Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Dover, Tuesday 2nd November, 7:45pm, NL

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Hoping for a 4-4-2 or a variation of this:

Arnold;

Howard, White, Lopata, Sayers;

Egbri, Ferguson, Phillips/Dunne, Bridge;

Murphy, Dalby.

 

[Medway Blue]

Hoping for a 4-4-2 or a variation of this:

Arnold;

Howard, White, Lopata, Sayers;

Egbri, Ferguson, Phillips/Dunne, Bridge;

Murphy, Dalby.

Bit harsh on Brunt after his performance at the weekend. Looking like he could make things happen after only a day of training with his new teammates.

I do feel 352 or 4231 suit our personnel better at the moment.

 

[Cricko]

Ticket stats link now working again. Thanks @Spaceman Spiff

Southend Ticket Stats

 

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Bit harsh on Brunt after his performance at the weekend. Looking like he could make things happen after only a day of training with his new teammates.

I do feel 352 or 4231 suit our personnel better at the moment.

True but I think him coming on as a sub and finding space against tiring defences would be better.

We shall see!

 

[WickfordShrimper]

Ticket stats link now working again. Thanks @Spaceman Spiff

Southend Ticket Stats

View attachment 17440

Hopefully season ticket holders will turn up and we see over 5,000 gate tonight

Let's be honest that's an excellent turn out

 

[FarmdogSUFC]

Shape is key in this one. We're a bit weak in certain areas and may need to double up to avoid being exposed. Wouldn't be too surprised to see 5 at the back for this one as well

 

[hlane17]

I think we just need to turn over an opposition team for the first time this season, solid 3 or 4-0 and we'll see the confidence in our squad lift massively.

We went close vs Wrexham and on another day when Ralph doesn't get concussed we probably win 2 or 3-0. Just think how that would have changed our course.

But we're going to have to work very hard to get anything out of anyone we face. Hoping for a comprehensive victory tonight to lift everyone's spirits but it won't be gifted to us.

 

[Cricko]

Surely we must get a win tonight against a team who have won zilch so far this season.

5-1 it is then.

 

[SHRIMPERPETER]

Surely we must get a win tonight against a team who have won zilch so far this season.

5-1 it is then.

They'll be saying the same ?

 

[hlane17]

My choice 11 for tonight (4-2-3-1):
Arnold

Howard Hobson Lopata Sayers

Ferguson Phillips

Bridge Brunt Walsh

Dalby

Bench: Rush, Murphy, Dunne, White, Egbri

Murphy needs to be dropped, light a fire under him because he's not at his best. Needs to stay on his feet and be more honest to win favour of NL refs. Putting him on the bench next to Rush should be a reminder there's a young hungry player with enough ability to rival his place in the team.

Dalby up front on his own but emphasis on Brunt, Bridge and Walsh being close support so he can bring them into play with their trickery.

Ferguson gets the nod ahead of Dunne for me. Vastly more athletic and physical, should be able to shuttle between the boxes and *when* he works hard he recycles the ball well. Should he play tonight his role is pivotal in deciding the result.

Rest of the team explains itself through necessity or ability. Hobson can look like Bambi on ice sometimes but when playing the game simply, he does the job.

 

[gatecrasher]

Hopefully season ticket holders will turn up and we see over 5,000 gate tonight

Let's be honest that's an excellent turn out

Given how bad the football has been for many seasons and how this season has begun its outstanding! Shows that even if the club deserves to be in this division the fans don't

 

[Userorange]

I like to look at the match from all angles starting with the mascots.

Sammy the Shrimp v Captain Crab

mmmmm ?

 

[Shrimper]

Nothing less than a win will do tonight

 

[stewart]

Same result as when we played Chertsey and i will be over the moon ,But beware Dover are not going to lay down,a win will need to be fought hard for .

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

They'll be saying the same ?

Then they'd be wrong, 'cos we' ve won twice don't forget.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

My choice 11 for tonight (4-2-3-1):
Arnold

Howard Hobson Lopata Sayers

Ferguson Phillips

Bridge Brunt Walsh

Dalby

Bench: Rush, Murphy, Dunne, White, Egbri

Murphy needs to be dropped, light a fire under him because he's not at his best. Needs to stay on his feet and be more honest to win favour of NL refs. Putting him on the bench next to Rush should be a reminder there's a young hungry player with enough ability to rival his place in the team.

Dalby up front on his own but emphasis on Brunt, Bridge and Walsh being close support so he can bring them into play with their trickery.

Ferguson gets the nod ahead of Dunne for me. Vastly more athletic and physical, should be able to shuttle between the boxes and *when* he works hard he recycles the ball well. Should he play tonight his role is pivotal in deciding the result.

Rest of the team explains itself through necessity or ability. Hobson can look like Bambi on ice sometimes but when playing the game simply, he does the job.

I don’t hate it but that would be one of the most inexperienced line-ups we’ve ever fielded.
Howard, Sayers, Walsh, Brunt, Lopata, Phillips have 18 starts between them - and that’s over half the side.
Dalby has 31 and Hobson 70 would be relatively veterans despite fewer starts combined than Elvis. For that reason even I think you need to sprinkle in some experience with White and probably Dunne (as the lesser of two evils when it’s between him and Atkinson).

 

[jimmy55]

Hoping this game is easily won. Front foot, attacking play from the off, a chance to give the old boy, Murphy a rest? Time to get Rush playing off Dalby and Walsh, Bridge and Brunt providing service through to goal. Lopta header - back of the net tonight. If we can't go all out attack against Dover tonight, then we might aswell just give up on this season. UTB!!!!

 

[kentblues]

We get exposed behind when playing Egbri/Bridge. Its happened all season, but I agree 352 is probably here to stay.

its the midfield 3 thats the problem and getting out to wide areas without leaving gaping holes.

Dunne for Sayers and put Bridge in the MF 3 as he has the engine to get around the pitch and Howard for Egbri. Rush for Murphy.

Agree. But it was interesting listening to Mica Richards talking about 352 at man city in Mancini's time. Basically the WBs would be told to push on. On the counter the two defensive CM job was to fill back to allow the R/L CB to cover the FB position or for the defensive CM to do it. He expected his Was to be more advanced the the CMs.

Thing is the system needs to relentlessly rehearsed and everyone know and stick to their roles.

The worst thing would be to play with 352 for a few games not perfect it then revert to something else that doesn't work either.

 

[hlane17]

I don’t hate it but that would be one of the most inexperienced line-ups we’ve ever fielded.
Howard, Sayers, Walsh, Brunt, Lopata, Phillips have 18 starts between them - and that’s over half the side.
Dalby has 31 and Hobson 70 would be relatively veterans despite fewer starts combined than Elvis. For that reason even I think you need to sprinkle in some experience with White and probably Dunne (as the lesser of two evils when it’s between him and Atkinson).

Suppose I'm picking on witnessed ability rather than experience and gamesmanship. If we have to suffer Dunne then I suppose we lose Harry Phillips because I feel Fergy has more to give.

As for White, suppose if Lopata can protect him then it's a shout. I feel we need to keep a high-energy high-pressure approach tonight to put Dover under and the more youthful the lineup, the better we might achieve that.

 

[kentblues]

I don’t hate it but that would be one of the most inexperienced line-ups we’ve ever fielded.
Howard, Sayers, Walsh, Brunt, Lopata, Phillips have 18 starts between them - and that’s over half the side.
Dalby has 31 and Hobson 70 would be relatively veterans despite fewer starts combined than Elvis. For that reason even I think you need to sprinkle in some experience with White and probably Dunne (as the lesser of two evils when it’s between him and Atkinson).

Also add up the number of career goals the 6 in font of the back 4 have scored. Just as we used to do when MM had his Southend 0 line-ups. Goals per minutes from that lot will tell you not to expect too money goals...regrettably. Meanwhile the one proven goalscorer looks on...well both of them if you include Rush. And that is at home versus Dover.