Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Yeovil Town, Saturday 9th November, 15:00 k.o., NL

[Shrimpergonzo]

After our cup exploits last Saturday it's back to Roots Hall for the third weekend in a row and back to National League action against Yeovil Town. The Glovers, managed by Mark Cooper who played 5 games on loan for us in 1990, currently sit in 7th place in the table and are on a decent run of form in the league, 6 games unbeaten and only two defeats in their last 10 league games, although they did lose to lowly Chesham Town in the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup during this good run.



Former Shrimper Frank Nouble, now 33, is plying his trade at Huish Park and is a fairly regular starter for them, although is yet to score this season (mimicking his form whilst playing for us). I'm sure he'll be receiving a "warm welcome" from our fans!

Kev needs to decide whether to reward the 11 players who started and performed so heroically against Charlton. The difficult decisions will be around whether Zach Jeacock, unable to play in the cup due to his loan restrictions, should be recalled in place of Collin who looks a bit out of sorts at the moment. Also whether Cav Miley should regain his starting berth, presumably at the expense of James Morton which would be harsh on Morton who is really starting to show why we signed him with an excellent eye for a pass. The front two seem to be building up a good understanding and surely Macauley Bonne will break his duck soon - it's good to have both Josh Walker and Danny Waldron as potential options off the bench. Joe Gubbins was injured last Saturday and so we're short of defensive options should something happen to our back three, which is a bit concerning - with Miley or Scott-Morriss being only really potential makeshift centre backs.

So who would you choose to start on Saturday, and what do you predict the result will be?

 

[WestyReturns]

I'd like same 10 on the pitch and Jeacock back in goal who was excellent in his last game.

Morton run the show in midfield out of both teams against Charlton. No coincidence it's suiting him better us trying to get the ball forward a bit quicker on occasions rather than the predictable slow build up every time.

Thought Bonne did much better last week but would understand if Walker came in for him instead. Pepple has to start!

 

[GBJ]

I feel Yeovil are in a bit of a false position in the league. They’ve had a fairly favourable fixture schedule up until this point, but regardless, they deserve credit for getting the points.

They’ve came up short against some of the division’s big hitters, which is the bracket I consider us to be in.

If we play with the same heart and determination we showed against Charlton, we should be too much for them. That being said, I do expect a tough game tbh, and would be happy to scrape a 1-0.

 

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

2-0 to the shrimpers.
Bonne with his first and Pepple to score.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

Aaron Jarvis and their starting CB are both suspended for this match. Huge boost for us.

If we can go and replicate that performance from the Charlton match this Saturday, we run out comfortable winners. That is easier said than done. Atmosphere will be totally different (tickets on the lower side at the mo), so the adrenaline will be different too.

If everyone is fit, that outfield team doesn't change. In goal, who knows. I don't think Collin actually did a lot wrong. People saying Jeacock played so well in the previous game, he didn't have to do anything of note. Tough decision for Kev and will be interesting to see what he does.

Let's get a real run going in the league! COYB!

 

[leeblue]

A win would really emphasise our return to form of late.
I'd start Walker over Bonne 100% of the time.
Bonne will not break his duck he is incapable of doing so on current evidence (prove me wrong)
Bridge could barely walk at the end on Saturday will be interesting to see if he has recovered or will Kev go with Ralph at LWB.
The Cav v Morton debate is going to heat up even more in the coming weeks...very interesting, for me Morton still in as he's earned it.
Some nice problems to have for Kev as his squad is fully fit now.

 

[Smiffy]

No point playing well, putting everything on the line and giving a League One team a proper game, if the following weekend we don't produce similar in a bread and butter fixture. Let's have the same level of performance and siege mentality, which was very evident last weekend please. If we revert to type, that would be very disappointing.

The performance and mentality of last weekend now needs to be the benchmark and springboard to turn this recent ok run, into a decent one that pushes us into the play-off picture pre-xmas.

 

[CrippsCorner]

I'm beginning to think Bonne doesn't need to score, maybe he can be more of an assist guy. Seems to have had a couple of stronger performances recently, although that's nothing against Walker who I think has real goal scoring potential.

Wonder if it's worth starting with Bonne & Walker in fact, and chucking Pepple on a half time for a real second half boost.

 

[dusterman]

No point playing well, putting everything on the line and giving a League One team a proper game, if the following weekend we don't produce similar in a bread and butter fixture. Let's have the same level of performance and siege mentality, which was very evident last weekend please. If we revert to type, that would be very disappointing.

The performance and mentality of last weekend now needs to be the benchmark and springboard to turn this recent ok run, into a decent one that pushes us into the play-off picture pre-xmas.

And against a team occupying where we need to be sooner rather than later.

 

[kentblues]

I imagine we will start with same 11 injuries allowing. Quite possible Jeacock will start. His kicking was good, he also largely binned all the playing out from the back and kicked long. Actually worked well as it got us on the front foot in the opposition, was well delivered in their third whether that resulted in us winning possession or applying pressure.

However, pointless having that approach without Bonne. And I suspect both Bim and Walker would prefer to play off Bonne. If we go Walker and Bim it will be play out from the back and work the channels rather than provide meat and drink to their CBs. Reality is we have one target man type and play him or not play him it impacts on our approach. A simple reality at the moment.

 

[shrimperjon]

Jeacock
GSM Gubbins Crowther Taylor Ralph
Morton Coker Husin
Bonne Pepple

2-0 win

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Reality is we have one target man type and play him or not play him it impacts on our approach.

It would be mad not to play Bim.

I also think Bonne might be able to perform this role to an extent.

 

[rigsby]

Pepple has had his best performances with Bonne on the pitch. The way they split the Tamworth defence for a two v two allowed Bim the room to beat his man with no cover when he scored.

Bim and Bonne for an hour, Walker and bit later Waldron is the way to go.

People should not get wrapped up in the Bonne hasn't scored so must be dropped theory. Of course we can't replace Cardwell without serious money or a years development for a big number 9. Walker is to much head down a dribble till I lose it for that role. Unfortunately so far Waldron is a bit too Bambi like. So like him or not its Bonne as our 9

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Reasonable numbers of Yeovil on their way, adding to the atmosphere

 

[stewart]

It will be interesting to see the players response after last week ,lets hope they an continue with the sort of performance they put in against Charlton, In a way this is a must win game and an opportunity to really move up a few places in the league, Yeovil i think will be looking at this match as a must not lose game , lose and they drop down a fe places and out off the playoffs, hopefully another decent support from you all and a crowd hopefully in the 7000s.

 

[shrimperjon]

Reasonable numbers of Yeovil on their way, adding to the atmosphere

130 odd from what I can see

 

[Harry Bullocks]

200-250 on the day ?

 

[kentblues]

It would be mad not to play Bim.

I also think Bonne might be able to perform this role to an extent.

Bim isn’t particularly good in the air but his hold up place is decent, he has pace and will run the channels. And an eye for goal. Bonne is the only one we have currently that will compete effectively in the air and cause CBs an issue in that respect.

Agree it would be mad not to start with Bim.

 

[Tommy2holes]

Just under 6k sold so far with 2.5 days of sales still to go.

I'm sure it will be close to 7k on the day with just over 200 Yeovil.

This is a game we need to win to close the gap on Yeovil who occupy the 7th spot in the play offs.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

We really have to win in order to later ger into the play offs ourselves.