Pre-Match Thread Maidenhead United v Southend United, Tuesday 20th February, 19:45 k.o., NL

[Shrimpergonzo]

It was Albert Einstein who allegedly said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Our management team has rigidly stuck to the same formation (albeit with minor tweaks and slightly different personnel in various positions), but the facts are we have not scored from open play since Gus Scott-Morriss’s goal in the 85th minute against Halifax on 6th January. Not allowing for stoppage time in that game or any of the games since, that’s 455 minutes of football, or over 7.5 hours of watching the blues .

After Saturday's disappointing 0-0 draw at lowly Oxford City it's another away trip - this time to Alan Devonshire's Maidenhead United, a journey we always seem to make on a Tuesday night.

Maidstone’s current form is pretty similar to ours at the moment and we’re both in a clutch of teams that have garnered 7 points from our last six games.



Whilst we were eking out a meagre point at the basement club, The Magpies were being beaten 3-1 at home to Oldham.

They have a few familiar faces among their number - Ashley Nathaniel-George and Kane Ferdinand both started on Saturday, whilst Sam Barratt came off the bench to replace ANG in the second half.

So what will our management team do to try to turn things around on Tuesday and get us scoring again? They’ll be forced into at least one change with captain Nathan Ralph having to sit this one out after his sending off on Saturday. With Harry Taylor and Louis Lomas unlikely to be fit, if they’re to stick again with 3 centre backs then it will have to be a makeshift person filling in - Cav Miley, Demi or Gus probably the most likely.

Of course they could try something different - maybe 4 at the back with Demi at left back?

It’s the midfield which seems to have come in for the most criticism over recent games with the lack of creativity from the centre a particular concern. We are bereft of options in that department - Husin just isn’t doing it at the moment, and perhaps the time has come to give Jack Wood a runout - after all he scored a shed load of goals last season when on loan at Tonbridge Angels.

Then of course it’s finding the right combination up front - we now have options in that department with Cardwell, Sandat, Dackers and Waldron but no combination of these has quite clicked yet.

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

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

I'll be there!
Even though it's five hours there and back from St Ives, it's actually an easy journey.
The ground, if you can call it that, is 400m from the station; the Travelodge is 300m, so what's not to like?
The result probably...

PS. Maidenhead's claim to fame is they are one of only two clubs to have entered every FA Cup since the first in 1872.

 

[shrimperjon]

Like us to try something different. Don’t fix something that’s not broken, well the last three games are suggesting something isn’t right. However we do create chances. We just don’t finish them. But with Ralph missing maybe we can go to a back four and play 433 or 442. Must be worth tweaking just to see. Even the best manages in the world change things when it’s not working.

Colin
JD Crowther Kensdake Gus
Bridge Noor Miley wood
Waldron Cardwell

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

This is a tricky fixture at the best of times. And this isn't the best of times

 

[RHB]

It was Albert Einstein who allegedly said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Our management team has rigidly stuck to the same formation (albeit with minor tweaks and slightly different personnel in various positions), but the facts are we have not scored from open play since Gus Scott-Morriss’s goal in the 85th minute against Halifax on 6th January. Not allowing for stoppage time in that game or any of the games since, that’s 455 minutes of football, or over 7.5 hours of watching the blues .

After Saturday's disappointing 0-0 draw at lowly Oxford City it's another away trip - this time to Alan Devonshire's Maidenhead United, a journey we always seem to make on a Tuesday night.

Maidstone’s current form is pretty similar to ours at the moment and we’re both in a clutch of teams that have garnered 7 points from our last six games.

View attachment 31149

Whilst we were eking out a meagre point at the basement club, The Magpies were being beaten 3-1 at home to Oldham.

They have a few familiar faces among their number - Ashley Nathaniel-George and Kane Ferdinand both started on Saturday, whilst Sam Barratt came off the bench to replace ANG in the second half.

So what will our management team do to try to turn things around on Tuesday and get us scoring again? They’ll be forced into at least one change with captain Nathan Ralph having to sit this one out after his sending off on Saturday. With Harry Taylor and Louis Lomas unlikely to be fit, if they’re to stick again with 3 centre backs then it will have to be a makeshift person filling in - Cav Miley, Demi or Gus probably the most likely.

Of course they could try something different - maybe 4 at the back with Demi at left back?

It’s the midfield which seems to have come in for the most criticism over recent games with the lack of creativity from the centre a particular concern. We are bereft of options in that department - Husin just isn’t doing it at the moment, and perhaps the time has come to give Jack Wood a runout - after all he scored a shed load of goals last season when on loan at Tonbridge Angels.

Then of course it’s finding the right combination up front - we now have options in that department with Cardwell, Sandat, Dackers and Waldron but no combination of these has quite clicked yet.

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

One of the so cool dude shouts when I was still working was 'If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what the always got.' Maybe an Einstein update? - Nah, don't think so.

I'm resurrecting the Waldron/Cardwell partnership up front, with Jack Wood playing just behind them. In the absence of Nathan Ralph, Demi gets a run out with Morton starting in place of Noir Husin.

 

[Pak Power]

I don’t fancy JD against Sam Barret somehow

 

[Strykr]

One of the so cool dude shouts when I was still working was 'If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what the always got.' Maybe an Einstein update? - Nah, don't think so.

I'm resurrecting the Waldron/Cardwell partnership up front, with Jack Wood playing just behind them. In the absence of Nathan Ralph, Demi gets a run out with Morton starting in place of Noir Husin.

Thats what id try too, and tell wood to attack at all times with the other midfielders covering. Get the 3 of them training together.

 

[RHB]

I don’t fancy JD against Sam Barret somehow

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Fair play to all travelling Shrimpers, here’s hoping that they/we come away with some points

 

[SHRIMPERPETER]

Got to be back four with the players available?

 

[Voice of Reason]

Bit harsh

 

[Shrimper]

Feels like a must win

 

[Dutch Branch]

Feels like a must win

AGAIN !

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

Went more attacking too for personal choice but we all know it won't change

Colin
Gus crowther kensdale demi
Miley Morton
Coker wood bridge
Cardwell

Subs fonguck Husin sandat Waldron dackers

Or

Colin
Gus crowther kensdale demi
Miley coker Morton
Waldron cardwell bridge

Subs fonguck Husin sandat dackers wood

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Moreton in for Ralph with Cav dropping into defence. If I remember correctly Maidenhead at home was the game Cav dropped into defence and ran the game from there.

It was Albert Einstein who allegedly said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Our management team has rigidly stuck to the same formation (albeit with minor tweaks and slightly different personnel in various positions)

That quote seems superficially relevant until you dig a little deeper and factor in:

1. It worked really well earlier this season
2. We are talking about a sample size of just 4 matches
3. Our management team hasn’t actually done the same thing each time
4. Our opponents hasn’t also done the same thing each time

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Moreton in for Ralph with Cav dropping into defence. If I remember correctly Maidenhead at home was the game Cav dropped into defence and ran the game from there.



That quote seems superficially relevant until you dig a little deeper and factor in:

1. It worked really well earlier this season
2. We are talking about a sample size of just 4 matches
3. Our management team hasn’t actually done the same thing each time
4. Our opponents hasn’t also done the same thing each time

I accept all that, but if our opponents have now worked out various ways to blunt this formation because of how well it worked earlier in the season, is that not a reason to change things round?

Maybe we need to take a lesson from the Spanish Inquisition.

Our chief weapon can be surprise (nobody expects Kev to play 4 at the back),

Surprise and fear (our opponents fear Cardwell will get his mojo back and Danny Waldron will come good eventually)

Surprise, fear and ruthless efficiency (James Morton never wastes a pass)

Surprise, fear, ruthless efficiency and an almost fanatical devotion to the pope…. OK, I’ll stop now before I go on to nice red uniforms!



And for those younger members who haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about you should watch this for context!

 

[Gremlin]

Went more attacking too for personal choice but we all know it won't change

Colin
Gus crowther kensdale demi
Miley Morton
Coker wood bridge
Cardwell

Subs fonguck Husin sandat Waldron dackers

Or

Colin
Gus crowther kensdale demi
Miley coker Morton
Waldron cardwell bridge

Subs fonguck Husin sandat dackers wood

Or Collin!

 

[in the know]

doubt Sam barrat likes the idea either! Maybe a bit of bite is what we need.

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

I'm just hoping that I'll be able to see the game following last season's self imposed fog (when It was a clear night). Surely that must have been improved?........then there will only be our quality of play to worry about!

 

[Blue Yonder]

In our current form the suggestion of some for dropping Bridge or Noor, the two players most likely to create something going forward, for pretty much the only option available of a more defensive midfielder looks an odd move.