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

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Starting XI and Result

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amsemp said:
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!
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They’re in for the same rude awakening we got in 2021 with that chip on your shoulder.
 
Barnet Bee said:
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?
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Only as a sub for when Matt Lockwood tires
 
The Oldham forum is pretty confident that the game is theirs to lose, provided they turn up. They also think that player for player they have the better team. Oh, and the bookies make them favourites as well. That may be the case, but maybe, just maybe they will underestimate our ability to never give up. We shall see. If all else fails we can fall back on @The Original Tribal Chief offering a few words of discouragement, in person, to the Oldham team, that ought to do it :Winking:
 
RHB said:
The Oldham forum is pretty confident that the game is theirs to lose, provided they turn up. They also think that player for player they have the better team. Oh, and the bookies make them favourites as well. That may be the case, but maybe, just maybe they will underestimate our ability to never give up. We shall see. If all else fails we can fall back on @The Original Tribal Chief offering a few words of discouragement, in person, to the Oldham team, that ought to do it :Winking:
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There is a fair amount of confidence on our forum - some of it I can understand, but I also think that this game is really close and any result wouldn't surprise me.

Reasons we are confident:

(1) The performances in the last two PO games - we have managed to get through both games without difficulty and produced the best two performances of the season in the process
(2) Our recruitment strategy has been to bring in older, very experienced players, that have experience of big games (bigger than a NL PO final). The belief is that this is the type of game we signed them for.
(3) We have had lots of squad issues this season (departures, injuries etc) - our manager claims he has had to build 3 teams this season - but we now have our best 15 players all fit and available for the first time since December.
(4) We have a manger with big game experience at this level.
(5) Football fans are always optimistic - and the feel-good factor of making the POs for the first time in 18 years, then winning a tie in the POs for the first time ever is making us all a bit giddy.

Reasons to be concerned:

(1) The confidence and 'feel-good' factor that you will have - grabbing 7th at the death, 2 amazing come-back wins in the POs - and in football (as in life in general) confidence is often everything.
(2) A bit like ourselves - your form has fluctuated over the season. You started badly, had a great period just after the halfway period, and whilst form tailed off a little in the final run in it was still decent. If you turn up and play your A game then you will be very hard to stop.
(3) You have some good players, a manager that is Southend through and through, and like ourselves a large (even larger to be fair) fanbase that is 100% behind the team and club for the first time in ages.
(4) We are Oldham. The least successful football team in the English Football Pyramid (lots of stats to back this up) - and whilst its 34 years since we won promotion, we have one promotion in the last 50 years!
 
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Hoping for promotion - Southend United legend Freddy Eastwood (Image: NICKY HAYES)

By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.

FREDDY Eastwood believes promotion for Southend United this season would come close to rivalling any achievement in the club’s history.

Blues take on Oldham Athletic at Wembley in the National League play-off final on Sunday - little more than a year since nearly going out of business.

And Eastwood is confident the Shrimpers can secure a return to the EFL.

“I really do think Kev (Maher) and the boys will do it,” said Eastwood.

“They’re in good form and got good results going into the final so I think they’ve got a real chance.

“Winning promotion after everything we’ve been through would be a big achievement.

“I’m going to be biased and say beating Man United would still be top because I scored.

“But it would be brilliant to see the club back in the Football League again.”

Eastwood was among the goalscorers when the Shrimpers won the 2005 League Two play-off final 2-0 against Lincoln City at the Millennium Stadium.

And he expects Sunday’s clash to be another closely fought encounter.

“I remember being quite nervous for that game but I never minded being nervous because it keeps you on your toes,” said Eastwood.

“I’m sure the players will be nervous for Sunday and play-off finals are normally quite close.

“But I messaged Kev after the semi-final win to say well done and to wish the boys well.

“I really hope we can do it now and get promotion.”

However, Eastwood is not yet sure if he will be watching at Wembley.

“My dad goes to a lot of the games still and he’s going Sunday along with some of my family,” said Eastwood.

“I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to go just yet but I’m not sure I’d get a ticket anyway after hearing about what’s gone on.

“I’ll certainly be watching one way or another and really hope it’s a memorable day for Southend.”
 
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