Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Tamworth, Saturday 26th October, 15:00k.o., NL

[Shrimpergonzo]

After three consecutive away games, we’re back to Roots Hall again for the game against National League new boys Tamworth. Both teams come into this game on the back of 0-0 draws during the week so let's just say I'm not expecting a goal fest!

Tamworth are currently three places and three points above us in the league and it's fair to say I think exceeding the expectations of most pundits this season after their second successive promotion led them to play at this level for the first time in over 10 years. Chris Wreh now plys his trade with The Lambs, but hasn't been involved in the match day squad for the last couple of games. Their form over the last six games is better than ours, and Andy Peak's men must be fancying their chances of turning us over.



Kev recalled top scorer Gus Scott-Morriss as the only change to our starting line up at Aldershot, but even Gussy was firing blanks as we failed to turn a dominant performance into a win. Looking on the bright side, at least that's 3 consecutive clean sheets now, but a corner count of 11-1 should normally be translated into a winning performance but our impotent attack is just not doing it at the moment. On the plus side the defence is keeping clean sheets again, would be nice if one of those central defensive giants could start getting their head on the ball when we get an attacking corner in the way that Adam Barrett or Mark Phillips used to. The midfield doesn't really seem to be ticking yet either and it may be time for the "undroppable" Husin to get a spell on the bench and the more energetic Appiah-Forson to be given a run in the team.

So who would you start for the first of three consecutive Saturdays at Roots Hall and what do you predict the result will be?

 

[Tampa Blue]

Wind is missing?

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Wind is missing?

Cheers - good spot! Now corrected

 

[Tampa Blue]

Cheers - good spot! Now corrected

Only because I’d be sorely tempted to go 442.

Yes the defence is working really well but the rest of the team isn’t.

I’d have a go with GSM wide right and bring in KAF. No reflection on leaving out Gubbins who has played really well but I’d love to shake it up and make things happen rather than relying/hoping for ‘something to drop’

 

[Tommy2holes]

The only change I'd make from yesterday is to give KAF a chance ahead of Husin

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United host Tamworth at Roots Hall on Saturday. Follow all the updates from the pre-match press conference here.

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[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Unfortunately printed upside down by the Echo. So you have to start near the bottom.​

​

All the updates from Southend United's pre-match chat.​

By Chris Phillips

3:13pm
On coming through the bad run, Crowther admits: "It's tough. The management reiterate things and give us belief and confidence because that does go down a bit at times. You've got to realise that we've lost a few players but the core is still here and we're a really good team. We've shown that for a long time and it was just more a matter of time until the results picked up. The performances weren't too bad, even though there was a lot to improve on. We're working hard, very hard, and you have to keep believing in yourself. It's hard, like you say, you do get down on yourself and upset when results aren't going your way. It effects your whole weekend and your home life but you have to get over it. Everyone has blips and you just have to make sure they're not too long. Hopefully we're over that now and we can really kick on."

3:09pm
On being back at Roots Hall, Crowther adds: "Hopefully we can get a good result because the home form hasn't been good enough. The fans are really important in trying to make it a loud, hostile place to come. They've been amazing away from home again recently and hopefully we can give them a few goals to cheer about on Saturday."

3:07pm
On facing Tamworth, Crowther says: "I played them last year before I came here so I know exactly what they're like. It's going to be very physical and a very tough test. The ball will be launched into our box from all sorts of angles and they've got a long throw which is going to shock a few I think. It will be a really tough test and probably an important one for myself as one of the taller lads. I'll be hoping to deal with what comes into the box. It's a different test to what we've had recently but it's something you've got to deal with. It should be my bread and butter so I've got to turn up and do my job."

2:56pm
On scoring goals, Crowther says: "The patterns are good and we're getting in the right areas. It's just about being clinical in the final third. I should've scored yesterday though so it's everyone doing that, all of us can score. We pride ourselves on our set pieces and throw ins, they're a big threat of ours. That's partly my job and the other centre halves as well. It's not just the strikers, we all need to be more ruthless and kill games off because I do feel we've got the quality to do that. At the same time though, we'd take winning 1-0 every game!"

2:52pm
How do you view the league table and the play-offs?

Crowther: "We really wanted to win last night because then we'd only be three or four points off the play-offs. We've always been looking at that end of the table. We've never looked at the other end even when things have gone badly. We just focus on the next game but you're not really looking too much because it's still early days. It's really tight and anyone can beat anyone in this league. There's always at least one shock every week."

2:49pm
On this week's schedule, Crowther says: "We're in today for a lot of recovery. It's the same as a Saturday, Tuesday turnaround really. Not much will change but will get ready for another tough test."

2:48pm
He adds: "It's good we're getting on the end of things and we're in the right areas. We need to be taking chances more but Aldershot defended their box well, it's not just bad misses sometimes it's good defending. Teams are hard to beat and they won't make it easy for you to score. There was a lot of wrestling going on in the box, which sometimes at this level refs don't like to give anything for, so it's hard but we have to be more ruthless. We all know that and we're working on it but I'm sure it will come."

2:36pm
Crowther admits he should've scored at Aldershot last night, saying: "It was very disappointing, I've got to score basically. I'll be working on that tomorrow a lot on the training ground because I get in good areas and need to improve that side of things. I have scored a lot of goals in the past but I could've scored plenty more here already and I need to improve that because that could've been the difference last night."

2:34pm
Crowther adds: "Last night, again, Collin came off and he hadn't really had many saves to make. That's been the last three games really in whatever way we've wanted to defend. Whether it's high press, low block or whatever you want to call it we've been a lot better in all formats. Again last night they didn't really trouble us too much. They had their spells but it's good and it's all round. It starts from the front of the pitch because they're not allowing them to get good quality into our final third so all praise to them as well."

2:21pm
On turning things around, he adds:" It was a strange spell we had because as players we didn't do anything different in training, we had the same mentality and approach but it just felt like every shot was going in. They were sloppy goals out of nowhere. We haven't changed much but the results have been better and that helps with confidence. Now we're getting back to that feeling we had for a long time where we think we're not going to concede. It's much better to have a good, solid base to go from."

2:19pm
How pleasing has it been for you to have a run of games?

Crowther: "It's been really good. The trust that the manager and all the staff have given me I feel that responsibility and love they give me. It's really pleasing and hopefully we've turned a corner now. It probably wasn't good enough for a period in the middle but long may this form continue."

2:14pm
Up first is defender Adam Crowther.

He's asked about Blues picking up another clean sheet at Aldershot last night.

He says: "We're pleased with the clean sheet. The recent performances have been a lot more solid and stronger. It's not just the defence, it comes from the whole team. Collin has been excellent as well, he's been really vocal to organise us all and it's been much better defensively."

2:11pm
I'm back at Boots & Laces this afternoon. It's a busy week for Blues and me!

Southend host Tamworth at Roots Hall this weekend and we're going to be speaking to both Adam Crowther and boss Kevin Maher.

 

[fbm]

So it's basically an interview with Adam Crowther as opposed to a press conference. There doesn't appear to be anything with Maher.

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

On possible new signings, Maher says: "We know what we want. There's a slightly different process on how we go about signings so we've got to go through that. Hopefully we can get them done as soon as possible.

Asked for more details on the different process, Maher adds: "There's different ways of looking at stuff. We're looking and we know the areas we're looking at too. It's a difficult period and people don't want to let anyone out but we're trying."

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

Taylor Foran's loan spell from Bromley will end after Saturday's game.

On the defender's future, Maher says: "We'll continue to have a conversation on that and see where it leads."

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

Jack Bridge will make his 150th appearance for the club on Saturday if he features.

Maher says: "It's been difficult because I think so much of Jack and what he is as a player. I've known him a long time. He hasn't started the last three and we've kept three clean sheets. He was such an outlet for us last year in terms of goals, assists and the amount of balls he gets in the box. He's got a massive part to play for us and he's a really important player. He's done different jobs for us this year and even last night it was a slightly different position when he came on. He gives everything all the time and he's been brilliant since we've been here. To get his 150th game would be brilliant. He's top drawer in how he acts and conducts himself too."

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

On George Moncur, Maher adds: "There's something at the top of his hip, around the groin region so we couldn't risk him last night. We'll see how he settles down in the next day or two."

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

On Cav Miley and Danny Waldron's injuries, Maher says: "We're pleased they're getting closer. We'll see where they are come the weekend. We've still got loads to do and there's a long way to go. People are getting up to speed and the more we do that the stronger we'll be."

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

I believe Tamworth are in for a tonking at Roots Hall. Hope they enjoy chasing shadows

 

[leeblue]

Same team i imagine, got that clean sheet mentality back which is never a bad thing, stick the ball in the net a bit more and we will soon be sniffing at the play offs, looking forward to this one.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

Unless someone is Injured cant see any changes it's not KM style

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

I believe Tamworth are in for a tonking at Roots Hall. Hope they enjoy chasing shadows

I think the players will be right in the mood for Tamworth, should be a great game and i reckon theyll be raining shots at them. Win it and we'll have the whole week to prep for a cup upset with Charlton, then the city will come alive when we get the away tie at Arsenal in the next round and Kev Maher buys some seriious strikers with the money to see us win at Wembley in 2025.
We are overdue some serious luck and remember, it all started with that extra time winner at Eastleigh with the just desserts from their cheating goalkeeper and centre back Fernandez !

 

[Evening Echo]

ADAM Crowther is aiming to play a big part at both ends of the pitch when Southend United host Tamworth.

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[Evening Echo]

KEVIN Maher has stressed Jack Bridge’s importance to Southend United ahead of the wing-back’s 150th game for the club.

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Help with Echo links

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

KEVIN Maher has stressed Jack Bridge’s importance to Southend United ahead of the wing-back’s 150th game for the club.

Bridge will reach the landmark if he features against Tamworth at Roots Hall this weekend.

And Shrimpers boss Maher was quick to praise Bridge’s influence on the team - despite him currently being out of the starting line-up.

“It’s been difficult because I think so much of Jack and what he is as a player,” said Maher.

“I’ve known him a long time but he hasn’t started the last three and we’ve kept three clean sheets.

“He was such an outlet for us last year in terms of goals, assists and the amount of balls he gets in the box.

“He’s got a massive part to play for us and he’s a really important player.”

Bridge came through the club’s youth system before returning to Roots Hall in 2021 after three years away.

And Maher is also a fan of Bridge’s versatility.

“He’s done different jobs for us this year and even on Wednesday night it was a slightly different position when he came on,” said the Blues boss.

“He gives everything all the time and he’s been brilliant since we’ve been here.

“To get his 150th game would be brilliant because he’s top drawer in how he acts and conducts himself too.”

Bridge made his Blues’ debut as a second half substitute against Bradford City back in 2016.