Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Salford City, Saturday 27th February, 15:00, FL2

[Shrimpergonzo]

Less than 24 hours after the impressive victory against the high flying vegetarians and already we need to look forward to the next game, due to the unusual Wednesday tea-time kick off.

Making their first ever visit to Roots Hall on Saturday will be Salford City, the team partially owned by "the class of '92". They're doing rather well in League Two and on BBC Essex Glenn Pennyfather described them as the best team he's seen this season. However we played them back in October and not many of the team from that night will be guaranteed a start on Saturday. We lined up that night:

Oxley

Bwomono Dieng Lennon Ralph

Olayinka Demetriou

Egbri Goodship K Taylor

Sterling​

I'd like to think the current resources available to MM will see a stronger line up than that.

Salford are currently sitting just outside the playoffs and although they had a great 4-1 win at home to Cambridge at the beginning of the month, their form since then has been a bit more indifferent - winning 1-0 at home to Barrow, Drawing 1-1 at home to Carlisle and losing 2-1 to not one, but two injury time goals (90+4 and 90+6) on Tuesday night at Morecambe.

So what will MM do on Saturday? It's a quick turnaround from Wednesday and we need another high tempo performance, like at FGR, if we're to avoid a 5th successive home defeat. Will he introduce some fresh legs? Will some of the new acquisitions be fit to play a part? Who knows - but why don't you have a little guess at the starting line up and end result? Go on - you know you want to!

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Full of cautious optimism me

 

[leeblue]

Same team...fitness allowing I suppose.

 

[shrimper-james]

Assuming no fitness issues, knocks or training injuries it has to be unchanged IMO

 

[sufc4life21]

After last night fantastic performance, cant really change winning team! Lads should be full of confidence in winning this 1.

 

[NZamba Legend]

Oxley; Bwomono, White, Hobson, Clifford; Dieng, Ferguson, K Taylor; RHF, Shrimpet Steve, Akinola

 

[LI11]

I’d love to be unchanged, but Wednesday to Saturday is a quick turnover. I expect JD will probably start and ANG or Holmes in for Acquah.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Oxley; Bwomono, White, Hobson, Clifford; Dieng, Ferguson, K Taylor; RHF, Shrimpet Steve, Akinola

Shrimpet Steve is rubbish!!! How can you start him when you've got Holmes on the bench?? Sack MM!!!!

 

[brigg blue]

I'm expecting a draw out of this one, Hopefully I'm wrong and we pick up the 3 points. I expect Holmes might start with Egbri and Ranger making the bench

 

[Derbyshire Blue]

The game at Salford earlier in the season was the most depressing match this season for me. I know we’ve suffered heavier defeats but I remember trying to work out how we could string enough passes together to get close to their goal, let alone have an attempt on it.

Keep the team the same if possible, especially the midfield if no knocks picked up. Although I suspect MM will do more homework on Salford than I will and make any changes he sees fit.

 

[damien]

Think we will see Demi or Macca in for KT due to some noise about KT's recovery after a game and that would be your lot for changes.

Need to keep that momentum going and try to bounce into this one.

Might we see Olayinka and Ranger included on the bench for this one?

Hope - 2-1 win with a goal from Sim and Clifford each

Prediction - 1-1 draw with a demi penny

 

[NZamba Legend]

The game at Salford earlier in the season was the most depressing match this season for me. I know we’ve suffered heavier defeats but I remember trying to work out how we could string enough passes together to get close to their goal, let alone have an attempt on it.

They will think we are easy. All along we have been playing a clever trick.

 

[crangoner]

They will think we are easy. All along we have been playing a clever trick.

Cambridge probably thought this despite the Newport result, Forest Green probably thought this based on Bolton, we can hope Salford fall into this trap again but would take us being three times lucky.

 

[Blue Yonder]

Really hope after Wednesdays energetic and athletic performance we don't field any of the old guys who can barely get through a game or string two appearances together. We've plenty of options now without going that route.

 

[Jay_SUFC]

If Holmes and Ranger don't both start it'll be a joke

 

[overseas shrimper]

I'd drop Ferguson to show him his place after that lucky punt.

 

[Chrisb]

Assuming no fitness issues, knocks or training injuries it has to be unchanged IMO

Definitely.

 

[amsemp]

Oxley
Elvis, White, Hobson, Clifford
Ferguson, Dieng
RHF, Taylor, Akinola
Acquah
​

Blues 4-0 Primark Man U

H.M.S. **** the league - full steam ahead

 

[Strykr]

I prefer shrimpet steve at the tip of a diamond formation tbh.

Good link up with Acquah.

 

[Shrimpet steve]

Really want us to beat this lot! Hate clubs who buy there way to success!! They are and will always be little salford lower then the non league!! Its only because of gary neville and co they are in the football league!! They are another team who we owe a beating to!! They wont have it as easy this time round!! We must be at our most confident now and our squad is looking really strong! Would love us to follow up Tuesday with another win! Holmes has to start!!