Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Walsall, Tuesday 23rd March, 19:00, FL2

[shrimperjon]

Its been hard to find teams that are actually worse than us this season, but on current form this lot are. Fail to win tonight then you have to think our time is up, this simply is a must win game and failure to do so would me another huge nail in our coffin. MM must put out the most attacking side he can muster and simply go for it

 

[Barling Magna]

Here's an encouraging post on the Walsall forum which clearly agrees with you Shrimperjon:

My worry tonight is that we go out and set up not to lose. If Southend have got any sense then they will just come out and hit us from the start. With a completely defensive set up and mindset then if we do concede first I just think that it will be too difficult for us to pull this one back as well. Let’s face it, scoring goals lately has not been something that we are particularly good at.

This could be a game too early for Holden to make a come back. But to expect him to walk back into the side and make an instant impact is too much to ask after such a long lay off. With Tyreik away on international duty I do wonder where that bit of extra attacking quality will come from. After watching the last few matches we seem to be relying on a Norman long throw into the box as our best way of creating chances.

 

[euroshrimper]

Despite the fact that not everyone agrees (some say still 30 points to play for) in my opinion tonight really is a must win game so we must go for it from the off........goals would produce confidence and a win would give us a fighting chance so come on you "mighty Shrimpers" there's a few of us in Bonnie Scotland that will be willing that ball into the back of the net. Chin up to all fellow Shrimpers, let's go for it tonight.

 

[mfurok]

Anyway for tonight go:
Ox
Demi White Hobson Clifford (if fit)
Taylor Ferguson Dieng
Egbri/Ang (Egbri if fit) Akinola Goodship

Would like to see Goodship given a run. However I think it is quite telling the manager he scored most of his goals under doesn't fancy him in the football league.

'Telling'?

On whom?

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

I don't want to be unfair to Walsall but if we can't beat them in their present run of form........who exactly can we beat?

Exactly Yogi always thought this game was more doable that the previous 3 games

 

[Jai]

We need to be brave and have the courage to take the right risks. It's not about going all-out attack, we don't have the players to play swashbuckling attacking football, we'd leave gaps and would simply be picked off. Walsall will just fill their boots on the break. It's about making sure we have players prepared to gamble when the odds are good, load the box when players are in a crossing position, not hiding from team mates, and getting the full backs forward when we can.

McCormack and Ferguson don't need to both play tonight. I'd make a case for Olayinka in for Macca, with potentially K Taylor, if fit, even if he is the most frustrating player to watch - lovely touches and passing in harmless positions and very little at the business end. Dieng for me is a better player than Taylor but probably could do with sitting one out.

 

[Flinty]

Oxley
Demi White Hobson Clifford (Hart)
Macca
Ferguson Oly (Mellis)
RHF Emile Akinola

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

One things for sure the match thread will turn absolutely toxic this eve if we start losing or haven’t scored by about 60/70 mins. This game is huge. We absolutely need to win it. I’ve gone past caring who MM selects I just hope they’re up for this and willing to fight for our club tonight.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

45 minutes until team news. Who's getting nervous?

The 11 most popular votes are:

Oxley 83
Hobson 82
White 81
Olayinka 72
Akinola 70
Ferguson 66
Clifford 63
RHF 57
Demi 51
Dieng 47
K Taylor 46

I would assume such a side would line up:

Oxley

Demi White Hobson Clifford

Ferguson K Taylor

Olayinka

RHF Dieng Akinola​

 

[duncan bulgaria]

could this be written for Mellis to step up and grab us the winner tonight , calculated risks need to be taken tonight and to get among them early doors so Wallsall know they are in for a tough night .

Lose tonight and i cant see any hope of us staying up

 

[Bluegoose]

To IFollow or not to IFollow, that is the question. Can we stand another insipid home display or will they rise up to the challenge.

 

[Strykr]

could this be written for Mellis to step up and grab us the winner tonight , calculated risks need to be taken tonight and to get among them early doors so Wallsall know they are in for a tough night .

Lose tonight and i cant see any hope of us staying up

6 0 olayinka and mellis hat tricks.

 

[Barling Magna]

To IFollow or not to IFollow, that is the question. Can we stand another insipid home display or will they rise up to the challenge.

You can't miss this. Whatever happens it will be a match discussed in great detail for days and may be the key moment in our fight to avoid relegation - one way or the other.

 

[jackj13]

'Telling'?

On whom?

MM but he must have been listening as he’s got a start ?

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

See Paul Clark thinks Goodship deserves to be playing too.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

To IFollow or not to IFollow, that is the question. Can we stand another insipid home display or will they rise up to the challenge.

To iFollow is the answer .Pitch looks in good nick.

 

[Shrimpet steve]

Why is mm not starting olyinka? Mellis? Holmes?? I'm fed up with him picking the wrong lineup and not selecting the strongest players available! I'm sorry but no matter the result tonight the lineup is wrong and the guy should be teaching PE rather then a professional football team!! Clueless!!. The bench is a stronger lineup then the half of the first eleven!!

 

[Chrisb]

Why is mm not starting olyinka? Mellis? Holmes?? I'm fed up with him picking the wrong lineup and not selecting the strongest players available! I'm sorry but no matter the result tonight the lineup is wrong and the guy should be teaching PE rather then a professional football team!! Clueless!!. The bench is a stronger lineup then the half of the first eleven!!

Will you be watching ?

 

[Shrimpet steve]

Will you be watching ?

Yes