Question Southend’s midfield

[Tommy2holes]

Given that we have a depleted squad under an embargo is it possible that this actually benefits our midfield?

Imho we have one of if not the best midfields in the division.

Miley, husin, fonguck are all excellent on the ball.

We have Mooney and Bridge out wide.

And Coker and Wood eager to impress. Both look real prospects.

There can't be many sides with such quality in the middle of the park.

I know we are short up top and in defence but our midfield is class.

 

[SouthendSpence]

Agree a great MF.

However, I don't see how being under an embargo or having a depleted squad can ever be of a benefit, but yes, I am thankful for what we do have!

 

[Strykr]

Yes pretty decent midfield. Desperately need them to score more this year though as light up top.

 

[Russ.K]

Midfield really is excellent, however, a spate of injuries must be a massive worry.

 

[overseas shrimper]

Given that we have a depleted squad under an embargo is it possible that this actually benefits our midfield?

Imho we have one of if not the best midfields in the division.

Miley, husin, fonguck are all excellent on the ball.

We have Mooney and Bridge out wide.

And Coker and Wood eager to impress. Both look real prospects.

There can't be many sides with such quality in the middle of the park.

I know we are short up top and in defence but our midfield is class.

It does look like we have a decent midfield, but how does the embargo benefit us in any way?

It's something you'd expect RM to say.

 

[Fairport]

Lack of goals is the major problem especially with Fonguck and Husin. IMO, Wood, Mooney and Coker should be starting more often, their goalscoring record is much better.

 

[Tommy2holes]

It does look like we have a decent midfield, but how does the embargo benefit us in any way?

It's something you'd expect RM to say.

I meant from the perspective that wood and Coker will actually get games. Had we signed several other players they would likely be loaned out again.

Should they come through and step up then we have saleable assets which we may not have realised without restrictions.

 

[Bromley Blue]

I meant from the perspective that wood and Coker will actually get games. Had we signed several other players they would likely be loaned out again.

Should they come through and step up then we have saleable assets which we may not have realised without restrictions.

In that scenario it only really benefits us if Wood and Coker outperform level-wise what experienced players in the same position would have offered.

That’s a total unknown obviously but clubs tend to go with experienced players more often than not as they’re more reliable over a longer period of time. It’s important not to get carried away with one performance because the form of young players can fluctuate more than experienced players.

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

Given that we have a depleted squad under an embargo is it possible that this actually benefits our midfield?

Imho we have one of if not the best midfields in the division.

Miley, husin, fonguck are all excellent on the ball.

We have Mooney and Bridge out wide.

And Coker and Wood eager to impress. Both look real prospects.

There can't be many sides with such quality in the middle of the park.

I know we are short up top and in defence but our midfield is class.

I tend to agree Tommy.
Coker, as I said in my match report, looks a different specimen this year. I saw him
come on at Chesterfield early last season and he didn't look ready, either technically or physically. However on Saturday he seems to have grown into a man over the summer and has bulked up. His skill on the ball was fantastic for the 15/20 minutes he was on the pitch.
I'm not sure he would have got much of a look in early doors had Kev been allowed to bring in his transfer targets.

The real key in terms of our midfield is Cav Miley. If we were to lose him through injury/ suspension, particularly whilst we remain under the embargo, then I think we would really struggle to control games as much as we do currently with him in the side.

As much as I was impressed with Fonguck's performance for the first 60 mins on Saturday, I'm still yet to see him do it over the full 90. In the interim though, that at least allows young Coker to gain valuable minutes and build his confidence up.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

I said it in the build up to the game and most certainly during it, how we've kept hold of Miley I do not know. He just oozes class on the ball and always seems to have time and make the right decision. My worry is if he keeps playing well, we lose him. The window is open until March for us.

Husin looked like his old self and Wes had his best game. I always knew that all he had to do was take those gloves off and he'd do alright!

We need this takeover to happen, not just to sign players but to tie down our stars too.

 

[overseas shrimper]

I meant from the perspective that wood and Coker will actually get games. Had we signed several other players they would likely be loaned out again.

Should they come through and step up then we have saleable assets which we may not have realised without restrictions.

In that case, I do see your point, although I would think the management team would know how good the 2 youngsters are and if they are ready for first team appearances any way. You could even argue that, with an injury or 2 in MF to more experienced players (or fatigue / bookings), they get too much too soon. Only time will tell.

In an ideal world, Coker and Wood break through in a squad not under embargo on merit alone.

 

[duncan bulgaria]

That midfield should be aiming to score in excess of 40 goals collectively IMO and below are realistic targets for the quality they possess and the amount of chances we create

Mooney - 8
Bridge - 8
Cav - 6
Coker -8
Wes - 5
Husin -5
Wood- 6