Pre-Match Thread Boreham Wood v Southend United, Saturday 10th December *MATCH POSTPONED*

[Shrimpergonzo]

Whether you see our current form as three games without a win, or the first game of our latest unbeaten run depends on whether you’re a glass half full/empty type of person. It also may depend on the result of Saturday’s trip to North London/South Hertfordshire to the football club who inexplicably split the name of the place they’re based in (South End United anyone?).

Boreham Wood are going well again this season and this is the first of two consecutive Saturday games against them as we also play them at home in the FA Trophy on 17/12. They have already turned us over 1-0 at Roots Hall on the first day of the season and their league form of late has been a bit mixed with their 2-1 win at home to Oldham on Tuesday evening (in front of only 801 fans) their only league victory in the last 5 games. They did also win a cup replay at Bristol Rovers during this run.

They have some familiar faces in midfield with popular former loanee Zak Brunt lining up for them along with local lad and former SHSB pupil Josh Rees, who has always looked impressive when I’ve seen him. Defender Cameron Coxe is on loan to The Wood from Col Ewe if you’re looking for an obvious boo-boy on Saturday afternoon.

The off the pitch doom and gloom seems to have transferred onto the pitch too and although I’m sure the rhetoric in the pre-match interviews will be that they’ve had a good week on the training ground (have you ever read an interview when a manager has said the opposite?) the proof of this will be the on pitch performance come 2.00 (yes, it’s an early kick off again) on Saturday afternoon.

Hopefully some of the injured strikers are nearing a return now as without Dan Mooney as well (as seems likely) we’re looking very powderpuff up top and it may even be time to stick Hobbo up there! Elsewhere it seems Blondy is our only option between the sticks for a while now and hopefully our fans will back rather than berate him, remembering he’s just a young man too and goalkeeping is very much a confidence game.

Will Kev be thinking it’s time for other changes too? Poor Louis Lomas hasn’t done much wrong when selected but can’t seem to get a game. Is it time for a change of formation?

Here’s your chance to select the starting XI and predict the result. You know what to do!

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

I'll be attending this one and I'm questioning my decision. Not because of us but because of them. The game there last season was a carbon copy of the home game this season. If they go a goal up it becomes absolute torture to watch. Let's just hope the ball is in play for longer!

In terms of team selection, it's who comes in for Mooney. I wouldn't mind seeing two strikers actually fill those front two slots. So if that means Cosgrave instead of Cardwell because he isn't fit enough, so be it.

The rest of the team picks itself really. Can't see him recalling Kensdale and dropping his captain. Although Ralph didn't play well at all on Saturday. Let's just hope it's a fitness thing.

What ever the team, let's get behind the boys and in particular the keeper. We have him for the next 8 weeks and he needs our encouragement.

UTB.

 

[Fairport]

If Cards or another striker is fit then we should get a decent result, hopefully the game will be on, could be frosty on Saturday.

 

[Barling Magna]

If Cards or another striker is fit

Boreham Wood have a, ahem, robust style of play - i.e. if Cards is fit they will just kick him off the pitch.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

I am usually a half glass full man but I just cannot see how we can win this one with a suspect keeper and possibly no strike force but with Southend you never know.

Would be happy with a draw, then hopefully get a few players back for the Halifax game and win that.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

I recall from our last visit it was very slow in getting into the ground as they dont have many turnstiles so dont be late in turning up

 

[Target man]

Have to say it'll be a different game to the one at home on the first day of the season..

I've seen them a few times this season and Boreham are not as physical as they were then. There has definitely been a shift in the style of football. They can mix it up as we know, but do also try to play and have players that can offer both styles.... but you can get at them as I've recently seen.

They have a smaller squad than most, and usually set up as a 4-4-2, switching during the game to 5-3-2 with a central back 3, or 5-4-1, depending on the situation. The manager Garard is a smart operator and the team is tactically aware and ready to switch. However, injuries have cost them in key areas.


Starting with the keeper Ashworth, one of the best in the division. We'll have to watch his huge kicks!

Dion Kelly-Evans was brought in from Notts at RWB, but has been out most of the season. Will Evans, arguably their best centre back, filled In there but is also currently out. They've brought in Kyron Gordon, young lad on loan from Sheff Utd who has come in and done well, slotting in at right back or in a back 3, which they change during the game to suit the scenario, with Coxe in the right, who is able to get forward or slot in at RWB. Gordon is still learning, a decent footballer, but could be tested by Bridge.

Big David Stephens at the back is strong, solid in the air but slow. Again Bridgey is the key, and could exploit space behind him.

Fyfield is equally good in the air.

The left back, Femi Ilesanmi, is very strong and tough to get past .... good in the tackle, but poor on the ball when under pressure and tends to give possession away. We can definitely get some joy against him when pressing.

The middle will be a battle.

Boreham's best two in there are Brunt, who's qualities we know about, and his Sheff Utd team mate, George Broadbent, who picks up some good positions when Brunt has the ball. Both equally can deliver a quality ball into the box, and get on the end of one running from deep. If we're to get joy on Saturday, we'll need to shut Brunt out who is the key to everything. Payne will sit behind them protecting the space between defence and midfield.
Cav Miley is going to be very key for us on Saturday and needs to be on it in that area, a player Boreham are aware of.

Up top, Danny Newton will put himself about and make a nuisance, drifting into wide positions and in the hole. We need to watch his runs. He has a goal or two in him aswell.

Finishing with Lee Ndlovu, an absolute beast in the box who leads the line brilliantly. Kacper and Hobbo will need to be on their game because he's on top form, coming away with a brace on Tuesday against Oldham.

Key to the game:

Kacper v Ndlovu
Miley v Brunt
GSM v Brunt
Wreh v Illesanmi
Bridge v Gordon/Stephens

And we must avoid giving corners away, as Brunt more often than not, finds a player to attack the ball. They use this to their strengths.

Boreham have one or two at the back who will hoof it, but a number of boys who will try to play football also. The pitch is maintained by Arsenal so in good condition and will certainly suit our side if we can keep it on the floor. We'll need to be alert off the ball, and ruthless in the final third.

 

[Harry Bullocks]

If we are ‘powder puff’ up front due to injuries, maybe Kev will recall a certain Bilel Moshni, an out and out defender but used up front to very good effect.
Hobson seems to know where the net is and is of size to counter Boreham’s robust style of play.
This would allow Lomas who can’t seem to buy himself a slot in the team to fill the gap.

 

[Target man]

If Cards or another striker is fit then we should get a decent result, hopefully the game will be on, could be frosty on Saturday.

Cards should be back....

 

[JD]

Streaming available for £4.75?

 

[Smiffy]

National League TV is Live! The Vanarama National League is delighted to announce a two- week trial phase of its new streaming service National League TV.​

Fans can subscribe at www.nationalleaguetv.com and start streaming National Division matches from Saturday 10th December 2022.

During the trial phase, match day passes for each round of National League games will be at a reduced price of £4.75. Fans will have the ability to switch between any National Division match streamed on any given match day.

The National League will be using the first two-week trial period, to launch further platform functionalities ahead of its full launch.

 

[Target man]

Viewing by satellite is highly appt for this as that's where the ball will be most of the time!

 

[Zeuss]

Cards should be back....

IF big IF there’s a decent ref, B Wood will be getting both yellows and reds.

 

[Shrimper Brownie]

Come on Blues give these lot a good thrashing, they deserve it after the home game, dirty *****

 

[The Big Dady]

National League TV is Live! The Vanarama National League is delighted to announce a two- week trial phase of its new streaming service National League TV.​

Fans can subscribe at www.nationalleaguetv.com and start streaming National Division matches from Saturday 10th December 2022.

During the trial phase, match day passes for each round of National League games will be at a reduced price of £4.75. Fans will have the ability to switch between any National Division match streamed on any given match day.

The National League will be using the first two-week trial period, to launch further platform functionalities ahead of its full launch.

All signed up and ready to go !

 

[Shrimpet steve]

Whether you see our current form as three games without a win, or the first game of our latest unbeaten run depends on whether you’re a glass half full/empty type of person. It also may depend on the result of Saturday’s trip to North London/South Hertfordshire to the football club who inexplicably split the name of the place they’re based in (South End United anyone?).

Boreham Wood are going well again this season and this is the first of two consecutive Saturday games against them as we also play them at home in the FA Trophy on 17/12. They have already turned us over 1-0 at Roots Hall on the first day of the season and their league form of late has been a bit mixed with their 2-1 win at home to Oldham on Tuesday evening (in front of only 801 fans) their only league victory in the last 5 games. They did also win a cup replay at Bristol Rovers during this run.

They have some familiar faces in midfield with popular former loanee Zak Brunt lining up for them along with local lad and former SHSB pupil Josh Rees, who has always looked impressive when I’ve seen him. Defender Cameron Coxe is on loan to The Wood from Col Ewe if you’re looking for an obvious boo-boy on Saturday afternoon.

The off the pitch doom and gloom seems to have transferred onto the pitch too and although I’m sure the rhetoric in the pre-match interviews will be that they’ve had a good week on the training ground (have you ever read an interview when a manager has said the opposite?) the proof of this will be the on pitch performance come 2.00 (yes, it’s an early kick off again) on Saturday afternoon.

Hopefully some of the injured strikers are nearing a return now as without Dan Mooney as well (as seems likely) we’re looking very powderpuff up top and it may even be time to stick Hobbo up there! Elsewhere it seems Blondy is our only option between the sticks for a while now and hopefully our fans will back rather than berate him, remembering he’s just a young man too and goalkeeping is very much a confidence game.

Will Kev be thinking it’s time for other changes too? Poor Louis Lomas hasn’t done much wrong when selected but can’t seem to get a game. Is it time for a change of formation?

Here’s your chance to select the starting XI and predict the result. You know what to do!

Your completely wrong about the doom and gloom being transferred to the pitch! The players have all been paid so there is no reason for the players to not perform! The issue is our sick note strikers who cant get themselves fit! That's the only issue we have with the playing side of things.They are majorly letting the club down and affecting results,not ron!!

 

[Target man]

Your completely wrong about the doom and gloom being transferred to the pitch! The players have all been paid so there is no reason for the players to not perform! The issue is our sick note strikers who cant get themselves fit! That's the only issue we have with the playing side of things.They are majorly letting the club down and affecting results,not ron!!

How are players letting the club down by being injured?? It's part of the game ...

Have you considered Ron is underfunding the medical department??? Sorry but I'm aware of some things not right in that department over the last year so you're wide of the mark.

 

[RHB]

Your completely wrong about the doom and gloom being transferred to the pitch! The players have all been paid so there is no reason for the players to not perform! The issue is our sick note strikers who cant get themselves fit! That's the only issue we have with the playing side of things.They are majorly letting the club down and affecting results,not ron!!

You're entitled to your view @Shrimpet steve but if you genuinely believe that events at the club are not affecting the team, and it's down to our injured players letting the team down then I could be forgiven for thinking you are a wind up merchant. If you actually mean what you say then I'm lost for words.

 

[sufc4life21]

Your completely wrong about the doom and gloom being transferred to the pitch! The players have all been paid so there is no reason for the players to not perform! The issue is our sick note strikers who cant get themselves fit! That's the only issue we have with the playing side of things.They are majorly letting the club down and affecting results,not ron!!

Come on Steve, players are being paid late and staff aren't paid at all. It's going to create a negative atmosphere which ultimately translate to the pitch.

 

[Maroon Blue]

Come on Steve, players are being paid late and staff aren't paid at all. It's going to create a negative atmosphere which ultimately translate to the pitch.

Plus also we are in an embargo which meant we could not extend Dackers loan nor get in other loanees for our injury hit striking department. But that's not Ron's fault eh Shrimpet Steve?!?! Stunned by your comments.