Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Oldham Athletic, Sunday 1st June, 15:00 ko, National League play-off final @Wembley Stadium

[Pak Power]

Reckon Gus is the cheekiest looking player ever to grace the Wembley pitch

Looks like a 1970’s porn star

 

[amsemp]

Reckon Gus is the cheekiest looking player ever to grace the Wembley pitch

You just know he was permanently in trouble at school

 

[kentblues]

Oldham play 352- be surprised if we didn’t match up particularly as it’s our more usual formation as well.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

Wembley is aways a big pitch to play on and I guess Kevs selection will consider this when he picks the team.Its a massive event not only for us supporters also the players.Some of which must relish olaying in such a magnificent arena

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

On the basis that I voted for us to lose at Rochdale & FGR I've voted for us to lose again on Sunday (but obviously hope we'll win).

 

[* ORM *]

Has this been posted somewhere else?

 

[WillMay333]

I would 100% let Bridge start, leave Cav and Leon to come off the bench and finish the game strong. We have shown time and again we are never out of the game. Think this is a deep waters game, take them to the 70th/80th and try press them into high heavens

 

[Simon Templar]

I also have a big hunch for Bonne. It would be so 'football eh? blo*dy hell', if a player with is pedigree, after enduring such a torrid start with us, clinched the game with a last-ditch winner.

With the season Gus has had, don’t be surprised if it’s our leading goal scorer this season that bangs home the winner!

 

[lreed567]

Absolutely can not wait for this, I think Kev may go back to the team that started against the Rochdale, but then again I have now told myself to completely trust Kev and the team he select is, I will admit I have been critical at times this season, and have been proved wrong.

In terms of the match I feel will be a close game, there's not much in the teams at all and both pretty evenly matched, we are both going into the game in good form and full of confidence.

 

[dannypav]

I think the biggest concerns for whoever loses are (a) the psychological effect of getting so close and (b) much less of a break than all those teams who missed the playoffs or got promoted and/or relegated

 

[leeblue]

I think the biggest concerns for whoever loses are (a) the psychological effect of getting so close and (b) much less of a break than all those teams who missed the playoffs or got promoted and/or relegated

I think this whole play off thing for us has been a bonus tbh. I know I was expecting a reset/rebuild year, actually have a decent pre season/transfer window and have a real go next season. That plan for 2025/26 is still in play if we don't win on Sunday. We have the leadership to not get too down and have a hangover IMO.

 

[Beefy]

I want Leon starting. I think he could be an absolute menace on that big pitch running at defenders.

Similarly I wonder if this is a game for Walker's pace up front

 

[thenobster]

A big pitch, i just hope that KAF doesn't run himself out of the game

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I want Leon starting. I think he could be an absolute menace on that big pitch running at defenders.

Similarly I wonder if this is a game for Walker's pace up front

I really want some pace off the bench for this one. The size of the pitch, the occasion and maybe the weather (although it now looks like Saturday’s heat might not carry over) will all tire players and pace will be that much more effective after an hour than from the start.

When the game opens up you’re really going to want fresh legs with pace.

 

[Leeboy]

I really want some pace off the bench for this one. The size of the pitch, the occasion and maybe the weather (although it now looks like Saturday’s heat might not carry over) will all tire players and pace will be that much more effective after an hour than from the start.

When the game opens up you’re really going to want fresh legs with pace.

agreed - LCP and Bonne off the bench for pace against tiring defenders

 

[mattytheshrimper]

Little bit concerned about Noor. In my eyes he's been playing in Morton's position since he's been injured and overall done a pretty good job. However I thought against FGR he was quite poor and gave the ball away a lot in dangerous areas. I imagine that's why Maher subbed him off for Miley who I thought came in and made a decent impact. Would be a big call, especially considering Miley's not been his usual self for some time.

 

[Shrimper]

A big pitch, i just hope that KAF doesn't run himself out of the game

The Wembley pitch is 105m x 69m compared to Roots Hall which is 100m x 67m for comparison

 

[Devon Blue]

The Wembley pitch is 105m x 69m compared to Roots Hall which is 100m x 67m for comparison

Just the extra 545m2

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

I want Leon starting. I think he could be an absolute menace on that big pitch running at defenders.

Similarly I wonder if this is a game for Walker's pace up front

I think he was subdued at FGR, and currently gives the impression of tiring easily.
If anyone needs a pre-season it's him.
Agree he should play, but not the whole match

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

I think the biggest concerns for whoever loses are (a) the psychological effect of getting so close and (b) much less of a break than all those teams who missed the playoffs or got promoted and/or relegated

Or spin it the other way, and herald a team embargoed pre-season who made the play-of final supported by the best average attendance in the NL