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Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Forest Green Rovers, Saturday 23rd November, 15:00 k.o., NL

Starting XI and result


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SOUTHEND United have gone back to basics in a bid to beat National League leaders Forest Green Rovers.

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SOUTHEND United have gone back to basics in a bid to beat National League leaders Forest Green Rovers.

The Shrimpers host the in-form table-toppers at Roots Hall tomorrow looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Altrincham.

And Blues boss Kevin Maher has left no stone unturned in his efforts to ensure Blues avoid a fourth loss in succession.

“We’ve got to get the basics right so we’ve looked at them and we’ll be prepared,” said Maher.

“We’ve watched Saturday’s game back and looked at the stats too.

“There are actually a lot of things we did well.

“We started well but then a moment goes against us and it’s about being able to clear your heads after that.

“We’ve got to get these things right and there’s organisation on a few bits and starting points we’ve got to a look.

“But a few weeks ago we were a very good side so you’re never too high and never too low.

“Usually somewhere in the middle is about right.”

The Shrimpers head into tomorrow’s clash sitting 16th in the standings.

And Maher admitted it had been a difficult season so far.

“Where we are, we’ve had the takeover and everyone thinks right lets go and win the league but it’s difficult,” said Maher.

“We’ve lost players, there’s been a lot of turnover and there’s a lot to sort around the club which COSU are doing a brilliant job on.

“There are games we’ve been brilliant in, like Charlton but then against Yeovil we had the red card which has been rescinded and that’s a huge moment in the game.

“Altrincham away is a difficult place to go but we can’t be too reactive on everything we do.

“We’ve got to keep doing what we know is right and what we know the players need to be ready to go.”
 
SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher admits trying to replace Harry Cardwell has been a difficult task this season.

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SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher admits trying to replace Harry Cardwell has been a difficult task this season.

Cardwell will be back at Roots Hall this weekend for the first time since deciding to join Forest Green Rovers from Blues in late August.

And Maher feels Cardwell continues to be a big miss

“The timing couldn’t have been worse,” said Maher on the forward's departure.

“We lost an 18 goal striker, which is without penalties, from last year and someone who had worked with us and knew the job.

“That’s very, very difficult to replace, especially at that time of the season.

“It’s not just how he was on the pitch either because off the pitch he was a brilliant, brilliant character.

“He’s someone we loved working with and it will be good to see him.”

Cardwell netted 29 goals in 86 appearances for the Shrimpers and has netted twice in 12 games since joining Forest Green.

The 28-year-old has started three league games for the league leaders this season.

The Echo were denied permission to interview Cardwell ahead of this weekend's game.
 
SOUTHEND United midfielder Cav Miley says the Shrimpers must embrace hosting table-topping Forest Green Rovers at Roots Hall.

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SOUTHEND United midfielder Cav Miley says the Shrimpers must embrace hosting table-topping Forest Green Rovers at Roots Hall on Saturday.

In-form Rovers have picked up 40 points from their first 18 games of the season.

But Miley wants Blues, who are 16th in the standings, to be on the front foot as they bid to get back to winning ways.

“We’re at home and we need to be the ones taking control of the game,” said the fit-again 29-year-old.

“We need to get a foothold on the game like we know we can.

“We won’t look at it like we’re playing the team top of the league.

“We’ll look at it like we’re at home and we need to win the game, that’s it.”

And Miley is excited by the challenge.

“It’s a good opportunity playing against a team who are doing so well at home in front of our fans,” said the midfielder.

“We’ve got to see it as a great opportunity and we’ve got to go for the three points.

“We need to give ourselves a little base to get a run of games going where we get points on board.”

The Shrimpers suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Altrincham last weekend having lost 1-0 at home to Yeovil Town seven days previously.

But Miley is taking heart from how Blues bounced back from an indifferent run of results last season.

“Last season I remember we were on a poor run,” recalled Miley.

“We played Oxford City away and it was a really poor performance from us.

“It was 0-0 but we got a point away from home and I think that was the start of a 15 game unbeaten run.

“There were a few games where performances weren’t great but we picked up points and slowly built momentum.

“You get going then performances start coming when the confidence is there.

“On the day we were leaving Oxford we were probably thinking we weren’t overly happy but a few weeks later that was a big point.

“It’s massively important to start picking up points now.”

Miley is keen to ensure the Shrimpers start to climb up the table.

And he is eager to not look back at past problems.

“Everyone is aware what happened in the past and how it was for us but that’s over with now,” said Miley.

“We need to see the challenge as right lets push on again.

“We just missed out on the play-offs last season after what happened which you could look at as an achievement in itself but we don’t want to be that team.

“We want to be in the play-offs challenging at the top of the league.”

Blues will therefore be eager to triumph tomorrow and Miley will again take to the field sporting a moustache he has grown for the Movember challenge.

“At the end of last month a few of us had a conversation,” said Miley.

“We just spoke about giving it a go and raising awareness around men’s health and mental health.

“A few of us are doing it which is great.

“Mine’s not the best but I thought I’d give it a go.”

Maculey Bonne, Gus Scott-Morriss and Danny Waldron are also taking part in Movember, with varying levels of success.

"One of the boys cheated and didn't shave at the start which in hindsight I shouldn't have done myself," laughed Miley.

"Macca (Bonne) on day one had a moustache I don't think I would be able to grow in about a year.

"I'm 29 now and I'd never be able to grow one like that."
 
ALL the updates from the pre-match press conference ahead of Southend United's clash with table-topping Forest Green Rovers.

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12:54pm
Southend will be underdogs again on Saturday but that kind of spirit galvanised the club last season. Is a repeat of that needed now?

Miley: "Everyone is aware what happened in the past and how it was for us but that's over with now. We need to see the challenge as right lets push on again. We just missed out on the play-offs last season after what happened which you could look at as an achievement in itself but we don't want to be that team. We want to be in the play-offs challenging at the top of the league. We've got to start doing that now. We need points and that's the priority. Once you start doing that then the performances will come."

12:50pm
Is it hard suddenly coming back into the team after injury, especially when there is no reserve team to build things up gradually anymore?

"We had the Essex Cup match which I would have played in if it was at home and it would have been a good opportunity to get minutes. But it was on Astroturf so coming back from a back injury we didn't think it was wise to do that so soon. I've been getting minutes coming on in games and the Charlton game ended up being longer than we expected with it going to extra time. Training is intense every day so I work hard like everyone else and you've got to get a platform to keep building. I need my performances to get better and stay consistently good. Hopefully that's the case. It was great to start on Saturday but I want to build from now on, just like we need to do as a team."

12:38pm
On returning to the starting line up, Miley says: "It was great to get my first start but I'd rather got points on the board. I'm getting myself back up to speed and I'm feeling fit again. We spoke about the team but I need to get my performances going again to make sure I'm helping the team in a positive way. It's great to be back but we need points on board now."

12:36pm
More from Miley: "When you're not in the best run of form I think if you go back to doing the basics really well then that gives you an opportunity to go and get points in the game. We can't be panicking and Forest Green at home on Saturday we need to be seeing that as an opportunity. We need to do the basics well, work hard and then our quality will come through."

12:32pm
On taking part in Movember with his team-mates, Miley says: "At the end of last month a few of us had a conversation here. We just about giving it a go and raising awareness around men's health and mental health. A few of us are doing it which is great. Mine's not the best but I thought I'd give it a go.

"One of the boys cheated and didn't shave at the start which in hindsight I shouldn't have done myself. Macca (Bonne) on day one had a moustache I don't think I would be able to grow in about a year. I'm 29 now and I'd never be able to grow one like that."

12:20pm
Miley: "Last season I remember we were on a poor run, I think it was a bit later on in the season. We played Oxford City away and it was a really poor performance from us. It was 0-0, we got a point away from home and I think that was the start of a 15 game unbeaten run. There were a few games where performances weren't great but we picked up points and slowly built momentum. You get going then performances start coming when the confidence is there. On the day we were leaving Oxford we were probably thinking we weren't overly happy but a few weeks later that was a big point. It's massively important to start picking up points now."

12:17pm
Asked about facing Harry Cardwell, Miley says: "It will be great to see him. He's a good friend of mine. I wish him all the best and hope he's doing well, just not on Saturday. We'll be concentrated on us and we need to go and get three points. We need to start building because we're getting to the stage of the season now where it's important. Coming into Christmas we need to get points and go again so we can climb up the table."

12:14pm
Miley says: "We're at home and we need to be the ones taking control of the game. We need to get a foothold on the game like we know we can. We won't look at it like we're playing the team top of the league. We'll look at it like we're at home and we need to win the game, that's it."

12:10pm
Blues will now look to bounce back against Forest Green Rovers this weekend.

Miley says: "It's a good opportunity playing against a team who are doing so well at home in front of our fans. We've got to see it as a great opportunity and we've got to go for the three points. We need to give ourselves a little base to get a run of games going where we get points on board."

12:09pm
Asked about Saturday's defeat, he says: "The whole team and group were hugely disappointed, especially with the first half. It was poor from us as a group of players. We just couldn't get going. We've watched it back and it's hard to put your finger on it. It wasn't good enough, we gave away too many chances and gave the ball away too easily as well. We never really got a foothold in the game in the first half. The second half was a little bit better but they were 2-0 up so it was going to the case. The performance wasn't good enough."

12:06pm
Up next is Cav Miley.

12:05pm
Asked about transfers, Maher said there was nothing new to report at this stage.

Blues are obviously giving nothing away on their pursuit of new players. It's an obvious comment to make too but it's often been said to me that the club are determined to sign the right players rather than just getting someone in for the sake of it.

11:54am
A lot is made about formation and tactics but that must be something you're constantly looking at?

Maher: "What the formation looks like at the start is always different when you look at where the ball is on the pitch. People say go 4-4-2 and go wide but we got 40 crosses into the box on Saturday. Now, the quality of the crosses is something we'll look at but it's not always about formations it's about what's happening on the pitch in certain moments. We had more possession last week, more shots and more everything but we lost the game 2-0 and that's the most important you've got to get right."

11:47am
Maher adds: "Where we are, we've had the takeover and everyone thinks right lets go and win the league but it's difficult. We've lost players, there's been a lot of turnover and there's a lot to sort around the club which COSU are doing a brilliant job on. There are games we've been brilliant in, like Charlton. Against Yeovil we had the red card which has been rescinded and that's a huge moment in the game. You're taking a good run of form into that and one or two things didn't go our way. Altrincham away is a difficult place to go. We can't be too reactive on everything we do and keep doing what we know is right and what we know the players need to be ready to go."

11:44am
After watching and analysing the game on Saturday, what now needs to change going into the Forest Green match?

Maher: "We've watched it back and looked at the stats too. There are actually a lot of things we did well. We started well but then a moment goes against us and it's about being able to clear your heads after that. We've got to get these things right, there's organisation on a few bits and starting points we've got to a look. But a few weeks ago we were a very good side so you're never too high and never too low. Usually somewhere in the middle is about right."
11:38am

11:37am
Asked about the FA misconduct charge Maher confirms he has requested a personal hearing.

11:36am
On Harry Cardwell's return to Roots Hall with Forest Green and on how much he is missed by Blues, Maher says: "The timing couldn't have been worse. We lost an 18 goal striker, which is without penalties, from last year and someone who had worked with us and knew the job. That's very, very difficult to replace, especially at that time of the season. It's not just how he was on the pitch either because off the pitch he was a brilliant, brilliant character. He's someone we loved working with and it will be good to see him again."

11:28am
On the home support and the North Bank being reopened for Blues fans, Maher says: "It's up to us to give them something to cheer and when the players need help I'm sure they will be there for them like they always are. It's huge for us and it's good news about the North Bank too. I'm delighted it's going back to the fans who have been there so often in the past. It's great we get to have that again."

11:24am
Question from BBC Essex: Glenn Pennyfather said in commentary last weekend that the players didn't have the fire in their belly. How do you keep that ignited?

Maher: "I don't agree with them not having fire in their belly for a start. Did they have fire in their belly when they went down to 10 men for 70 minutes against Yeovil? Yes they did. Charlton did they have fire in their belly? Yes they did. Sometimes things go against you and I think our reaction to that could be better. That happens on the pitch."

11:16am
Asked about Joe Gubbins' injury Maher says: "Joe's still with the medical department and he's been doing some straight line running. Hopefully he will push on and we will go on how he feels a little bit. There's a process in terms of what things look like. He was starting to feel well so we pushed him on a bit. We'll keep moving him on and see how he reacts to each stage of the recovery."

11:14am
Maher adds: "They've signed and recruited ever so well, like we know with Cards (Harry Cardwell). They're strong across the board with different threats from different areas. They're ones we'll look at and hopefully be ready for."

11:13am
On facing Forest Green, Maher says: "It's a tough one, we know. They're top of the league for a reason. They're very well organised and very well coached with a lot of good players which is the main thing. It's another test and a different one from what we've faced. It's one we've got to be up for."

11:11am
Maher: "We always watch games back and reflect on it and analyse it. We also look at what we think we can do better and what we think we did well. When you watch it back in the cold light of day it's probably not as bad as you thought in certain points of the game. There are other aspects we need to get better at and we know that. Likewise, when we win it might not be as good as you think, but we've put it to bed and worked hard this week. It's a tough game and we can't afford to give up chances like we did. We have to try and exploit weaknesses too but the teams up the top invariably have less weaknesses than most. We've got to get the basics right and we'll be prepared."

11:09am
Up first is Kevin Maher.

11:07am
We're going to be talking to both midfielder Cav Miley and Blues boss Kevin Maher.

11:05am
WE'RE back at a freezing Boots & Laces this morning for all the pre-match interviews ahead of Southend United's clash with table-topping Forest Green Rovers.
 

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