Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Oldham Athletic

[RHB]

Let's assume that PB is still listening to us and the starting 11 will be:

Smith​

Demetriou Thompson Ferdinand Coker

Atkinson Lenny Wordsworth McLaughlin
​

Cox Ranger​

​

We've accounted for 5620 home bums on seats so far without freebees etc, so 7k+ is very likely. This is what the latest set of Northern monkeys have to say about the game with a fair old chunk reckoning they will take home three points. To be fair there were some who fear Ranger so hopefully so will the Oldham defence, and that's without Cox going at them.

http://www.owtb.co.uk/index.php?/topic/49552-southend-match/

Can't wait for Saturday and a rocking Roots Hall crowd. COYB

 

[Jai]

The crowd will need to be patient. Despite being 18th, they've got one of the best defences in the division.

 

[MK Shrimper]

I'll be there with MK Jnr, so we definitely need a good win so she gets the bug at an early age, or she may end up supporting MK Dons....:omg:

 

[RobM]

Our last 5 home games - scored 11
Their last 5 away games - scored 3.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Our last 5 home games - scored 11
Their last 5 away games - scored 3.

11-3 should keep her entertained. Good work Rob.

 

[mattitouk]

They have the worst scoring record in the league, just 27 goals all season from 40 games. I feel if we can grab an early goal from the off & then settle into our play, they will struggle to get back into the game against our back four.

 

[AndyT]

http://www.owtb.co.uk/index.php?/topic/49552-southend-match/

Good joke in there about Lee Croft! :thumbsup:

 

[RobM]

11-3 should keep her entertained. Good work Rob.

I'll not risk my weekly £2 on that!

 

[RHB]

The last thing we should do for this one is take it for granted. If we have pretentions for a consistent play off place we have to 'own' them,

 

[rigsby]

They have the worst scoring record in the league, just 27 goals all season from 40 games. I feel if we can grab an early goal from the off & then settle into our play, they will struggle to get back into the game against our back four.

At this time of year you have to look at form not just the table. They have only lost one game in the last 10 and have picked up 17 points, the same as us.

With a draw against Sheffield last weekend they should not be underestimated as they are working real hard to escape the drop. They seemed odds on to go down when we beat them at their place so they have clearly improved. Hope our crowd get behind the lads rather than expect us to be 2-0 after 20 minutes. A win will ease the pressure against Bolton. Lets hope win can win 2 in arrow at home this time.

Chances of Ranger scoring first again ?

 

[Tommy2holes]

Fairly poor ticket sales so far. Given the last 3 results and the final four offer by the club I would have hoped for no less than 7.5-8k in every game.

 

[AndyT]

Possibly some mitigating factors :-

1) Game v Bolton on Tuesday
2) Easter holidays due soon, so people going away, maybe
3) Opposition, possibly
4) Apart from the comeback against Walsall, the last few home games haven't been great

 

[greyerfox]

I echo everything that has been said above about Latics' form. Just one defeat in the last 10 games. Only 3 teams have conceded less goals. Peter Clarke has been outstanding I hear and forms a solid defence with ex-trialist Anthony Gerrard. Clarkey has just signed a new deal for 2 more years. And their keeper, loanee Conor Ripley (son of Stuart) is earning rave reviews. It is at the other end of the pitch where Latics have their problems. A home draw with Sheffield Utd last Saturday will have Latics in good heart. Patience certainly required. In a match at the same time last season Latics won here, and then, as now, they were scrapping for every point going to avoid the drop. Our season was in freefall then and we did not have the impressive array of forwards now at PB's disposal. A close encounter then but one where three points are a must.
COYB

 

[Kevin Hogg]

Is gonna be tough...a real old scrap. 1-0 Shrimpers. .

 

[Floval Flyer]

Team picks itself, and would go for same starting lineup as against the Wombles (and as per RHBs openning gambit). I would however prefer to see a sub goalie, and get rid of Innis as he serves no purpose (unless they need a doorman in the bar). White can cover CB if needed.

I predict a win for us, but no doubt we will make hard work of it. Be nice to get an early goal to settle things down. Another 2-0 win with Cox, Ranger in the goals again.

 

[kaymac]

Nudging slowly towards the 6,000 mark, doubt many will travel down from Oldham but would still expect c. 7,000 on Sat (and a min of 8,000 for Bolton next Tuesday)

 

[mattitouk]

I hope we make the 7,000 mark come Saturday afternoon considering where we are in the league (currently standing at 5,940 home tickets sold according to Chris's clever ticket thingy).

I agree though about the Oldham support, they rarely travel in big numbers (unless they are local to them) & especially not if their opponents are down south. They a took a poor 185 to Charlton and only took 127 to Gillingham. Considering their current position, you can't blame them for not doing the distance though, but I would imagine we would be only expecting 120 -140 max in the north bank on the day.

 

[Kevin Hogg]

The danger is there could be the expectation of a win against Oldham Athletic and people are opting for the clash against a promotion rival and attractive opponents on Tuesday. If you are not a season ticket hoider - football is not cheap and two games close together....

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Do we anticipate Bolton to travel in numbers, based on a Tues night game...granted they'll bring more than Oldham ? :whistling:

 

[kaymac]

Maybe 500 odd (?) based on their last two midweek March awaydays at Gills and Oxford?