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

[overseas shrimper]

It was a solid enough knock that’s for sure. He was feeling it for days after the game - from the horse’s mouth so to speak as we bumped into him at Kev’s testimonial.

I wonder if Kev’s starting line-up may actually disappoint as it possibly won’t be what many might see as our 11 “best players”.

Kev’s always been bigger than that and I’m grateful for it. All that matters now is the end game and if that means a turgid, possession based bore-fest for the first 60-70 minutes before we bring on pace to terrorise tiring limbs, I am all for it.

If what you're saying is that it's the result that matters (and I think you are), then I'm with you.

 

[Chrisb]

It was a solid enough knock that’s for sure. He was feeling it for days after the game - from the horse’s mouth so to speak as we bumped into him at Kev’s testimonial.

I wonder if Kev’s starting line-up may actually disappoint as it possibly won’t be what many might see as our 11 “best players”.

Kev’s always been bigger than that and I’m grateful for it. All that matters now is the end game and if that means a turgid, possession based bore-fest for the first 60-70 minutes before we bring on pace to terrorise tiring limbs, I am all for it.

In Kev we must trust.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

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

KAF never tires

 

[CaptainSmudger]

 

[Callum]

Promotion party in Southend when we get promoted safe travels everyone and enjoy the game Sunday up the blues

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Like others, can’t call it ….just hoping, praying for a win
Come on you Shrimpers.

 

[RHB]

KAF never tires

 

[RHB]

Wagyu burgers duly bought together with tiger burger rolls that don't disintegrate after your first bite. Decent bottle of Sauvignon Blanc in the fridge and an even more decent NZ Pinot Noir ready and waiting. Obviously various Italian beers are also chilling. I reckon we could nearly be prepared, just got to get the puppy to sod off and be quiet for 2 hours.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Wagyu burgers duly bought together with tiger burger rolls that don't disintegrate after your first bite. Decent bottle of Sauvignon Blanc in the fridge and an even more decent NZ Pinot Noir ready and waiting. Obviously various Italian beers are also chilling. I reckon we could nearly be prepared, just got to get the puppy to sod off and be quiet for 2 hours.

Yeah whatever. Fancy letting your club down when others are coming in from all corners of the world to make the effort, the shame

 

[RHB]

Yeah whatever. Fancy letting your club down when others are coming in from all corners of the world to make the effort, the shame

I'll live with it

 

[fredheim_holm]

As others have mentioned, I wouldn't only prioritise the starting 11, but the game as a whole.

I'd be tempted to start Walker to pin them back or have an outlet on the counter, with Kendall off the bench. Otherwise if we've got Walker and Bonne on the bench then that's a similar profile, would rather start one and have Bonne attack tired legs.

Also think Cav starting may make more sense than Oli and give him a bit more breathing room off the bench.

Hayes
Taylor Goodliffe Ralph
GSM Noor Cav KAF Bridge
Walker Hopper
​

Then finish with something like:

Hayes
Taylor Gubbins Ralph
GSM Coker Cav KAF LCP
Kendall Bonne​

 

[Scapegoat]

Hello Shrimpers...

I think its very hard to predict important games like this - it often comes down to how a team handles the occasion.

We expect only 2 of the starting 11 that faced you at home to start - Hobson has been dropped in favour of our first choice defence unit now being back fit - and we are playing a more controlled, aggressive and attacking style of play than we were back then.

Most (if not all) Oldham fans would not have predicted the team and form we have now after the penultimate league game of the season where we limply lost to FGR. At that time were were in really average form (18th in the form table in 2025 I think) and a seemingly random selection of starting 11s showing no sign of a view on what constitutes our best side.

After further changes, we then played a good entertaining last home game of the season running out comfortable 2-0 winners (and should've been more)...but we were only playing Ebbsfleet so not exactly something get excited about.

However something changed - we had to bring Pitchard in to replace the injured Caprice, Yoganathan in the middle of the pitch seemingly has found his confidence as a player (only 19 and inches first season), Garner back fully fit up top. Evans (a really creative and massively experience midfielder) got minutes on the pitch as well.

Against Halifax MM made some bold choices - Manny Monthe back into the defence after a long lay-off; dropped club captain Conlon and started with Evans; started with a front 2 (Garner and Fondop); Pitchard as a win-back etc. and it just seemed to work. And for the first time I can remember we then started with the same team and approach in the next game (against York) and it worked again.

We are unrecognisable from the team that played between Christmas and April - and we all hope that the transformation can carry on for one more game. Confidence can be infectious....

We will see - Southend have also got confidence. Snatching a PO berth on the last two games of the season; and then two come-back performances in the the QF/SFs......will be an interesting game.

May the best team on the day win, may the referee have no mistakes...

Yours in sport

 

[Swiss Tony]

Hello Shrimpers...

I think its very hard to predict important games like this - it often comes down to how a team handles the occasion.

We expect only 2 of the starting 11 that faced you at home to start - Hobson has been dropped in favour of our first choice defence unit now being back fit - and we are playing a more controlled, aggressive and attacking style of play than we were back then.

Most (if not all) Oldham fans would not have predicted the team and form we have now after the penultimate league game of the season where we limply lost to FGR. At that time were were in really average form (18th in the form table in 2025 I think) and a seemingly random selection of starting 11s showing no sign of a view on what constitutes our best side.

After further changes, we then played a good entertaining last home game of the season running out comfortable 2-0 winners (and should've been more)...but we were only playing Ebbsfleet so not exactly something get excited about.

However something changed - we had to bring Pitchard in to replace the injured Caprice, Yoganathan in the middle of the pitch seemingly has found his confidence as a player (only 19 and inches first season), Garner back fully fit up top. Evans (a really creative and massively experience midfielder) got minutes on the pitch as well.

Against Halifax MM made some bold choices - Manny Monthe back into the defence after a long lay-off; dropped club captain Conlon and started with Evans; started with a front 2 (Garner and Fondop); Pitchard as a win-back etc. and it just seemed to work. And for the first time I can remember we then started with the same team and approach in the next game (against York) and it worked again.

We are unrecognisable from the team that played between Christmas and April - and we all hope that the transformation can carry on for one more game. Confidence can be infectious....

We will see - Southend have also got confidence. Snatching a PO berth on the last two games of the season; and then two come-back performances in the the QF/SFs......will be an interesting game.

May the best team on the day win, may the referee have no mistakes...

Yours in sport

May the best team win indeed,it’s just the may everyone get a seat I’m not to sure of.

 

[Beefy]

I absolutely thought that too and happy to eat humble pie but also thought 'not Walker'

Walker is a good penalty taker usually. He was taking them instead of Jack Bridge in preseason.

 

[amsemp]

At least we can look forward to another cup final next season against the mighty Carlisle if we don’t go up.



What an absolute helmet I can assure you Mark, absolutely nobody gives a toss about you or Carlisle. They’re in for a nasty shock if that’s their attitude to the standard of the NL!

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

At least we can look forward to another cup final next season against the mighty Carlisle if we don’t go up.

View attachment 37027

What an absolute helmet I can assure you Mark, absolutely nobody gives a toss about you or Carlisle. They’re in for a nasty shock if that’s their attitude to the standard of the NL!

By cup final presumably he means another game where it is unfeasibly difficult to get tickets to a half filled stadium?

 

[Scapegoat]

Mark Hughes was the first person to break my heart - will never forgive him for the 94 FAC semi-final equaliser and having to sit on tubes/trains all the way back to Oldham having Man Utd fans chance his name in my face.

If you do go up, I will need to rest my voice ahead of our next 'cup final' as I will need to boo for 90 minutes

 

[Target man]

Mark Hughes was the first person to break my heart - will never forgive him for the 94 FAC semi-final equaliser and having to sit on tubes/trains all the way back to Oldham having Man Utd fans chance his name in my face.

If you do go up, I will need to rest my voice ahead of our next 'cup final' as I will need to boo for 90 minutes

I was at that game ...... remember it well!

 

[Evening Echo]

BEN Goodliffe will again be putting Essex rivalries to one side when he lines up for Southend United at Wembley this weekend.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[Barnet Bee]

I'm still trying to catch up on all the other threads, venting my anger at the Suits for ruining this great occasion. Well, here we are, and what's a Day Tripper? I noticed Freddy Eastwood has been rested thus far during the Play Offs, will he be available for the Final?