Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Oldham Athletic, Saturday 5th August, 15:00ko, NL, All Ticket no pay on the day

[Spaceman Spiff]

Not really sure why people think we’ll get absolutely battered?

I get the lack of squad, but IF we get no injuries on the day then that first 11 is a competitive side.

We might slip to a loss but doubt they’ll be ripping through us at will?

Absolutely. We are a bit undercooked in preseason and the pitch could be a factor (worryingly from an injury perspective - thinking Cardwell here especially) but our first XI even now is mid table quality at least IMO.

 

[Sparte]

The pitch and weather will play a part, November conditions in August! I think Kev and the team will be up for this one, a pressure release from all of the uncertainty… 2-1 home win, COYB!

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

Irrespective of our lack if pre season preparation Kev has a settled side and should compete but as last season we struggle to score goals which unfortunately couldn't be addressed and that will be our undoing again until he can add to the squad

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Irrespective of our lack if pre season preparation Kev has a settled side and should compete but as last season we struggle to score goals which unfortunately couldn't be addressed and that will be our undoing again until he can add to the squad

I think this could be a key factor - it's about the only benefit of the embargo really that because Kev has been unable to add to his squad for nearly 11 months, the players who will start tomorrow (barring any 11th hour surprise signings) will all be settled in the area, settled at the club, know their team-mates strengths and weaknesses and their own role in the team. Only Harry Taylor is likely to be playing in a position any different to what they played for pretty much the whole of last season.

It will probably be the following team tomorrow:

Andeng-Ndi

Taylor Kensdale Ralph

Scott-Morris Miley Husin Fonguck Bridge

Powell Cardwell

Subs: Wood, Mooney, Coker, ????, ????​

That's not a bad starting XI at all and one which got us to the brink of the play-offs last season. OK so there's absolutely no strength in depth and if we get an injury then we're stuffed!

I was at the away game at Oldham towards the end of last season. The result was a 2-0 defeat but we completely played them off the park until the goal they scored towards the end of the first half completely against the run of play (and through self-inflicted kamikaze defending and goalkeeping!). Have a look at the highlights and see who has the most chances:

OK, so they will have strengthened since then but new signings take a while to bed in so let's hope we give it a real good go tomorrow.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Interesting that spending seems to be the order of the day to get out of this league now. Stockport, Wrexham and Notts County have all done it. Now Chesterfield and Oldham are trying. Yes there is the lottery of the playoffs, but you have to spend to take that top spot now.

Our biggest problem last season was scoring goals and looking at our current 11, you'd say the same. Chesterfield have Grigg and Oldham have Norwood. You have to score goals to do well in this league. Hopefully if there is something positive with the takeover, we can address that.

In the meantime, we just have to remain behind the team and not have too many expectations. Utb!

The other one who is doing it is Scunthorpe. And they’re doing it from NLN!

 

[Boreham Blue]

I think this could be a key factor - it's about the only benefit of the embargo really that because Kev has been unable to add to his squad for nearly 11 months, the players who will start tomorrow (barring any 11th hour surprise signings) will all be settled in the area, settled at the club, know their team-mates strengths and weaknesses and their own role in the team. Only Harry Taylor is likely to be playing in a position any different to what they played for pretty much the whole of last season.

It will probably be the following team tomorrow:

Andeng-Ndi

Taylor Kensdale Ralph

Scott-Morris Miley Husin Fonguck Bridge

Powell Cardwell

Subs: Wood, Mooney, Coker, ????, ????​

That's not a bad starting XI at all and one which got us to the brink of the play-offs last season. OK so there's absolutely no strength in depth and if we get an injury then we're stuffed!

I was at the away game at Oldham towards the end of last season. The result was a 2-0 defeat but we completely played them off the park until the goal they scored towards the end of the first half completely against the run of play (and through self-inflicted kamikaze defending and goalkeeping!). Have a look at the highlights and see who has the most chances:

OK, so they will have strengthened since then but new signings take a while to bed in so let's hope we give it a real good go tomorrow.

Would you go for Powell over Wood bearing in mind pre-season goal form?

 

[Anniemay7]

I think this could be a key factor - it's about the only benefit of the embargo really that because Kev has been unable to add to his squad for nearly 11 months, the players who will start tomorrow (barring any 11th hour surprise signings) will all be settled in the area, settled at the club, know their team-mates strengths and weaknesses and their own role in the team. Only Harry Taylor is likely to be playing in a position any different to what they played for pretty much the whole of last season.

It will probably be the following team tomorrow:

Andeng-Ndi

Taylor Kensdale Ralph

Scott-Morris Miley Husin Fonguck Bridge

Powell Cardwell

Subs: Wood, Mooney, Coker, ????, ????​

That's not a bad starting XI at all and one which got us to the brink of the play-offs last season. OK so there's absolutely no strength in depth and if we get an injury then we're stuffed!

I was at the away game at Oldham towards the end of last season. The result was a 2-0 defeat but we completely played them off the park until the goal they scored towards the end of the first half completely against the run of play (and through self-inflicted kamikaze defending and goalkeeping!). Have a look at the highlights and see who has the most chances:

OK, so they will have strengthened since then but new signings take a while to bed in so let's hope we give it a real good go tomorrow.

We have

 

[rlb999]

A bit of good news - my mate who is an Oldham fan thinks they have a problem at right back. Hopefully Jack Bridge can capitalise.

 

[Target man]

Not before Bridge tears’s them apart.

We've got to get the ball to Bridgey ...... Hobbos diagonal to him will be a huge loss to us.

 

[rlb999]

We've got to get the ball to Bridgey ...... Hobbos diagonal to him will be a huge loss to us.

Surely Taylor has a diagonal in him?

 

[Fairport]

Surely due to our lack of goals Kev will select Wood to play as an attacking midfielder leaving out either Fonguck or Husin. Wood is just the type of midfielder we have been crying out for.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Surely due to our lack of goals Kev will select Wood to play as an attacking midfielder leaving out either Fonguck or Husin. Wood is just the type of midfielder we have been crying out for.

I think his goals have been scored as a forward rather than as an attacking midfielder. If you want him for his goal potential he should be replacing Powell not Fonguck or Husin.

 

[LBBlue]

A bit of good news - my mate who is an Oldham fan thinks they have a problem at right back. Hopefully Jack Bridge can capitalise.

Is that Shaun Hobson?

 

[sammy666]

Surely Taylor has a diagonal in him?

Sounds painful

 

[dusterman]

Surely due to our lack of goals Kev will select Wood to play as an attacking midfielder leaving out either Fonguck or Husin. Wood is just the type of midfielder we have been crying out for.

Wood has to start IMO due to his form in a limited pre season. What message does it send to him if he doesn’t?

 

[Ritchierich]

Is that Shaun Hobson?

Our problem at right back is that we don’t have one we played our young central defender out of position last season and he did well enough but could be exposed at times…we are supposedly in for someone and should sign him next week but you will potentially have some joy down that side…don’t tell the other Latics fans that I told you though, it’s our secret

Anyway you’ll be too busy trying to stop our 5 strikers scoring hopefully including James Norwood who we are all getting giddy about

 

[Petejames]

Our problem at right back is that we don’t have one we played our young central defender out of position last season and he did well enough but could be exposed at times…we are supposedly in for someone and should sign him next week but you will potentially have some joy down that side…don’t tell the other Latics fans that I told you though, it’s our secret

Anyway you’ll be too busy trying to stop our 5 strikers scoring hopefully including James Norwood who we are all getting giddy about

Don’t underestimate our starting 11…. Yes we have a small squad.. but our 11 are still decent

 

[Jai]

Our problem at right back is that we don’t have one we played our young central defender out of position last season and he did well enough but could be exposed at times…we are supposedly in for someone and should sign him next week but you will potentially have some joy down that side…don’t tell the other Latics fans that I told you though, it’s our secret

Anyway you’ll be too busy trying to stop our 5 strikers scoring hopefully including James Norwood who we are all getting giddy about

Your midfield needs to have significantly improved since April or you will struggle to get the ball to Norwood. That 2-0 defeat was an absolute travesty!

I actually expect it to be a close game, the problem for us is if things need changing or we get injuries, we have real issues.

 

[Smiffy]

Your midfield needs to have significantly improved since April or you will struggle to get the ball to Norwood. That 2-0 defeat was an absolute travesty!

I actually expect it to be a close game, the problem for us is if things need changing or we get injuries, we have real issues.

This is what concerns me. If I was the Oldham gaffer I'd be on the strikers to stick one on Collin early doors...then we are in big trouble.

 

[ShrimperStats]

I think his goals have been scored as a forward rather than as an attacking midfielder. If you want him for his goal potential he should be replacing Powell not Fonguck or Husin.

There’s also the issue that if we use Wood as a midfielder we’d have to use him in our midfield three when we’re defending in a 5-3-2. I don’t think this gets the best out of him, so it’s better to use him as a striker. Same goes for Mooney.