Pre-Match Thread York City v Southend United, Saturday 21st December, 15:00 k.o., NL

[Tangled up in Blue]

Our league position is mainly due to our dismal home form. Our away form is acceptable, as the poster says “mostly ok”

Don't think anyone can be happy with our position in the table,which is based on both away and home results as far as I'm aware.

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

I prefer the 433 formation and it think we can also play defensively strong especially as they play with wingers.

The best part of this formation is you cover across the defence but can also play with the midfield make up. Ie play 2 attacking or defending midfielders but still have 3 up front

It also means fewer players back so we can move the ball forward quicker.

As York are more attacking, and because if we play too defensively it will only put more pressure on our team I'd go with


Colin
Wind Taylor crowther Ralph
Miley Coker Morton
Walker bim bridge

Miley and Morton don't work well in midfield when we play 5 at the back ( mostly because we then technically have 7 defensive players). I reckon 4 at the back though will help them to cover the midfield width and defence. This should also free up coker to take the ball forward to support the forwards but also sit back as a good mid 3

I think bridge will really appreciate more freedom and less defensive duties.to run at goal and their defence to use his creativity.

Walker is a great winger striker with pace and bim is a super target man based on his running.

But we all know it's back to 352 although if we play full backs as the wing backs it might as well be 532

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

We tend to play better against the better teams, especially those who get the ball down and play. Why Maher would drastically change formation I'm not sure .... it's the more physical teams we struggle against.
I wouldn't be surprised to see something like this line-up, players fitness permitting. Option to bring on Miley to shore things up or if we're going for it, bring on Walker and/or Kendall and go to a front 3.

Collin
GSM - Taylor - Crowther - Ralph - Bridge
Morton - Coker - Moncur
Pepple - Bonne

Bench - Walker, Kendall, Golding, Wind, Miley, Husin, KAF

 

[dusterman]

We tend to play better against the better teams, especially those who get the ball down and play. Why Maher would drastically change formation I'm not sure .... it's the more physical teams we struggle against.
I wouldn't be surprised to see something like this line-up, players fitness permitting. Option to bring on Miley to shore things up or if we're going for it, bring on Walker and/or Kendall and go to a front 3.

Collin
GSM - Taylor - Crowther - Ralph - Bridge
Morton - Coker - Moncur
Pepple - Bonne

Bench - Walker, Kendall, Golding, Wind, Miley, Husin, KAF

Looking forward to having an Xmas singalong with my fellow Shrimpers. Can’t see him starting Moncur in this game. The ability to play Miley and Morton together will happen as suggested in Cav is pushed ip left and Morton can continue to role he has been of spraying the ball about and moving us up the pitch. Either that or KAF rather than Moncs for me.

 

[dusterman]

Where are Shrimpers going drinking before the game?

 

[ShrimperStats]

I think it would be sensible to have five ‘proper’ defenders on from the start, for this one. I’ve watched a lot of York’s matches this season, and they’re very difficult to prepare to face because they can use a variety of shapes. This means it’s difficult to plan how to press them. Then, if you do press them, they have lots of movement & rotations which can pull you apart.

Especially away from home, I think it would be sensible to accept that they’re going to have the ball, but make sure we’re solid in the last line.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Looking forward to having an Xmas singalong with my fellow Shrimpers. Can’t see him starting Moncur in this game. The ability to play Miley and Morton together will happen as suggested in Cav is pushed ip left and Morton can continue to role he has been of spraying the ball about and moving us up the pitch. Either that or KAF rather than Moncs for me.

I don't dislike the idea of starting KAF but Maher seems to prefer him as an option off the bench. Miley - yes I can see him starting also but Moncur seems to be back in favour. I have a good feeling about this game - near Christmas, big away following .... (watch us lose 5-0!!)

 

[dusterman]

I don't dislike the idea of starting KAF but Maher seems to prefer him as an option off the bench. Miley - yes I can see him starting also but Moncur seems to be back in favour. I have a good feeling about this game - near Christmas, big away following .... (watch us lose 5-0!!)

Yeah I’m there for the fun not the result. Safer that way! My mind is we’ll play well but get beat. Standard in these games. Agree on KAF from the bench. We have options now so tell them to run themselves into the ground for 50-60 mins and change it. Got a couple of York locals coming with me too so hoping we put on a show!

 

[Westcliff Shrimper]

I think it would be sensible to have five ‘proper’ defenders on from the start, for this one. I’ve watched a lot of York’s matches this season, and they’re very difficult to prepare to face because they can use a variety of shapes. This means it’s difficult to plan how to press them. Then, if you do press them, they have lots of movement & rotations which can pull you apart.

Especially away from home, I think it would be sensible to accept that they’re going to have the ball, but make sure we’re solid in the last line.

I agree with that - think Kev will go with the following line-up:

Collin
GSM - Taylor - Crowther - Golding - Ralph
Coker - Morton - Husin
Bim - Bonne

Lots of options on the bench; hopefully CK gets at least 30 minutes alongside either Bim or Macca.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

I think it would be sensible to have five ‘proper’ defenders on from the start, for this one. I’ve watched a lot of York’s matches this season, and they’re very difficult to prepare to face because they can use a variety of shapes. This means it’s difficult to plan how to press them. Then, if you do press them, they have lots of movement & rotations which can pull you apart.

Especially away from home, I think it would be sensible to accept that they’re going to have the ball, but make sure we’re solid in the last line.

I agree. Nathaniel George has been a revelation this season and a real threat. He's scored some wonderful goals too. A far cry from the version we had under Molesley when he'd only dribble in his own half. Always knew there was a good player in there. It will be a really tough game for whomever has the task of marking him.

 

[Zeuss]

I agree. Nathaniel George has been a revelation this season and a real threat. He's scored some wonderful goals too. A far cry from the version we had under Molesley when he'd only dribble in his own half. Always knew there was a good player in there. It will be a really tough game for whomever has the task of marking him.

Some on here want that to be Bridge !!!

 

[Evening Echo]

ALL the updates from the pre-match conference ahead of Southend United's trip to York City this weekend.

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[Barry.C]

On being in and out of the team in recent weeks, Husin says: "We've got a lot of quality and a lot of numbers in midfield. We've got a big squad so there will be rotation and you've got to take your chance when you come back into the team
."Husin admits: "It's frustrating I've not been able to get on the score-sheet but hopefully I will soon."

Hope Noor can get back to more of the Rolls Royce performances we have seen

Not sure we have large numbers in midfield but we have grown a bit bigger with Forson and Moncur and I suppose you can count it as 7 if you include Noor, Forson, Bridge, Moncur Coker Miley and Morton

But as many have said even if numbers are good and generate competition we are lacking in midfield for the many reasons identified by members and seemingly Kev himself !

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher is certain the Shrimpers can still be a force to be reckoned with this season.

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[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher has hailed Cav Miley’s influence on the Shrimpers ahead of the midfielder’s 100th appearance for the club.

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[bluethroughandthrough]

I think it would be sensible to have five ‘proper’ defenders on from the start, for this one. I’ve watched a lot of York’s matches this season, and they’re very difficult to prepare to face because they can use a variety of shapes. This means it’s difficult to plan how to press them. Then, if you do press them, they have lots of movement & rotations which can pull you apart.

Especially away from home, I think it would be sensible to accept that they’re going to have the ball, but make sure we’re solid in the last line.

This is where I will I'd like to challenge you (because mostly I agree and love your data informed contributions!).

I find it very frustrating that there is a mentality of worrying about the opposition and being sensible (sounds like a Maher word)

It would be great to phrase this (and perhaps because we're not there) "this is what York have to worry about us and what they have to do to stop us".

Genuinely are we that inferior? It seems the general mentality is always how we stop the other team from beating us rather than how do we beat them.

Let's play 5 defenders so we don't lose. What about playing 4 defenders and 3 upfront so we attack and win?

What it also sounds like is we don't have rotation or movement too which makes us static and perhaps is the root of our issues? You'll have the data on that

I'm a glass half full person by nature so it may explain my reaction! Maher a half empty guy which explains my frustration.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher is certain the Shrimpers can still be a force to be reckoned with this season.

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[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher has confirmed Gus Scott-Morriss is back in training ahead of Saturday's trip to York City.

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[Evening Echo]

BIM Pepple has handed Southend United a big fitness boost ahead of Saturday’s clash at York City.

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[Massimo Giovanni]

Is this the first time we have every player fit and available for selection?
No suspensions?
A few assessed/managed niggles?
Just Jeacock back at Lincoln, has his loan been ended formally?
Hopefully the subs bench is getting as much consideration as it deserves.
If so then that is very good for the busy coming few weeks.