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

[Shrimpergonzo]

We've hardly had time to get over the bitter disappointment of conceding a last minute equaliser at Scunny on Saturday and already it's time to look forward again to another game. I used the phrase "look forward" in its most literal sense in that my thoughts turn to a future event, rather than the other use of the phrase meaning eagerly anticipating, as the closer we get to the end of the season I approach each game with increasing dread.

Another disappointing aspect of last Saturday was hearing at 2.00pm that the 10 outfield players were to be the same as had started in the 0-0 draw the previous week. It was only due to Elvis becoming ill that this changed and Demi was switched to right back and Ricky Holmes replaced him in the midfield. We'd have probably preferred this to be announced at 2.00pm but the performance on the pitch with the allegedly more attacking line up was just as disappointing as against Stevenage, if anything it was probably even worse!

A few weeks ago poor young Emile Acquah was getting lambasted on here every game for opportunities spurned, but since he's been dropped it's others who have been woeful at taking our chances, so what is MM to do to find the formula that works up front? What is clear is that something has to change - personnel, formation, tactics - something....ANYTHING!

Tuesday night sees us playing one of only two teams in worse recent form than we are (we drew 0-0 with the other one a couple of weeks ago!):



I have hesitated to use the phrase "must win game" until now, but surely with only 10 games to go, at home to the team bottom of the form table then this must fit that description.

So, you know the drill - starting line up and result please!

 

[Rayleigh boy]

Quite optimistic as I think we are finally learning to win ....

I thought the game on Saturday showed the way forward ... play tight destructive football and look for opportunities ..

MM still costing us points with his poor decision making but the team under Maccas leadership look determined ..

 

[Goughy]

It's the hope that kills you...

I think tomorrow night will be the chance for this squad to show some bounce back and fight, after the supposed culture change and increased work ethic. Must must must attack with impetus. No negative substitutions please MM, especially if only 1 ahead.

 

[sufc4life21]

This is are best chance of getting a win to give the club and its fans some hope.

We are facing a side who haven't won since their previous manager left, and their top goalscorer left them in January! Clearly low in confidence.

Time for this management team and players to earn their corn. Attack from the off and win the game...... no more excuses!

 

[Floval Flyer]

I so wish we could be at RH for this game and get behind the lads.

Wonder if we could line the entrance (socially distanced of course) and applaud the players and show our support as they drive through the gates before the game?

 

[Derbyshire Blue]

It'll be interesting to see if any urgency creeps into the team selection and the way we play. I actually thought there were spells in the 2nd half against Scunny where we played like we only usually do with 2 minutes to go. Similar outcome where we don't look like scoring but at least we 'earnt' a penalty in the end.

Surely MM will be thinking he needs to try different things to get some goals and I expect whatever he tries will be to the displeasure of most!

 

[duncan bulgaria]

Huge game , one we know we can win , one that could define the last part of the season . I hope for a positive line up as an early goal against these will cause the losing mentality to creep in and we could make an easy nights work.

We need players and management to step up now and go win us games

 

[TrevorFitzpatrickHattrick]

I've tried to remain positive and optimistic throughout this dog's dinner of a season, but those feelings are starting to erode pretty quickly. In my mind, this is simply a must win game. I know mathematically that we're not officially down regardless of the outcome, but let's be honest, Walsall are absolutely pony. This game is a yardstick, and if we don't end up with 3 points, we deserve non-league.

 

[LBBlue]

I’m afraid this is another one that has 0-0 written all over it.

Even in this poor run Walsall lost only their 4th away game on Saturday after they had gone down to ten men. They have drawn 15 games and don’t get beaten often. If they score we probably won’t win unless we try something very different - ie take a RISK!

In my view our vey defensive style of play has stripped any confidence our attacking players have had because it has piled on the pressure on them.

However if we attack more it might very well expose the lack of pace in the middle of the defence which we protect with two defensive midfielders.

They know a draw will do them very nicely.

Lets hope he starts Olayinka so we take the initiative and not wait until the 70th minute when get desperate and disjointed.

 

[Derbyshire Blue]

Huge game , one we know we can win , one that could define the last part of the season . I hope for a positive line up as an early goal against these will cause the losing mentality to creep in and we could make an easy nights work.

We need players and management to step up now and go win us games

I wonder if their fans are saying the exact same things?!

 

[Jai]

The term must-win game is overused and a massive cliche. But they don't really come much closer to it than this. We have to use this opportunity to drag Walsall down closer to us because to be honest if we lose it is almost certainly all over.

I didn't actually think there was much wrong in our overall set up and performance on Saturday. We should have been three nil up by half time, but our finishing was just beyond poor, embarrassing.

Think a lot depends on the status of Egbri and Olayinka. If fit enough, they both start for me, and we should revert to 4-5-1 to allow Olayinka to play at the top of that midfield three. That is the formation and system that worked for us in December, and if we can replace the disappointing Holmes with the energetic and aggressive Egbri, it should make us a far bigger attacking threat than trying to fudge along with Dieng out of position upfront.

If we're going to be without those two, a 4-4-2 is fine but we have to bring Acquah back in for Dieng, who tried his best up there but is clearly not a striker. Acquah at least offers more in the way of doing the ugly stuff for his strike partner. Clearly none of our attacking options are ideal, but we are where we are.

 

[OllieSteph44]

The first game in recent weeks that I’d class as a must win.

However that does not equate to go all out attack and try and win 4-0.

Keep it tight. Stick to the plan. Score first.

Must win, yes. Must attack attack attack...definitely not.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

We certainly need to win but even if we do it's too late to keep us up now.

 

[SHRIMPERPETER]

Oxley
Demi(if Elvis out) White Hobson Clifford
Egbri Ferguson Taylor RHF
Olayinka
Akinola

 

[Shrimper]

Win or that's it I'm afraid

 

[Colchester John]

View attachment 14860

We've hardly had time to get over the bitter disappointment of conceding a last minute equaliser at Scunny on Saturday and already it's time to look forward again to another game. I used the phrase "look forward" in its most literal sense in that my thoughts turn to a future event, rather than the other use of the phrase meaning eagerly anticipating, as the closer we get to the end of the season I approach each game with increasing dread.

Another disappointing aspect of last Saturday was hearing at 2.00pm that the 10 outfield players were to be the same as had started in the 0-0 draw the previous week. It was only due to Elvis becoming ill that this changed and Demi was switched to right back and Ricky Holmes replaced him in the midfield. We'd have probably preferred this to be announced at 2.00pm but the performance on the pitch with the allegedly more attacking line up was just as disappointing as against Stevenage, if anything it was probably even worse!

A few weeks ago poor young Emile Acquah was getting lambasted on here every game for opportunities spurned, but since he's been dropped it's others who have been woeful at taking our chances, so what is MM to do to find the formula that works up front? What is clear is that something has to change - personnel, formation, tactics - something....ANYTHING!

Tuesday night sees us playing one of only two teams in worse recent form than we are (we drew 0-0 with the other one a couple of weeks ago!):

View attachment 14861

I have hesitated to use the phrase "must win game" until now, but surely with only 10 games to go, at home to the team bottom of the form table then this must fit that description.

So, you know the drill - starting line up and result please!

MM will do what he always does, pick 5 at the back and Deme and Alan Mac and if it is a tight game, take off a couple of forwards who are looking to score and replace them with defence minded midfielders and hope he gets a draw or small defeat.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Wow there’s going to be a lot of pressure on the team to get us a result. If Clifford is fit, I’d start him over Hart who to me is a bit of a loose cannon (as is McCormack). Reeco definitely on the left cutting in. Olayinka central. Be tempted to start Holmes again on the right. Acquah back up front for me. Score?? Who knows. I’m hoping we can win .. we desperately need to win .. but the pressure concerns me and mentally whether we can hold it together.

 

[hlane17]

I think it will be too much pressure for a team who can't even win when the going is good.

We have had two good chances to get out of trouble this season and couldn't handle the pressure of success, let alone the pressure when relegation out of the Football League is staring us in the face.

Although that's my opinion, I beg that this squad and the management make me eat my words.

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

Irrespective of our displeasure at the off-field issues, let's still get right behind the lads tomorrow !

COME ON YOU BLUE BOYS !!!!!!!!!!!! SEA SEA SEASIDERS !!!!

 

[Elmsleigh shrimper]

It'll be interesting to see how we do against a side that may be happy to settle for a point. So far we haven't come across that scenario too often. Most opposition teams have been looking to beat us but certainly tomorrow, Col U and to a lesser extent Barrow may be content to avoid defeat. Should make for a cracking game ?