Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Gateshead, Saturday 3rd February, 15:00k.o., NL

[Shrimp and two veg]

I just don't understand this clamour to drop Bridge.

Especially at Roots Hall. The amount of defenders that poke out a leg in desperation for fear of being made to look silly.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I just don't understand this clamour to drop Bridge.

Not 'drop', rest. The implications are very different. I want to get Bridgey back on top form ASAP and personally I think coming off the bench in the second half with defenders tiring will help him be more direct and effective, and therefore spark a bit better form from him.

It's not dropping him in the manner inferred by the wording of your post. Not for me anyway. I think Bridge, Noor and Wes are all a little off form - and I think this will help. The other lads deserve a go from the start and these boys make up a strong bench alongside Dackers and JD.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

Kev is very loyal to these players who have seen us through the difficulties and will probably choose the same side that started at Chesterfield.However I wonder if Morton starts instead of Wes who hardly ever lasts the whole 90 mins

 

[shrimpled]

Not 'drop', rest. The implications are very different. I want to get Bridgey back on top form ASAP and personally I think coming off the bench in the second half with defenders tiring will help him be more direct and effective, and therefore spark a bit better form from him.

It's not dropping him in the manner inferred by the wording of your post. Not for me anyway. I think Bridge, Noor and Wes are all a little off form - and I think this will help. The other lads deserve a go from the start and these boys make up a strong bench alongside Dackers and JD.

But we've only had one game in 3 weeks, he doesn't need a rest.

However people want to put it, it's dropping him.

We lost at the leaders last time out. The game before we were excellent and Bridge scored the only goal. I think he's our most creative player, in pretty good form and I just cannot see the reasoning, personally.

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

Colin

Gus Taylor Kensdale Ralph bridge

Miley
Husin Wes

Cards (or Dackers) Waldron

We don't need a massive change but I don't think Cards and Dackers work well together, would like to see Waldron alongside him or Dackers

 

[Jai]

This lot are a good side. One of the reasons our home record has been so good this season is that we have been able to pin teams back in their own half, yet still break them down with a bit of quality. Bridge and Wes are key to that. They manage to work space in the tightest of places, vital when teams are coming to you to frustrate.

Of course every team tries to nullify that side by putting two or three men out there, meaning they cannot get out of their own half.

Don't get me wrong, I think at some point we'll want to rest Bridge and try something else as we can be one dimensional at times. I just don't think this particular game is the one to start experimenting.

 

[Clarky176]

The urge to change things after a defeat is understandable, but we don’t need to reinvent the wheel after a 3-0 defeat to the runaway league leaders. Before that we’d won 2 on the spin conceding 0 goals. Same team, maybe swap Dackers for Waldron but Kev will know who is more likely to be effective at what stage in the game.

FWIW on Fonguck, I think going forward we’d need another player in that role, particularly someone who doesn’t slow the game down as much as he does if we’re going to challenge for the league next year. But for now, he’s still probably the best option in that role (Morton likes to sit deep, he may struggle being further forward at least at first).

 

[* ORM *]

Great the sooner Waldron is thrown in the sooner we can moan for him not scoring dozens of goals. Dackers just needs one to bounce in off his arse. The newbies time will come, no need for panic yet.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

But we've only had one game in 3 weeks, he doesn't need a rest.

However people want to put it, it's dropping him.

We lost at the leaders last time out. The game before we were excellent and Bridge scored the only goal. I think he's our most creative player, in pretty good form and I just cannot see the reasoning, personally.

It’s not about being physically tired (unless he’s carrying a knock). I think he’s looking leggy but actually he needs a mental boost.

He’s overdoing the trickery, at the expense of getting quality balls in the box early, as a result of a loss of form/effectiveness sparked by Cardwell and Powell being out of the team with the consequent impact on our high press. Without that press he’s had to work a lot harder to get, keep and use the ball in the final third.

He might also be a bit weary in part due to the heroic shift he’s put in while we had severe squad restrictions. IMO he would be helped by disrupting the routine/rut he’s in - mixing up his match participation to help him get out on the pitch with maximum energy and a tiring defence.

I think - and everyone is free to disagree - that he will make a bigger impact from the bench on Saturday than he would if we start him. It’s just a feeling though and I may be miles off.

 

[mark387]

But we've only had one game in 3 weeks, he doesn't need a rest.

However people want to put it, it's dropping him.

We lost at the leaders last time out. The game before we were excellent and Bridge scored the only goal. I think he's our most creative player, in pretty good form and I just cannot see the reasoning, personally.

It's not dropping him, it's giving the oppo something else they are not expecting. Tactics need to change when they are getting stale and predictable. Teams are now doubling up on our left hand side because that is 99% of where we play out our attacks and everyone looks for Bridge. Not starting is not the same as dropping. If we change up what we are doing they will not expect it or be ready for it when we switch back which will give Bridge back the freedom to destroy them

 

[shrimpled]

Thanks both @Spaceman Spiff and @mark387 for thoughtful replies. I do still disagree - he would be one of the first names on my teamsheet but it’s a game of opinions and you make fair arguments.

FWIW, I think Kev will start him on Saturday.

 

[Fairport]

The dilemma we have is that there is no shortage of skill in the current squad, for example Fonguck, Husin and Dackers are decent footballers but they offer very little goal threat. Contrast that with Chesterfield, their finishing was so much better. If we could find places for Waldron, Coker, Wood and Crowther I am sure our goals for column would improve.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

It's not dropping him, it's giving the oppo something else they are not expecting. Tactics need to change when they are getting stale and predictable. Teams are now doubling up on our left hand side because that is 99% of where we play out our attacks and everyone looks for Bridge. Not starting is not the same as dropping. If we change up what we are doing they will not expect it or be ready for it when we switch back which will give Bridge back the freedom to destroy them

Teams have been doubling up on Bridge for two years and he has still been delivering amazing numbers. We can't let last Saturday's game become a yardstick of how we are analysing our players.

Bridge and Wes were less effective for one simple reason, Ralph didn't join the attacks. They all work in tandem when we are at our best. We weren't allowed to be at our best because Ralph was pushed back by the best team in the league. That hasn't, and will not happen all the time.

Every single opposing coach will go into training telling their players to target Bridge, it's no secret he is our main threat. However, we are at NL level and when a player is told to do something, it's actually hard for them to follow that instruction for 90 mins. Chesterfield happen to be a top drawer side and could carry out the message, most can't and haven't.

We don't need to panic and start changing things that have worked. Our biggest problem before, was not scoring. We now have Cardwell back and Waldron signed up. Let's play the same way that created lots of chances previously and hope the goals start to fly in from those potent players.

 

[WestyReturns]

I just don't understand this clamour to drop Bridge.

I agree. Not just that but some are suggesting putting Ralph at wing back.

 

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Can't see Waldron starting quite yet. Would imagine he'll be on the bench for the next few weeks, being introduced earlier and earlier before getting a start. Morton in for Wes - same as before everywhere else.

 

[Leeboy]

Wes is such an enigma - one week he's unplayable, the next he's blowing after 20 minutes and is asking for a first touch for Christmas.

 

[duncan bulgaria]

Out of interest if you want Bridge to be whipping first time balls into the box then why has he not been tried out on the right , granted GSM is a great player but in away games where we need to defend a bit more then Kev can and should perhaps change formation and make us more of a 4 at the back .

One very small criticism i may have of us this season, is every scout must know how we line up and that we gravitate down the left flank to build our attacks .
Not wholesale changes but an ability to be a bit more flexible with our formation ....granted you can argue we haven;t had the numbers to be able to execute this but we have now

 

[bazzashrimper]

Wes is such an enigma - one week he's unplayable, the next he's blowing after 20 minutes and is asking for a first touch for Christmas.

Good player and great movement / can beat a man when dribbling at them, but his decision making / final ball is too often wanting for me.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

Wes is such an enigma - one week he's unplayable, the next he's blowing after 20 minutes and is asking for a first touch for Christmas.

You're kidding, surely.
Wes 'unplayable'? Name me the game, please? And I don't mean that in a challenging way.
Have seen most matches 23/24 either online or in the flesh, and I'm happy to agree he links up well enough. But its total impact?
More often than not he's berating himself for a shot on its way to Southend Victoria. He can't tackle; his control is iffy, and he even admitted himself in a recent Echo article he needs to be more effective.
I really don't get this idea he's integral to the team - and nor does Kev.
According to Soccerway, he's made 24 NL starts and been subbed 15 times.
I'm sure he's a nice bloke; one you could share a beer with, but we need something a bit more telling in his role.

 

[Holy Joe]

You're kidding, surely.
Wes 'unplayable'? Name me the game, please? And I don't mean that in a challenging way.
Have seen most matches 23/24 either online or in the flesh, and I'm happy to agree he links up well enough. But its total impact?
More often than not he's berating himself for a shot on its way to Southend Victoria. He can't tackle; his control is iffy, and he even admitted himself in a recent Echo article he needs to be more effective.
I really don't get this idea he's integral to the team - and nor does Kev.
According to Soccerway, he's made 24 NL starts and been subbed 15 times.
I'm sure he's a nice bloke; one you could share a beer with, but we need something a bit more telling in his role.

I think Maidenhead found him unplayable. Double nutmeg and a cool finish - goal D I think it is

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