Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Barnet, Saturday 18th January, 15:00 k.o., NL

[Swiss Tony]

Barnet fan in peace. I haven't worked out yet how to actually post a comment so it was easier to reply to any comment as at least it will get me up a running. Always Always loved the Southend v Barnet games since winning 2-0 at Roots Hall in 1993. As I said I'm here in peace looking forward to the game on Saturday but I will say I was at the game in August at The Hive and Southend fans were brilliant. It was embarrassing you guys and gals had more supporters in the ground than Barnet did. I'm not going to hide behind the we need to be back at Underhill brigade but we probably do. I thought you guys would be Play Offs minimum this season, it maybe be next season but when it clicks Southend will win this division and hopefully we will have already gone up by then ..

Never mind your fan numbers BB you are proper fans giving your support,respect and amen to that.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

The only way I can see us winning this is for our players to all play out of their skins and for Barnet to be a bit rusty from the weekday trip against FGR with us nicking a goal, whilst keeping a clean sheet.

I just cannot get excited right now watching Southend these days and have found this season utterly boring from an entertainment perspective.

I would dearly love our midfielders to really get the ball forward from the off an at least one of our strikers to get off the mark but from what I have seen so far this season I am not exactly confident going into tomorrows game, especially after losing and not replacing BIM (the only proper striker we have left on our books).

I am normally a glass half full type person but also a realist and without COSU investing in a couple of proven journeymen (not continuous loanees in their early 20's) I can only see us climbing to a respectable 10th of the league come May which is where we are in terms of quality I think.

 

[lreed567]

Am hoping now Bonne will be the main man he will step up, there has been a few flashes where he looked good and may link well with Kendall up top, hopefully we will come out of the blocks and have a go as we usually do better that way, if we start slow it could be a long afternoon

 

[Holy Joe]

been ill

Yeah I know that's why he was on bench on Wed, but is he still ill or recovered?

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Just swapped our West stand tickets to North bank, no charge this time so saved £13 thankyou COSU. Still having to book on a game by game basis.
SING UP SOUTHEND 🗣

 

[Hadleigh-shrimper]

Think bonne and Kendall could work well

 

[mattytheshrimper]

Am hoping now Bonne will be the main man he will step up

Problem is, everyone's been saying that for a fair while now. He's had plenty of easy chances but can't hit a barn door so far. Currently we have an extremely average midfield who rarely offer any goals and four strikers who have, what, 2 goals between them. It would be great for someone to step up but so far (Kendell excluded because he's very new) I've seen nothing to suggest they're capable. Happy to be proved wrong but the recruitment on these players has been very poor. I actually think Walker plays better when replacing Bridge on the left wing like he has done a couple times this season. Waldron just can't stay fit but even when he was he's never offered a great goal return.

 

[cerbera45]

Underhill great awayday. The ‘hive’. Piece of crap in the middle of a desolate park.

we're at home this week tbf

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

I totally disagree that Boone makes very little in terms of decent runs or movement.
If you watch him. I will agree outside the box, he makes a lot of decent runs, passes and pulls opposition players out of position. For others to shoot.
Yes I totally get he has a shocking scoring record but his build up play is very good.
There is a very good player in there but at the moment he is not fulfilling what we signed him for.
It will come but time is more or less up. I would start him on Saturday as Wednesday will Kendall, but even though I was at Boston I could not see in the seven minutes if it could work.

I’d personally play Bonne to the right of a front 3 but not sure we’ve got that luxury or that Kev would play that formation.

Maybe alongside Kendall, if Kendall can be the focal point and they can get an understanding going, Bonne can find space. It’s whether when he does, we can then find him. Or whether he can then finish ..

 

[lreed567]

Problem is, everyone's been saying that for a fair while now. He's had plenty of easy chances but can't hit a barn door so far. Currently we have an extremely average midfield who rarely offer any goals and four strikers who have, what, 2 goals between them. It would be great for someone to step up but so far (Kendell excluded because he's very new) I've seen nothing to suggest they're capable. Happy to be proved wrong but the recruitment on these players has been very poor. I actually think Walker plays better when replacing Bridge on the left wing like he has done a couple times this season. Waldron just can't stay fit but even when he was he's never offered a great goal return.

I do agree, I think it's more out of hope than expectations with Bonne, but you never know

 

[RHB]

Segregation may be a bit of a problem tomorrow. I spent a short while on the Barnet site and some theirs reckon they were able to buy tickets in the first 3 North Stand Blocks, not knowing that they were for home supporters only. If that is correct it may explain the less than expected away seat numbers.

 

[SHRIMPERPETER]

Harness
GSM. Taylor. Golding. Ralph
Coker. Morton. Miley
Bonne. Kendall. Walker
4-3-3

 

[EdgwareShrimp]

Fingers crossed your club can get themselves back to Barnet and hopefully see an uptick in crowds. Had some great memories visiting the old Underhill a few times and the Old Red Lion pub right next door that looks like it's been knocked down and houses built on the land

Thanks to everyone that liked my original post. I have a few mates that are Southend fans and the banter between us keeps it rivalry but friendly. The Old Red Lion used to be the pub where Away fans would drink before staggering down to Underhill. It has gone as you said just like the sloping Underhill pitch. If we ever do get back to Underhill then The Queens Arms is still open .... just the other side of the bridge from where The Old Red Lion used to be. I've got many memories of away days in Southend and probably some of the boozers have bit the dust now ..

 

[EdgwareShrimp]

Underhill was a cracking away day.

Sure there was a big pub called the beehive right outside. Big old boozer.

That's a new one to me but would be a great name for a boozer

 

[EdgwareShrimp]

Underhill great awayday. The ‘hive’. Piece of crap in the middle of a desolate park.

Most Barnet fans would salute you sir for being so vocal

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher is keen for Blues to get their own back on Barnet tomorrow.

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[RobB11]

Hopefully bonne reads this and busts a gut trying to prove wrong but… bonne will not score a goal for us, how anybody still thinks he should start is staggering, rather play one up top and add an extra body in midfield for more sideways passes.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher is facing selection dilemmas ahead of Saturday’s clash with Barnet.

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[RHB]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher is facing selection dilemmas ahead of Saturday’s clash with Barnet.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher is facing selection dilemmas ahead of Saturday’s clash with Barnet.



The Shrimpers head coach brought in goalkeeper Nathan Harness on loan from MK Dons earlier this week.

But, with Collin Andeng Ndi back in training after recovering from an illness, Maher must mull over who to pick between the sticks.

“Collin has trained which is good,” said Maher.

“We’ll have to decide what’s best on that front and decide what’s the best way to go.”


Harness started Wednesday's night’s clash at Boston United but the match had to be abandoned after just seven minutes due to fog.

Macauley Bonne and Charley Kendall started in attack but Josh Walker is now edging closer to full fitness – giving Maher another decision to make.

“Josh has been able to get some more training in which puts him closer,” said Maher.

“We’ve got decision to make in that area too.”

The Shrimpers will again be without centre-back Adam Crowther who has a knee issue but Jack Wood could be in contention for a place in the squad after his loan spell at Torquay United expired.

As things stand, no new signings are expected to be completed ahead of the game.

 

[Ricey]

Start Jack Wood.