for a good game. Blues switched to 4-3-3 for Tuesday night’s clash at Woking having previously lined up in a 3-5-2 formation for quite some time so that’s been a recent change. From Southend’s perspective the game at Woking was ruined by a red card to Cav Miley early in the second half so it was tough to really give an accurate review of how the system change worked.”
Who will be your dangermen and why?
“It’s a tough one to answer this. There isn’t a dangerman as such who instantly springs to mind. Blues haven’t had a striker scoring regularly this season. Bim Pepple is the highest scoring forward with four goals while midfielder Oli Coker has a good eye for goal. Gus Scott-Morriss is still top-scorer with nine and I love his enthusiasm for the game but can a right-back be picked as a danger-man? I’ll let other people decide on that one!”
Injuries/suspensions?
“Cav Miley is suspended after he was sent off during the 0-0 draw at Woking on Tuesday night. Defender Joe Gubbins has been out since the end of October with an Achilles issue but has resumed light training. Saturday could still be too soon for him though.”
Likely line up and formation?
(4-3-3): Andeng Ndi, Scott-Morriss, Taylor, Crowther, Morton, Husin, Coker, Pepple, Bonne, Walker.

CP is confident, his line up only has 10 players!! Poor old Ralph and/or Bridge

 

[Tommy2holes]

11c and sunny so it will be on.

Can only see a scoreline that reads Southend 0

 

[shrimperjon]

Colin
Wind Crowther Taylor Ralph
Keenan Morton Coker
Bonne Pepple Walker

1-1

 

[Evening Echo]

ALL the updates from Southend United's press conference ahead of Saturday's match at Halifax Town.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[RHB]

I've asked the Halifax faithful about the weather and pitch for Saturday and they are pretty confident that it will go ahead. A frozen pitch may be a problem, but covers will be on. One of theirs reckons they are not very good at the moment (my words) and that we should take a book just in case (his words). Maybe he watched the Woking game?

 

[Harry Bullocks]

As per Shrimperjon, but think it’ll probably be GSM and Husin ( not Wind and Keenan - sadly)
I believe both warrant a start

 

[ITMAN]

The "one" you quote is Jonah's younger brother and is only happy when Town lose. Anything he says I would take with a pinch of salt.....

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

They used The Shay as an ice rink in 1963!

 

[Shaymen down under]

I've asked the Halifax faithful about the weather and pitch for Saturday and they are pretty confident that it will go ahead. A frozen pitch may be a problem, but covers will be on. One of theirs reckons they are not very good at the moment (my words) and that we should take a book just in case (his words). Maybe he watched the Woking game?

Mate the guy who posted that, hates the manager with a passion. We aren't going to score loads of goals, but we are the youngest and probably hardest working team in the league. Technically we won't blow you away, but we have our moments and we never get thrashed. Our 3-0 loss to you guys last season was a blip, but if I remember correctly we controlled a lot of the game. I expect itnto
Be a close game with little between the two sides.

As for the weather, the covers aren't on at moment as they were removed on Monday this week, as they had been all the previous week. Weather has been sunny since Tuesday, but -1, -2 nights have been turning in 6/7 degree days. One slight problem is that one half of the ground in front of home terrace never gets any sunlight for about 4 months of year, but the expected minimum temps of 4 degrees tonight and then 12/13 maximum on Saturday, should hopefully mean game is good to go. Those pics I posted of pitch, were from yesterday....

 

[Green Wizard]

Did they used to have a casino in the 1960s or was I imagining it, I seem to remember one club did.

 

[meerkat54]

Think we will get turned over 2-0 . We will have to wait another week when we play Brentwood to scrape a 2-1 win
Joking aside now , I just can’t see us scoring against Halifax . We will be set up defensively, plus if a goal scoring opportunity arises we just don’t look confident enough to put them away.

 

[RHB]

I'm predicting a Bonne bomber to open his account this season. We will gaze on in wonder and bewilderment. This will follow on from Bim banging one home and we will return with 3 points and a Bim bang Bonne.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

ALL the updates from Southend United's press conference ahead of Saturday's match at Halifax Town.
By Chris Phillips.

As usual guys and gals, from the bottom up, unfortunately.

6:50pm
Any update on signings at this stage and why do you feel deals haven't been completed yet?

Maher: "Of course, we have this conversation every week!

"We know a couple of signings could make a real difference but it's about getting it right and making sure we have the right process to do that.

"We want to keep on improving the team so we've got to get that part of it right."

6:49pm
Is Joe Gubbins back in training yet?

Maher: "He's not in full training, no. He's stepping up his rehab with the medical staff so hopefully he's progressing quite well."

6:46pm
How difficult is it to deal with setbacks on the pitch just when it appears things might to starting to click?

Maher: "It's so frustrating at the minute. It's so frustrating that there is always something being thrown our way a little bit. People will say it's just excuses but no this is what has happened. We've been here long enough to know what we're doing but it does seem that way. When we talk to the players we've got to emphasise doing the right things because that will change. When it does we will really start motoring but we've got to keep working hard."

6:43pm
How much of a blow for the team and for himself as well is it to be without Cav Miley this weekend?

Maher: "It's disappointing because when he's out for so long he needs a few games to get himself up to speed again and get his rhythm back.

"It felt like he was starting to do that because he was landing on second balls more, competing more and getting around the pitch so it's disappointed for him.

"He's so honest in everything he does. He sets the tone in training and in games too with how competitive and intense we are.

"It's disappointing for Cav but he will come back stronger like he always has done for us since he's been here."

6:38pm
Maher adds: "I'm pleased with the lads and how they've been. We want more points on the board but we will get stronger and I've no doubt we will climb the league at the right time. We've got to get the right people in the right positions and we're trying to do that in terms of bringing in one or two more bodies. We'd love to strengthen and it would make a big difference but we've got to make sure they're right.

6:32pm
Asked about referees, Maher replies: "I'm not going to go down that road. It's frustrating because there were four or five tackles at the start of the game on Tuesday which could've gone either way. It's a difficult job and we've got to play our part to help them as well but big decisions have got to be right."

6:30pm
Asked about Halifax, Maher says: "It's a big pitch and we've had some good battles there recently. They had a good result midweek coming from behind against Forest Green and they're always a tough opponent. They're organised and the manager has done a brilliant job there. I watched them earlier on in the season when they were short of players but they've got going and they're really well organised. They're really well coached and carry a real threat as well."

6:28pm
On Harry Taylor slotting into a back four, Maher replies: "He's low maintenance and high output which we talk about. You can't have enough of them in the building. He's consistent with everything he does and he's carried on from last year. I'm delighted with him."

6:27pm
On Macauley Bonne, Maher says: "He wants that first goal more than anyone. When he first came in he had one or two chances which didn't quite go in but he leads the line well and he gives an outlet to players. His experience and nous, especially the other night, was vitally important. He's getting up to speed but we them all to be firing. The more they do the more games we will win."

6:25pm
Asked how he thought the front three worked, Maher says: "It was a scrappy game first half and both sides will say that. It was on a difficult slick pitch but they showed moments they can cause teams problems individually and collectively. We saw some bits we're pleased with and we want them to get on the score-sheet more which goes without saying. They're all showing bits individually and we need our forwards to start scoring goals."

6:22pm
Kevin Maher on the last two games: "They're different games of course. Forest Green are top and we took the game to them at home on the front foot. We could've won it and it was similar on Tuesday. It's a different game when we're down to 10 men and we had to show different qualities. Woking's form is
good at home and they don't lose many there. We've had to be organised in both games."

5:40pm
On his game evolving throughout the years, Bonne says: "In my youngers days I was just thrown in left side, right side. I was a runner which I still am but over my career I've learnt how to be better in the air, how to use my size and I feel like I've had to adapt to that side of things.

"If you only play one way you become too predictable. I don't want to just be a striker who runs in behind. I want to be an all-rounder and I class myself as a bit of an old school number nine.

"There's not many of us about anymore but I just love heading the ball and I don't know why.

"I've found myself being quite good at it in the last few years and it's second nature for me now.

"I've had to evolve but it's helped me."

5:37pm
Bonne is still taking part in Movember. He says: "Gus (Scott-Morriss) came in and just asked who was doing it but my wife hates it.

"She'd been in the house about half an hour when she suddenly asked me what I'd done to my face!

"I just said well Gus said to do it so I'm doing it.

"If I cut it all off I'd look about 12 but now I've grown it I'm keeping it.

"I'm going to try and go all season with it and see how much I can grow it.

"It's here to stay."

5:33pm
Asked about reading the game, Bonne says: "I do it in the warm up and I watch their centre halves. I probably shouldn't be saying this but I've done it my whole career.

"I'll see he's good at heading, he's left footed and I'll watch. I'll see how far the keeper is kicking it too so I know when the ball is coming towards me which defender I can try and pin.

"For me I get the gist of things from the warm up and from my first header. If I win my first header against the centre-half I think right I'm going to pick on you today.

"I did that the other night and chose the right side because I felt like I was dominating him."

5:29pm
Asked about Halifax's fine defensive record, Bonne replies: "If I'm really honest I don't think about that. You get told but if I go into the game thinking they have the best defensive record it's something you don't want in your mind.

"At the end of the day it's 11 v 11 and you're both trying to get the three points. No matter what league you're in there will always be a team who have better this or that but you can't think about it.

"It's all about how we play and trying to break them down. I think we have enough strength and power to do it."

5:24pm
He adds: "When I've been on a run of scoring a few goals I've missed a few chances but because I'd scored I knew I'd get another chance. I've scored goals and this has happened to me so many times in my career, don't worry about it.

"OK I'm getting to get a few boos and a bit of stick but I'll take that I'm a fully grown man. At the end of the day my job is to put the ball in the back of the net and if I'm not then people are going to be annoyed.

"Now, if I miss a chance I'll take a breather, I'll have 10 seconds to myself and a bit of a talk.

"But after that if it comes to you, you need to be tidy. It used to affect me for days but you can't waste time on a pitch thinking about a chance you missed."

5:21pm
On missed chances, Bonne says: "When I was younger I would've beaten myself up. I probably would've been punching walls and have broken hands from missing chances but that's the worst thing you can do. I tell people now coming through academies 'don't worry about it'. As long as I'm in those areas to score I know one of them is going to go in. I've been playing years now so I know the worst thing you can do after missing a chance is to go under. It used to happen all the time when I was playing. The next 10 or 15 minutes you wouldn't have seen me because I would beat myself up but what's the point because in a minute's time you might get another chance but if you're still beating yourself up it will just keep on repeating. The chance the other night, I focus on making sure I'm helping the team out, win my headers and bring others into the game. That's what I did and personally I thought I did really well the other night for us with 10 men."

5:12pm
He adds: "I always play with a bit of fire in my belly but that fire probably went out the last year or so I would say. I felt like I needed to come somewhere like Southend to get that hunger back for the game. The group of the lads here, the manager and coaches have all been spot on with me. They've taken to me really well and I've taken to them really well too."

5:10pm
What have you made of your time with Southend so far?

Bonne: "I'm enjoying it. The first 10 appearances was more me trying to find my lungs again after a long time off. Over the last few weeks I have been feeling back to myself. I came here with a bit of weight to lose and sharpness to get back to and I feel like the last three games I feel like I'm at my sharpest now. Hopefully that can continue."

4:54pm
Asked about facing Halifax, Bonne says: "They will want to build on their point against Forest Green same as we did. I think it's going to be a good game because they've gone and drawn with a team I think will be right up there all season. They're well-structured and a team of men. I do admire Forest Green but I think this will be a battle of who wants it more in my opinion. It's going to be a cold day but we'll prepare for it and I really feel like we're going to get the three points."

4:50pm
On getting up to speed, he says: "I'm more happy that I haven't picked up any knocks after going from not doing much and not playing much football over the last year to coming in and playing a fair few 90 minutes. I've got through games and played a lot of minutes. The only knocks I've had have been headbutts and kicks but apart from that I'm enjoying my time here."

4:40pm
Bonne is still waiting for his first Blues goal. When asked about it, he says: "For me I'd say I've only really been fully fit for the past two weeks. Before then my mindset was getting a little pre-season in. It wasn't a case of me not doing anything in the off-season but I was more relaxed. When I came in I played game by game by game but sometimes that's the best way to get fit. Other times you need to polish up on other things and the last two weeks I've been feeling back at my best now. I had a chance the other night, I probably should've gone near post and low but it's one of those things. My whole career I've scored goals in clusters and once one goes in on Saturday I can go on a bit of a run."

4:35pm
On the change of shape, Bonne says: "We did it for the last half an hour against Forest Green and the gaffer must have liked it because we started it with it for the next game. I was on the right for Forest Green but was in the middle at Woking and let Bim and Walks do their thing as they're a bit sharper and faster than me. I'm a bit more of a targetman nowadays and it was to have them all around. I don't think we've all been on the pitch at the same time before so it was good and I thought it worked really well up until the red card."

4:30pm
Asked more about Tuesday, Bonne adds: "Personally I thought it was two points dropped. With 10 men we gave them a game. I had to change my game a bit and was a bit of a target-man trying to win fouls and get us up the pitch. I still think, for me personally, it was two points dropped. Yes we got one on the board but I do think it was a winnable game."

4:28pm
Up first is Macauley Bonne. Asked about recent form he says: "You look at the two draws and you think with 11 men on Tuesday we probably do go and get three points in that game. Forest Green, a team who are flying at the top of the league, we went toe to toe with them. We went behind and came back to draw. We took momentum into Tuesday and hopefully these last two games can push us on for the Halifax game now."

4:25pm
WE'RE back at Boots & Laces ahead of Southend United's clash with Halifax Town this weekend. We're due to speak with Macauley Bonne and Kevin Maher.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

I like that, what Bonne says. I think we should start him and be patient because I genuinely think he can be a threat at this level.

 

[NZamba Legend]

Very interesting read that.

 

[Holy Joe]

Very interesting read that.

hhmmm - this bit...

"We know a couple of signings could make a real difference but it's about getting it right and making sure we have the right process to do that."


So the recruitment process is being adjusted??????