Echo News Shrimpers boss Maher on why Walker had to be taken off plus his forward plans

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United head coach Kevin Maher was forced to substitute Josh Walker against Eastleigh on Saturday.

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[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

SOUTHEND United head coach Kevin Maher was forced to substitute Josh Walker against Eastleigh on Saturday.

Walker made way for Jack Bridge nine minutes from time in the Shrimpers’ 1-0 win at the Silverlake Stadium.

And Maher admitted it was a change which had to be made.

“He got a whack and he was cramping up after working his socks off,” said Maher.

“He really put a shift in up there.”

Walker started alongside Macauley Bonne in attack before the former Ipswich Town forward was replaced by Bim Pepple who bagged the only goal of the game late on

But Maher is still craving more striking options.

“We want competition up top and want to have the option to start with two forwards and bring two on,” said Maher.

“There are so many games where we haven’t been able to do that and it will make us stronger.”

Maher is believed to still be in the market for another forward but could soon be boosted by the return of striker Danny Waldron who has been out

 

[leeblue]

Bonne wouldn't be part of my plans.
Shame there are valuable resources being drained by his presence.
Great movement apparently

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Bonne wouldn't be part of my plans.
Shame there are valuable resources being drained by his presence.
Great movement apparently

The idea apparently with Bonne is that they know there's a very good striker at this level in there, as his goalscoring record has proved. He has the potential to be the best striker at the club, if he rediscovers that form. So he's been given the minutes on the pitch to find it, and get back to the player he was. Sadly, it's not happened up to now. Somethings not quite right.

 

[thenobster]

The idea apparently with Bonne is that they know there's a very good striker at this level in there, as his goalscoring record has proved. He has the potential to be the best striker at the club, if he rediscovers that form. So he's been given the minutes on the pitch to find it, and get back to the player he was. Sadly, it's not happened up to now. Somethings not quite right.

Probably the same could have been said about mr Ranger… and a few others

 

[leeblue]

The idea apparently with Bonne is that they know there's a very good striker at this level in there, as his goalscoring record has proved. He has the potential to be the best striker at the club, if he rediscovers that form. So he's been given the minutes on the pitch to find it, and get back to the player he was. Sadly, it's not happened up to now. Somethings not quite right.

He's not the player he used to be is my conclusion.
Wasn't he in a big car crash with Marc Antoine fortune....May explain the lack of jumping or high work rate..if injury occurred in said crash.

 

[Blue Yonder]

The idea apparently with Bonne is that they know there's a very good striker at this level in there, as his goalscoring record has proved. He has the potential to be the best striker at the club, if he rediscovers that form. So he's been given the minutes on the pitch to find it, and get back to the player he was. Sadly, it's not happened up to now. Somethings not quite right.

This is the way it is. With no reserves, b team or whatever there is no way for a player to play their way back into form, regain confidence or get back to match sharpness short of the pain of watching them do it in first team football.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

He's not the player he used to be is my conclusion.
Wasn't he in a big car crash with Marc Antoine fortune....May explain the lack of jumping or high work rate..if injury occurred in said crash.

It was last year in Gillingham. He was driving with Tim Dieng and George Lapslie as passengers. A car fault caused the crash it was found. No injuries to anyone.

 

[leeblue]

It was last year in Gillingham. He was driving with Tim Dieng and George Lapslie as passengers. A car fault caused the crash it was found. No injuries to anyone.

Ahhhh cheers for clearing up.

 

[leeblue]

When Waldron returns it'll be another option.
1. Walker
2. Pepple
3. Waldron
4. Wood
5. Bonne
Is my pecking order.
Kev reckons he wants another in.

 

[amsemp]

When Waldron returns it'll be another option.
1. Walker
2. Pepple
3. Waldron
4. Wood
5. Bonne
Is my pecking order.
Kev reckons he wants another in.

Wood definitely isn’t a striker and Bonne definitely isn’t a footballer. So that leaves 3 semi-reliable striking options. Potentially 2 if you discount Waldron who due to injury, hasn’t had any sort of consistent run of games. Another good option is definitely needed. Just hope we’re not paying Bonne handsomely for the utter bollocks he’s giving us in return.

 

[JD]

When Waldron returns it'll be another option.
1. Walker
2. Pepple
3. Waldron
4. Wood
5. Bonne
Is my pecking order.
Kev reckons he wants another in.

Wood isn’t a striker.

Pepple should be number one pick, with one other to partner him.

 

[leeblue]

Wood isn’t a striker.

Pepple should be number one pick, with one other to partner him.

Walker will come good, needs supply.
Agree with Wood....Still pick him ahead of Bonne

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

When Waldron returns it'll be another option.
1. Walker
2. Pepple
3. Waldron
4. Wood
5. Bonne
Is my pecking order.
Kev reckons he wants another in.

How did Wood sneak in to that? He's a winger / CAM

In no way is he a striker, but saying that, jury is out on Bonne in that regard