Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Sittingbourne Town, Saturday 1st February, 15:00 k.o., FA Trophy (5r)

[Shrimpergonzo]

After the Tuesday night victory against Fylde, we return to Roots Hall for the game against Sittingbourne Town in the last 16 of the FA Trophy.

Surprisingly we have played them twice before - although you have to go back a long way as it was over 100 years ago in the 1922-23 season in the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup. We drew 0-0 at their place but won 4-2 back at the Kursaal with a brace by Jackie Slater, a penalty from Jimmy Evans and another goal by Robert Firth sealing the win. Maybe some of our older Zoners were at the game?!!!

The Brickies are absolutely flying this season and are currently 27 games undefeated in all competitions, with only one defeat all season in the league and winning all 14 of their home games (only team in the top 8 divisions to have this 100% record!).

Their last defeat in all competitions was in the FA Cup on 28th September. They have six players who are on double figures for goals this season, have scored the most goals in the top 8 divisions and currently sit second in the Isthmian League South East Division (Step 4 of non league, so 3 levels below us).

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They are managed by Northern Irishman Ryan Maxwell who previously spent 18-months as gaffer at Braintree Town when they were in National League South. His playing career started in the youth team at Chelsea and then saw him travel to a couple of Scottish League teams before playing, it seems, for pretty much every lower non-league team in the South East of England! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Maxwell

This little YouTube video gives an interesting insight into the club.

They are no mugs and must not be underestimated!

Kev has opted for a 3-4-3 formation for the last couple of games and both ended in 2-0 victories so it seems possible that he'll stick with this formation.

In previous rounds of this competition he has opted to switch the personnel around and so it is possible that George Wind and Keenan Appiah-Forson will start the game, as they have before. Tom Hopper played the second half on Tuesday after Macauley Bonne had to go off sick at half time, so this switch is possible from the start on Saturday. Ben Goodliffe must also be pressing for a start so I wouldn't be surprised to see him switched in - possibly for Jack Bridge with Ralph switching to wing back. New signing Leon Chambers-Parillon played for Slough Town in the previous round so presumably is cup-tied for this competition.

So who would you choose to start in our opportunity to get to the quarter finals? And what do you think the result will be after 90 minutes (remember that it could go straight to penalties after this).

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

My guess is Kev goes

………………..Harness
…… Goodliffe Golding Gubbins
Wind …… KAF…… Coker ….. Ralph
……. Waldron Hopper Walker

 

[CanveyKarl]

Strongest team please. Were far enough in to this comp that we may as well try to win it

 

[Uncle_Rons_Teapot]

Need to start the strongest team possible here otherwise I can see us getting dicked over

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Harness
Golding - Goodliffe - Ralph
Wind - Coker - Morton - Bridge
Bonne - Hopper - Walker

I’d give a few a rest (Taylor/Husin/Gus) and go full throttle for the first 30. Bonne could be Kendall/Waldron but I think with that front 3 that’s a lot of experience and knowhow .. options on the bench too if it doesn’t go so well.

 

[Barling Magna]

Their confidence must be sky high. This could be a banana skin...

 

[Tommy2holes]

We will have to be very professional to get a result.

Fitness will play a part, keep moving the ball at pace and wear them out.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

Unlikely Kev will make many changes,he will want to progress to the next round.
Make no mistake Sittingbourne will be up for this backed by a decent following of nearly 4 times there usual support in front a massive crowd by there standards.There confidence will be sky high on a huge winning streak.This has the potential of a huge banana skin for us if we dont give them respect and dont take it seriously.
I expect we should beat them as fitness will be crucial just want it done in normal time dont want the lottery of penalties.

 

[stewart]

Harness
Taylor---Goodliffe----Golding
GSM---Coker---Morton----Ralph
Kendall---Hopper---Walker
Subs Bonne (if fit, ) Wind, Kaf, Waldron, Husin.
not sure how many subs allowed in this comp. If more than 5 Miley Bridge,Brown.

 

[leeblue]

i would like to see Wind start.

 

[Barry.C]

Harness
Taylor---Goodliffe----Golding
GSM---Coker---Morton----Ralph
Kendall---Hopper---Walker
Subs Bonne (if fit, ) Wind, Kaf, Waldron, Husin.
not sure how many subs allowed in this comp. If more than 5 Miley Bridge,Brown.

Quite like that team with the experience of Hopper Goodliffe ,Ralph and Taylor, assuming Bonne unfit

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

Suggest fire with fire.
They'll come out of the traps like greyhound rabbits.
We must do the same.
Were we to take a lead it will silence 800 travellers, and allow us to take command.
And if we make the right changes as part-timers feel it in the second half, we can do the pro job and take the tie.

 

[SUFCGoals]

With the next game being Maidenhead on the 8th, I'd be keen to see our strongest line up, although would be nice to see some fringe players get game time. I'd go for:

Harness

Goodliffe Golding Ralph

Wind Morton Husin Bridge

Kendall Bonne (if fit) Walker

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Think we should be able to win this one.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Think we should be able to win this one.

Like we have done in 7 out of our last 10 matches.

 

[greyerfox]

I think Kev will want to give game time to Tom H and Ben G and I would expect them both to start. Plenty of options to partner Tom in a 3 pronged attack force. Could also see Wind and KAF getting lots of game time though not from the off in the case of the latter.
Really keen to see what Ben Goodliffe has to offer. I think there must be a good chance that he will join on a permanent basis in the summer. He may be in the mould of a Sonny Bradley type figure, a dominating CB who we were interested in some time ago and who is still plying his trade in the upper echelons of the EFL I believe.
To get over this potential banana skin would see us ever closer to a return to the hallowed turf. Now that would be a mouthwatering prospect.
COYB

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

I think we need to be careful here so I am suggesting we keep a strong defence & do not go for all out attack.

Harness

Wind, Taylor, Golding, Ralph

Coker, Morton

Kendall, Hopper, Bonne, Waldron

----------------------------------

Hopper to play a false no. 9 of course; Kendall to play a 9.2 role with Bonne as a deep 9 and Waldron sweeping up as a continental 9.

Walker on the bench to come on as a proper 9 if required.

 

[loz]

I think we need to be careful here so I am suggesting we keep a strong defence & do not go for all out attack.

Harness

Wind, Taylor, Golding, Ralph

Morton

Kendall, Hopper, Bonne, Waldron

----------------------------------

Hopper to play a false no. 9 of course; Kendall to play a 9.2 role with Bonne as a deep 9 and Waldron sweeping up as a continental 9.

Walker on the bench to come on as a proper 9 if required.

you can have one more player if you like.

 

[loz]

Harness

Golding
Goodliffe
Gubbins

Wind
Coker
KAF
Bridge

Waldron
Hopper
Walker

I'm assuming Bonne won't start as getting over his dodgy tummy.
Kev might go for Noor or Cav instead in midfield, risk of Coker and KAF being overrun
I like the alliteration in the back line.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

Whatever the lineup, I feel that Kendall has to play. He needs to break his duck for us, particularly at home.

I don't think there will be a lot of change elsewhere, as there wasn't against Brentwood.

I know many have spoken about their form, and it has to be respected, but we should really be controlling this match and winning. As long as we approach it correctly, that should happen. If we are totally honest, the teams are miles apart. We played in 2nd gear against Brentwood and scored a hat full of goals in really tricky conditions. At home, we should really be coming out comfortable winners and I'll be extremely disappointed if we don't.