Official Match Thread Oldham Athletic v Southend United

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we are the seventeenth away game of the 2020/21 season and Mark Molesley’s 17th away game since he was appointed Manager of the Mighty Shrimpers.

Our 17th away match is against Oldham Athletic is our 7th from last away game of the season.


It is now time for ALL of us to get behind Mark and the team whether you are at Boundary Park in spirit, listening on the radio, or listening/watching on ifollow.

Mark Molesley’s Southend United League Two Away Team against Oldham Athletic



Boundary Park is ready for action at 15.00 hrs Saturday 6th March 2021. It looks like we will have light cloud this afternoon with also a light wind for the match, it will still feel cold.





The weather forecast for this afternoon at Boundary Park



Current League away record after 16 away games

Won 3
Drawn 5
Lost 8
Goals scored 8
Goals conceded 24

League Positions Last Season

22nd (2019/20) League One Southend United (Relegated)
19th (2019/20) League Two Oldham Athletic

League Positions Current Season

17th (2020/21) League Two Oldham Athletic
22nd (2020/21) League Two Southend United

Recent League Positions Change


Previous Meetings

Southend United 1-2 Oldham Athletic (L2 27/10/20 Att. 0 Covid)
Oldham Athletic 0-3 Southend United (L1 24/04/18 Att. 3,362)
Southend United 2-0 Oldham Athletic (L1 02/12/17 Att. 5,608)
Southend United 3-0 Oldham Athletic (L1 01/04/17 Att. 7,617)
Oldham Athletic 0-2 Southend United (L1 17/12/16 Att. 3,414)

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 17
Draws: 11
Oldham Athletic Wins: 13

Current Form

Oldham Athletic L D L W L
Southend United D L W D L


Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Oldham Athletic

Harry Kewell Oldham Athletic's manger talks to their OS before the game against Southend United

Oldham Athletic Manager Harry Kewell​

The Head Coach sat down with iFollow Latics before the encounter at the weekend against the Shrimpers.

Looking back at another midweek defeat, Kewell remained focused and determined to put things right again.

“We’ve had another good couple of days training. I can't fault he players' attitude, especially in the training aspect, they're willing to learn. We're always trying to improve them, trying to drip feed the information and trying to get them up to a level where they can take on the information and understand it and then execute it.

“We're getting there. But like I said, it’s just on that final hurdle. Sometimes we're flying over it and then sometimes we're tripping up on it. So that's something that we have to have to work out, just recapping on the Bolton game. Yes, it was a good start and then again just five minutes of madness, where we concede a goal and get a man sent off.

“But for me the work ethic that they put in in the second-half was a level of dedication, a good level of attitude, a standard where I don't want them to drop. Now we're coming up with a period of games where that level is going to be needed. And we must take full advantage of our efforts and what we're capable of doing, and bring these into the following games because there's 15 games to go and not one of them will be an easy game. In fact, I believe that they're all going to be cup finals and we have to finally show everyone else what we're capable of doing.

Missing the reverse fixture in the earlier season due to self-isolation, the Head Coach knows that Southend United are a team to be wary of.

“They've got a good structure to their team,” he said.

“I don't think the results over the past three or four weeks have reflected their performances, so they've been unlucky. So again, we have to be at our very best because they're going to come with a good attitude, a style of play, which we've worked on and we know what they are going to try to do, but again it's going to come down to the individuals winning their battles. And if we can achieve that, then it puts us in good stead for gaining the three points.”

With his squad depleted due to knocks, longer term injuries and suspensions, it’s something that will test the character of the squad as the relentless two games a week schedule continues.

“Three weeks ago, we had one player injured, now we have quite a few missing due to knocks sustained and suspensions.

“We're still waiting on one or two players coming back in, but it's going to be difficult in the next couple of fixtures. It’s a part of the game we’re faced with but every team goes through spells like this, we have to deal with it and we're dealing with it. We're going to have to make some adjustments but players are ready to come in and those out are working hard to get back to full fitness sooner rather than later.”

Link to full interview:-
Link

Southend United

Mark Molesley speaks to ifollow ahead of this afternoon’s game against Oldham Athletic

Mark Molesley Southend United’s Manager


Mark Molesley Southend United’s Manager talks during ifollow interview​

Link to full ifollow interview
Link

Mark Molesley speaks to OS ahead of this afternoon’s game against Oldham Athletic

Molesley: We want points not positives

Mark Molesley Southend United’s Manager​

Mark Molesley knows that it’s points that matter at this stage of the season.

His side have been competitive in each of the past six games and should probably have more to show for their work.

Two wins, two draws and two defeats is a good return, especially considering who Blues have faced, however Molesley wanted more.

And despite having the best defensive record in the league throughout February, that counts for little if points aren’t taken along the way.

Heading to Oldham this weekend, the message is clear from the manager.

"After hitting our lowest point of the season, we can take a lot of confidence and heart from our last five or six games,” said Molesley.

"The way the lads have reacted against all the top sides and the mentality they’ve shown is something we need to continue to show in every game.

"We have to learn the lessons that this season has taught us so harshly along the way.

"We’ve got to continue improving, we’ve got to continue to want more, we’ve got to keep striving to be the best version of ourselves.

"There’s a lot on the line so we have to be at our best every game.

"We can take heart and confidence from the performances of late, but at this stage of the season it’s about points.

"Plenty of positives to take but we have to take them and turn them into points."

Full text can be found here:-
Link

Mark Molesley speaks to Chris Phillips at The Echo ahead of this afternoon’s game against Oldham Athletic

Mark Molesley knows Southend United must get balance right at Oldham Athletic

On the road - Southend United head to Oldham Athletic this weekend​

Southend United manager Mark Molesley wants to get the balance right at Oldham Athletic this weekend.

The Shrimpers head to Boundary Park sitting 22nd in the League Two standings.

And Molesley is determined to make sure Blues get things right at both ends of the pitch against a free-scoring Oldham side.

“Oldham are one of the top scoring sides in the League so we need to be on our guard and we have to keep showing that defensive mentality,” said Molesley.

“But at the same time an area of improvement is that we want to be scoring more goals ourselves.

“We’ve got to get that balance right of being solid and hard to beat along with making sure we take our chances.

“That’s the challenge and it’s one that will be firmly tested at Oldham.

“They’re a really good attacking outfit and we will need to be at our best, like we need to be in every game.”

Blues were beaten 1-0 at table-topping Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night having previously lost just once in their last five outings.

And Molesley has been encouraged by the recent results, all against teams towards the top of the table.

“We can take a lot of confidence and heart from our last five or six games,” said the Blues boss.

“We were at our lowest point of the season before that but we have to keep showing the same fighting spirit.

“We have to learn lessons we’ve been so harshly at times this season.

“We have to keep wanting to improve and be at our best every game because there’s a lot on the line.

“We have to turn these positives into points too.”

The Shrimpers are currently two points above the drop points and six points behind 21st placed Port Vale.

But Molesley is still keen to drag more teams into trouble.

“We’re looking up the table and looking to get on people’s tails to put the pressure on them,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“We’ve had this pressure from day one and we’ve been in a fight since day one so this is not unfamiliar territory for us.

Full text can be found here:-
Link

The Big Preview

Oldham Athletic vs Southend United


​

Overview

Blues are back on the road once again as Mark Molesley’s side make the long trip up to Boundary Park to take on Oldham Athletic tomorrow afternoon in League Two.

The Latics have very much been a Jekyll and Hyde outfit this season, having the second-best goalscoring record in the entire division while also having the worst defensive record.

Southend on the other hand are the lowest scorers in the division, but they have tightened things right up at the back.

Three points in Greater Manchester would be the perfect response to the defeat in midweek and with back-to-back games at Roots Hall on the horizon.

Form

Tuesday night’s narrow defeat to Cheltenham ended a two-game unbeaten run for Blues which had seen them draw against Salford and win away at Forest Green Rovers.

Southend’s last six clashes have also seen them pick up a win away at Newport before drawing with Cambridge and falling to another narrow reversal at the hands of Bolton.

Oldham fell to a 2-0 defeat to Bolton in midweek, with Harry Kewell’s side having picked up two wins and a draw from their last six outings.

Last League Meeting

Tuesday 27th October 2020

Southend United 1-2 Oldham Athletic

Clifford 76’; Grant 49’, Dearnley 89’

Zak Dearnley’s late strike was the difference between the two sides when they last came head-to-head in October as Oldham run out 2-1 winners at Roots Hall.

Bobby Grant opened the scoring from close range before Tom Clifford brought the sides level with a superb free-kick. That was until Dearnley ran through to score the winner late on.

From The Boss

"They are one of the top scorers in the league so they are free-flowing and they can hurt you.

"We’ve got to show that defensive mentality that we’ve been showing but at the same time, an area for improvement is we want to be scoring more goals ourselves.

"It’s about finding that balance of being solid and hard to beat and also trying to make the most of our chances as well.

"You have to be at your best all the time, this league shows anyone can beat anyone.

"We’ve got to nullify them and use the spaces that they might leave with their good attacking play and see if we can threaten them."

Blues Team News

Striker Nile Ranger has been ruled out for the rest of the season after the frontman picked up a serious groin injury shortly after coming off the bench against Salford last weekend.

Mark Oxley continues to be absent also with a groin problem which is expected to keep him out for two to four weeks, leaving emergency loanee James Montgomery to deputise.

Elvis Bwomono will need a late fitness check on his calf injury which ruled him out of the trip to Cheltenham in midweek.

And the injured quartet of Sam Hart (groin), Jacob Mellis (illness), James Olayinka (ankle) and Terrell Egbri (hamstring) are all back in training. They continue to build up their sharpness and Molesley said he is looking to arrange a behind closed doors game to aid their return to the first team.

Oldham Dangerman

Congolese midfielder Dylan Bahamboula has been turning a lot of heads this season with his eye-catching performances and he is certainly going to be Oldham’s dangerman on Saturday.

This is Bahamboula’s first season in English football and the skilful attacking midfielder has impressed during his brief time so far with the Latics.

‘Moyo’ as he’s affectionately known has eight assists and five goals to his name, three of which have come in his last six matches with strikes against Salford, Tranmere and Carlisle.

Ref Watch

Ollie Yates will be the man in charge at Boundary Park tomorrow afternoon, being assisted by Kevin Mulraine and Declan Ford, with James Bell the fourth official.

It’ll be Yates’ first trip to Oldham since October 2019 and his first Southend game since he oversaw a 2-1 defeat for Blues at home to Bristol Rovers in February of that same year.

Yates has taken charge of 21 games so far this campaign, showing 70 yellow cards and no reds, though his book wasn’t needed in his last game which saw Salford thrash Cambridge 4-1.

How to watch

With fans unable to attend matches in person, Blues fans can watch tomorrow’s clash with Oldham Athletic by picking up a Match Pass for iFollow Blues for £10.

Overseas supporters can pick up a pass for just £7 with the pass allowing you to catch the game on your laptop, computer, tablet or mobile device.

For more information on how you can get your Match Pass for iFollow Blues and ensure you miss none of the action at the Boundary Park, click here.

Please note, due to current BBC guidelines relating to travel during the national lockdown, the BBC Essex commentary team will not be able to provide match commentary for the game. Instead, you will have a choice of listening to ambient stadium noise or you can switch to Oldham’s commentary via the settings cog.

Full text can be found here:-
Link

Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Oldham Athletics Team

 

[Pak Power]

Elvis on the bench

 

[brigg blue]

Lets smash these 2 bob mugs

 

[tottenham541]

Another 4 changes for today, we will get nowhere by not having a settled side.

 

[MisterStubbs]

Yellllloooooooooooows!

 

[flangejackrabbit]

Elvis on the bench

 

[Ricey]

Elvis on the bench

Can only assume he’s not fully fit.

 

[flangejackrabbit]

Another 4 changes for today, we will get nowhere by not having a settled side.

We made the changes last time out so we could start our most settled side today without them being totally cream crackered! Shame Elvis isn't fit enough to start though, that would've been a big boost.

 

[Cricko]

Elvis on the bench

At least he's not In the Ghetto.

 

[NZamba Legend]

Oldham have a cool badge. An owl (?) on a football.

 

[Cricko]

We desperately need to win this game today..I don't want to hear after it from MM saying, well we go again next week, we had the chances etc etc..We need points on the board and to me this is a must win game.

 

[Pak Power]

I think RHF may afford Hobson more protection down the right than Ricky Holmes did against Cheltenham

 

[gatecrasher]

I know he's not universally liked on here but I have to say I do seem some plus with RHF... his in swinging crosses from the right are nigh on impossible to defend and he's had a few on the money. He's reasonably skillful and he tracks back well

 

[tottenham541]

We made the changes last time out so we could start our most settled side today without them being totally cream crackered! Shame Elvis isn't fit enough to start though, that would've been a big boost.

Great we expect a win then

 

[Pak Power]

Does anyone know what's happened to Mellis?

I thought he might have been making the bench by now

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

At least he's not In the Ghetto.

Or in the Jailhouse (rock).

 

[Shrimper]

Does anyone know what's happened to Mellis?

I thought he might have been making the bench by now

He's a crock

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

Does anyone know what's happened to Mellis?

I thought he might have been making the bench by now

Apparently not yet ready could be available next week says MM