Pre-Match Thread Hartlepool United v Southend United, Saturday 17th August, 15:00 k.o., NL

[kentblues]

Collin
Taylor Kensdale Ralph
Gus Coker Miley Morton Bridge
Cardwell Walker

Can’t see anything else without a signing. Either a draw or we nick it be the odd goal. A team that has solid written all over it

 

[NYPOOLIE]

How are you with 'Due Diligence', it's one of our favourite phrases.

Yes, you guys have been through the ringer right enough, NDA’s, Due Diligence, hopefully things are getting better for you going forward.

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

Colin

Gus Kensdale Gubbins Ralph Bridge

Cav Morton
Coker

Cardwell Walker

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

...and when we did get the ball we just knocked it up to the front two. If you gonna play 3-5-2, you can't keep bypassing the lads in midfield.

We didn't have anyone in midfield did we? Certainly not when Coker was hooked off for Waldron. Miley was on but he was never going to drive it forwards. I don't think we will see Kev starting with those players in those positions again .. but no idea who we will try in CM next to Coker. The obvious choice is Morton but the general consensus is he's another Cav, too defensive. Let's see. Or let's hope we by some miracle we get an attacking centre mid in by Sat.

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

Colin

Gus Kensdale Gubbins Ralph Bridge

Cav Morton
Coker

Cardwell Walker

Gubbins for Taylor ? You must have been watching a different game to me on Sat

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

We didn't have anyone in midfield did we? Certainly not when Coker was hooked off for Waldron. Miley was on but he was never going to drive it forwards. I don't think we will see Kev starting with those players in those positions again .. but no idea who we will try in CM next to Coker. The obvious choice is Morton but the general consensus is he's another Cav, too defensive. Let's see. Or let's hope we by some miracle we get an attacking centre mid in by Sat.

I agree. And yes Miley and Morton are very similar. Still, may be best to start tight away from home

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

Regarding general fitness, I think we're fine but you need to be match fit as well. Be focused and sharp on the ball and be aware of where your team-mates are and also the opposition. We didn't play enough friendlies to grasp that and our decision-making against York was uncharacteristically poor.

I know you don't like Wes but the fact is we are missing him as it stands. Our midfield is flat and too predictable, hence why Bridge has playing centrally. I'm not suggesting we can't/won't find an upgrade on Wes but his movement and ability to find space between midfield and attack, not to mention his link up play with Bridge, was a real asset, and so far (including friendlies) we have struggled without him.

Just to be clear: I'm sure Wes and a beer would be good company.
As a footballer, he's smoke and mirrors.
Saw him live last season and many more times courtesy of NLTV. At this level, you want the basics of reasonably accurate passing; tackling and the odd meaningful shot.
Yes, he scored a couple, and yes, the winner against Chesterfield started with him. But even that was a no-hope pass that got deflected in.
But I agree about our predictable midfield, and yes, we most certainly do need an upgrade on Wes.

 

[RHB]

Yes, you guys have been through the ringer right enough, NDA’s, Due Diligence, hopefully things are getting better for you going forward.

This plaque was screwed to the wall of a derelict house next to Roots Hall on Saturday. Says it all really.

Off topic, and I'll tell me off afterwards.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

On topic .I'm rather wondering what DazN will do for commentators On Sat?Don't think they'll be shelling out expenses for those 2 mockney boys to travel up to Hartlepool so perhaps we can look forward to 2 super Northern commenatots on Sat-rather than the usual monkey slayers or BBC Essex's regular away duo.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

I expect same team, or Morton in for Bridge. Gubbins is a big signing for us, so I expect he'll play. Doubt Kev will switch it up so soon after Saturday, but he changed it plenty in the second half so maybe. the midfield didn't work, but whether that was down to us not working or their work against us, that's why Kev etc get paid the big bucks

 

[RHB]

I expect same team, or Morton in for Bridge. Gubbins is a big signing for us, so I expect he'll play. Doubt Kev will switch it up so soon after Saturday, but he changed it plenty in the second half so maybe. the midfield didn't work, but whether that was down to us not working or their work against us, that's why Kev etc get paid the big bucks

That's interesting. I see him as an addition to our defensive back line, but I hadn't viewed him as a big signing, certainly not bought in to replace Nathan Ralph.

 

[Chrisb]

How are you with 'Due Diligence', it's one of our favourite phrases.

Hopefully not any more.

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

On topic .I'm rather wondering what DazN will do for commentators On Sat?Don't think they'll be shelling out expenses for those 2 mockney boys to travel up to Hartlepool so perhaps we can look forward to 2 super Northern commenatots on Sat-rather than the usual monkey slayers or BBC Essex's regular away duo.

Is it true that BBC Essex aren't doing match commentaries anymore? For me there's a loss of quality in sound when I do mirroring on my TV from NLTV. Put up with it on Saturday but in the past I've attempted (and sometimes managed) to synchronise the TV image with Radio Essex commentary. Is that option no longer available???

 

[Piledriver]

I'd suggest it was more because we spent almost the entireity of the second half chasing Yorks shadows. With nobody able to get a foot on the ball and give us a breather.

No idea what the possession stats were second half, but it felt monumentally in favour of York.

Very unlike us, unsustainable and looked a shock to their systems.

The team was knackered against Chelmsford after 25-30 minutes and against Gillingham to hot weather ?

 

[Mr Browns Ghost]

I'm happy with that, but I think i'd start a bit more cautiously away from home. Same personnel, but 4-4-2 with Gus and Ralph as FB's and Coker Right mid.

More cautiously ? 95 minutes of defending instead of 85 jeeez

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

More cautiously ? 95 minutes of defending instead of 85 jeeez

I thought we set up quite attacking on Sat, with Bridge and Coker as attacking midfielders in a 3-5-2. It was only when we went ahead and switched to 5-3-2 to defend it, that created the caution

 

[Roger The Alien]

There is an option to watch Southend Vs Hartlepool on NLTV, I just clicked on VPN, and refresh it, it’s show like the screenshot.

I be watching it at home.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Is it true that BBC Essex aren't doing match commentaries anymore? For me there's a loss of quality in sound when I do mirroring on my TV from NLTV. Put up with it on Saturday but in the past I've attempted (and sometimes managed) to synchronise the TV image with Radio Essex commentary. Is that option no longer available???

Not only that but any attempt to access BBCEssex at any time (unless you have a VPN) is automatically blocked (which seems a tad excesive to me.I quite like listening to Glen Penny's Fri .show for example;Also the BBC Essex pre-and post match coverage will be missed) .Especially Paul Carke's comments.

 

[Evening Echo]

KEVIN Maher feels Southend United are in a “better place” ahead of Saturday's clash at Hartlepool United.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[kentblues]

I expect same team, or Morton in for Bridge. Gubbins is a big signing for us, so I expect he'll play. Doubt Kev will switch it up so soon after Saturday, but he changed it plenty in the second half so maybe. the midfield didn't work, but whether that was down to us not working or their work against us, that's why Kev etc get paid the big bucks

But where will he play. No way is he a better LCB than Ralph? In a back three the RCB and LCB must be able to cover behind the wing backs. It particularly suits those can play CB and FB. Both Taylor and Ralph fit this and are exceptional at this level. To me Gubbins and Crowther are ideal cover for Kensdale? I think we have five good players but as in midfield not necessarily the right mix- but what do I know..