Official Match Thread Altrincham v Southend United

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we all are, our eighteenth away game in the Vanarama National League of the 2022/23 season. This is the Dream Team’s 34th away game since they were appointed Mighty Shrimpers.

Our 18th away match is against Altrincham



It is now time for ALL of us to get behind Kevin, Darren, Mark and the team whether you are at Meadow Park, listening on the radio, or listening on Blues TV, or on National League TV.

The Dream Team’s Southend United Vanarama National League Away Team against Altrincham



J. Davidson Stadium is ready for action at 15.00 hrs Saturday 25th March 2023. It looks like we will have light rain showers with a moderate breeze for the game, with an expected temperature of 11°C, but feel like 9°C.



The weather forecast for this afternoon’s at J. Davidson Stadium



Current National League away record after 17 away games

Won 6
Drawn 4
Lost 7
Goals scored 18
Goals conceded 21

League Positions Last Season

13th (2021/22) Vanarama National League Southend United
14th (2021/22) Vanarama National League Altrincham

League Positions Current Season

10th (2022/23) Vanarama National League Southend United
13th (2022/23) Vanarama National League Altrincham

Recent League Positions Change


Previous Meetings

We have only meet Altrincham three before in our history

Southend United 2-2 Altrincham (Vanarama National League 03/121/22 Att. 5,593)
Altrincham 1-2 Southend United (Vanarama National League 27/11/21 Att. 1,288)
Southend United 2-0 Altrincham (Vanarama National League 19/03/22 Att. 5,976)

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 2
Draws: 1
Altrincham Wins 0

Current Form

Southend United W L L L L L
Altrincham W D L L W L

Current Form Table (Last 6 Games)



Come On You Yellows!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Altrincham

Altrincham Manager interview with The Messenger before the visit of Southend United

Altrincham Manager Phil Parkinson

Phil Parkinson urged Altrincham fans to turn The J.Davidson Stadium into a fortress after the Robins finally brought a run of six successive away games to an end with a narrow defeat at Eastleigh on Saturday.​

A round trip of 420 miles to the south coast and back represented the longest of Alty’s away-day journeys, and though promotion-chasing Eastleigh shaded it 3-2, there was plenty to hearten Parkinson as he prepared to welcome Southend United to The J.Davidson on Non-League Day this coming Saturday.

The Alty boss sprang to the defence of keeper Ollie Byrne for letting a back-pass slip past him for Eastleigh’s opening goal, as he said: “That’s the best we have played for a long time, particularly in the first half.

“I don’t know how they have scored three goals against us, because it wasn’t warranted.

“We dominated for long spells and missed three really good tap-in opportunities.

“We should have drawn the game, and it would have been no surprise if we’d won, given the chances we had.

“We made a mistake for the first goal, but if you’re going to play out from the back, rather than just be an A to B team, that sort of thing can occasionally occur.

“It can happen that a player is not in position to receive a pass. It’s not an Ollie Byrne thing. It happens in the Premier League and to the best teams in this division.

“Now I can’t wait to spend some time at our home ground.

“It has been gruelling, really tough. It feels like I’ve lived on a coach for the past month.

“We’ve got five home games still to come, and I hope our fans will make it a fortress again on Saturday.

“The lads have had an amazing season so far, so let’s help them make the town proud by finishing higher than anyone expected.”

Robins midfielder Josh Lundstram played the full 90 minutes on his international debut as England C beat Wales C 1-0 with a goal from Barnet’s Ryan De Havilland at Alty on Tuesday night.

Link to interview
Link

Southend United

Kevin Maher speaks to Blues TV ahead of this afternoon’s game against Altrincham

Kevin Maher during his interview on Blues TV​

Link to interview
Link

Kevin Maher speaks to Southend United OS looking ahead of this afternoon’s game against Altrincham

Southend United’s head coach Kevin Maher​

Kevin Maher says it’s been a positive week at Boots & Laces in preparation to face Altrincham away from home on Saturday.

In a rare week without a Tuesday fixture, Blues took the chance to play a practice game against Leyton Orient, which allowed several players to get up to speed with their fitness.

Head Coach Maher said: "We’ve had Saturday, Tuesday the last few weeks, so to have the week we’ve had is pleasing.

"We had a behind-closed-doors game to get minutes into some lads, which was good for them, and they all came through that okay. We’ve managed to get a good bit of training into them as well and boost their confidence, which leads into Saturday well.

"With the amount of games we’ve had, it’s been difficult to get any games into people that have needed them. It was important because you need that rhythm and it gives people an opportunity to hopefully be involved.

"Hydey [Jake Hyde] got minutes on the pitch and got a couple of goals so he becomes part of the thinking for the weekend.”

Despite a disappointing performance last time out against Aldershot Town, Maher feels the wrongs of that display will be put right, and is as keen as ever to return to winning ways.

"The frustrating thing was that we were 1-0 up at half-time at home. We didn’t kick on, which can dent your confidence a bit, but they’re an honest bunch and they’ve worked properly through the week.

"It hasn’t changed how they are as a group. There are periods of the season that don’t go your way and there are periods that do go your way, and you see that throughout the league.

"It’s about getting yourself out of that bit of bad form as quickly as possible, and we’ve got to do that at the weekend. There are nine games to go, and we’ve got to approach each one wanting to win."

Altrincham are the opponents on Saturday, and the Head Coach knows his team will have to be at it. “We had a decent draw at our place, so we know the strengths they bring. It’s always a tough place to go and we’ve got to be ready and fight for every ball.”

Meanwhile, Gus Scott-Morriss picked up an international cap on Tuesday, playing for England C against Wales C. It’s no less than the wing-back’s performances have warranted, said Maher. “I was delighted for him and it’s fully deserved to get to call-up, and to play and do well as well.

“He’s been brilliant for us and it highlights the work he’s done for him to get that opportunity. He’s been back in amongst it today [Thursday], but he’s had a big game on a tough pitch so we’ve had to manage him and get him ready for the weekend.”

Tickets for the game at the J Davidson Stadium are available here.

Link to interview
Link

Kevin Maher speaks to Chris Phillips at The Echo ahead of this afternoon’s game against Altrincham

Staying focused – Southend United boss Kevin Maher​

Southend United boss Kevin Maher is certain the Shrimpers can still achieve ‘something’ this season - but he is not thinking beyond tomorrow’s trip to Altrincham.

Blues have slipped to 10th in the National League table, eight points below the play-off places, after suffering five defeats in succession.

But Maher is confident his side have what it takes to work their way back into the top seven before the end of the season.

“First and foremost we can still achieve something this year and that starts on Saturday,” said Maher.

“We won’t look too far ahead.

“We’ll go into Saturday full throttle and look to pick something up there before going onto Tuesday.”

Blues will also head into the game this weekend having had a clear week to prepare.

And, after a hectic schedule in recent weeks, a lack of a midweek match has been welcomed by Maher.

“We’ve been busy the last few weeks playing Saturday, Tuesday so to have the week we’ve had is pleasing,” said Maher.

“There are periods in a season that go your way and periods that don’t.

“You see that momentum with different teams throughout the league.

“But there’s nine games to go and there’s plenty of football still to be played.”

Altrincham sit three places and four points behind Blues in the standings ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

And Maher is expecting another stern test on the road.

“We had a decent draw at our place against them and we know the strengths they bring,” said Maher.

“It’s a tough place to go but we have to focus on what we can do and how we think we can hurt them.

“They will be thinking the same way but it’s a tough game.

“We’ve got to be ready and we’ve got to fight for every ball if we’re going to come out on top.”

Link to interview
Link

Big Preview

Altrincham v Southend United
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Overview​

Blues begin a week on the road with a trip to Altrincham, looking to reduce the gap on the play-offs from eight points.

A recent run of difficult fixtures has taken its toll, and after good performances against Wrexham and Boreham Wood went unrewarded, Aldershot Town took three points away from Roots Hall last time out.

That’s left us facing an uphill task to extend our season beyond the regular 46 matches, but these players have shown before what they can achieve in adversity and with nine games to go, there’s still plenty of opportunity to get points on the board.

After the journey north on Saturday, we go to relegation-threatened Dorking Wanderers and Yeovil Town in a crucial run of games that could see us get back in play-off contention.

The opposition​

Having transitioned to a full-time club last summer, Altrincham continue to go from strength to strength and punch above their weight.

Following finishes of 17th and 14th in the last two seasons, the Robins are continuing to establish themselves in the fifth tier after two promotions in three seasons to get back to this level.

They’ve given themselves a great chance of improving on their final position again, as they currently sit in 13th, just three points away from a top-half place. The Robins did win three in a row a month ago, and all were impressive victories, against Woking, Barnet and Solihull Moors.

Since then, Phil Parkinson’s men have only won one in five in the league, but did see off York City to progress to the semi-finals of the Isuzu FA Trophy, where they will face FC Halifax Town.

They’ve lost a couple of key players in recent months, such as Ryan Colclough and Chris Conn-Clarke, but Tyrese Sinclair has come in from Rochdale and made a good start. Other key Altrincham players include James Jones, Josh Lundstram and Elliot Osborne.

Previous meetings​

The only three games between the two clubs have come since Blues were relegated to the Vanarama National League, and we are yet to lose to the Robins.

We picked up a crucial win at the J Davidson Stadium last season. The goalscorers were Rhys Murphy and Sam Dalby in a 2-1 victory. In Essex, it was another Southend win, this one by two goals to nil. Nathan Ralph and Matt Dennis were the players to find the net.

Back in December, it was a 2-2 draw at Roots Hall, with Jack Bridge and Chris Wreh on the scoresheet in an entertaining clash.

From the boss​

In Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Head Coach Kevin Maher was asked about how he’s found this week with no midweek fixture. "We’ve had Saturday, Tuesday the last few weeks, so to have the week we’ve had is pleasing.

"We had a behind-closed-doors game to get minutes into some lads, which was good for them, and they all came through that okay.

“We’ve managed to get a good bit of training into them as well and boost their confidence, which leads into Saturday well.

"With the amount of games we’ve had, it’s been difficult to get any games into people that have needed them. It was important because you need that rhythm and it gives people an opportunity to hopefully be involved.

“We had a decent draw with Altrincham at our place, so we know the strengths they bring. It’s always a tough place to go and we’ve got to be ready and fight for every ball.”

Blues team news​

Noor Husin is out with the ankle injury that he suffered in the closing stages of the defeat at Boreham Wood.

Jake Hyde played and scored twice in the behind-closed-doors game on Tuesday and is in contention to be selected, while Collin Andeng Ndi also played in that fixture as he works his way back.

Ref watch​

Steven Copeland is the man in the middle for this one. Copeland has refereed at National League level since 2019/20. Of his 50 games in the division to date, only one has involved Blues – the home defeat to Notts County last season.

He is yet to show a red card in 14 National League games this season. Copeland’s assistants are Daniel Robinson and Niall Felton, and the fourth official is Jonathan Chadwick.

Tickets​

Tickets can be purchased on the hosts’ ticketing site here, making sure ‘Away’ is selected.

Blues fans will all be housed in the Hale End terrace behind one goal, which holds around 1,500.

Tickets are priced at:

Adults £19
Concessions (65+, students, NHS workers) £15
Under-18s £7
Under-12s £2

Elsewhere in the National League​

All 24 Vanarama National League clubs play at 3pm on Saturday. A local derby between Wealdstone and Barnet is live on BT Sport.

Two of the teams Blues are looking to catch, Boreham Wood and Eastleigh, play each other in Hertfordshire, while Solihull Moors visit Oldham Athletic.

At the wrong end of the table, Gateshead travel to Aldershot Town, Dorking Wanderers entertain Maidenhead United, and Yeovil Town host Bromley.

Aldershot Town v Gateshead
Boreham Wood v Eastleigh
Chesterfield v FC Halifax Town
Dorking Wanderers v Maidenhead United
Maidstone United v Woking
Notts County v Scunthorpe United
Oldham Athletic v Solihull Moors
Torquay United v Dagenham & Redbridge
Wealdstone v Barnet
Wrexham v York City
Yeovil Town v Bromley

How to follow​

Blues fans unable to attend The J Davidson Stadium can stream the match live wherever you are in the world for just £9.50! To register, visit this link, and to subscribe, go here and select the Saturday 25 March Match Pass.

You can also follow all the live action by subscribing to Blues TV where you’ll get live match commentary from the BBC Essex team from all first-team matches this season.

Blues TV costs £4.49 per month, with your subscription not only giving you match commentary, but also exclusive access to extended match highlights, full pre-match press conferences, interviews, features and more.

Another option is to follow live minute-by-minute updates on social media via the club’s official Twitter account @SUFCRootsHall, which will ensure you get all the latest news and more throughout the 2022/23 season.

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BBC ESSEX Radio

BBC Essex Link



Watch on Vanarama National League TV Live Stream

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National League TV

Previous Meeting

Come On You Yellows!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Altrincham Team

 

[The Big Dady]

One change for the Shrimpers

The alteration comes in midfield where Harry Taylor is recalled and replaces Dan Mooney who drops down onto the bench against his former side.

 

[RHB]

Feels a defensive line up from the off.

 

[hlane17]

That lineup has made my mind up for me, don't fancy the match pass today

 

[Harry Bullocks]

One change for the Shrimpers

The alteration comes in midfield where Harry Taylor is recalled and replaces Dan Mooney who drops down onto the bench against his former side.

Nice 👍🏻 one Big Dady

 

[leeblue]

We don't score goals.
So keep the same formation.
Take out a very offensive minded player for a decidedly defensive player in a midfield that seem allergic to getting forward.
Got it.
Southend nil.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

OTS when you can please Big Daddy.

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Come on you Shrimpers

 

[Sufc.2008]

Not sure I can be bothered to buy the match pass given that even more defensive than usual lineup.

 

[wiggy]

That decision just about sums up Kev the crab and why we are going nowhere with him at the helm. He is dreaming about play offs....and to make it even more just a dream...goes defensive when you need the points .....put Currie in charge next year, far more passionate and can't be more defensive than Maher!

 

[Leeboy]

Sandat there but not selected. Surely he deserves another start?

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher has made one change to his starting line-up for this afternoon’s clash at Altrincham.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United are in action at Altrincham this afternoon. Follow the action live here.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[Cricko]

We don't score goals.
So keep the same formation.
Take out a very offensive minded player for a decidedly defensive player in a midfield that seem allergic to getting forward.
Got it.
Southend nil.

Agreed, I really don't understand at this stage of the season why we are so defensive. We have already shown we score very few goals with that line up.
Can only see another loss today

 

[nick12]

Very strange 🤔 if there is any slim hope of the play offs we should be setting out as attack, attack, attack. Otherwise makes no difference if we finish 9th or 14th 🤷

JB expected to work miracles again I guess with 3 defenders on him 🤦

Let's hope we can at least put a stop to this woeful run we are on 🤞🏻

UTB 💙

 

[The Big Dady]

OTS when you can please Big Daddy.

Here you go

 

[Rob1920]

Just like winning runs losing runs have to end somewhere. Will it end today? God knows. I’ll take a draw however it comes from this one to stop the rot.

 

[Tony Allen]

We are not going to get relegated so the match is a free hit surely