Pre-Match Thread Tamworth v Southend United, Saturday 22nd February, 15:00 k.o., NL

[Guybrush13]

Does anyone know what kind of time the team arrive at the ground? Going to be in Tamworth early so would like to see them arriving.

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

Joint killing fake pitch alert.
hate them.
Even at the lowly level i played at I know playing on them wrecked my knee.

Same, retired after tearing my ACL MCL and meniscus in one game

Just from playing on it, no bad tackle or anything, knee just went and I never played again

Horrible ****ing things

 

[Sufc_tom16]

Does anyone know what kind of time the team arrive at the ground? Going to be in Tamworth early so would like to see them arriving.

Usually at 1:30 for home games and I think the same for away but might depend on other things.

 

[Shrimperborn1957]

anyone got any idea on parking. Seems like a big car park but Club not open at moment for phone calls

 

[Boreham Blue]

I’d give Taylor a rest as has been less consistent recently and I think when we know the long throws will rain in then I’d prefer Goodliffe and Golding. I’m also struck by the earlier comment that Leon is used to playing on artificial and would definitely start with him.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

anyone got any idea on parking. Seems like a big car park but Club not open at moment for phone calls

There's meant to be some free street parking near the ground. Otherwise the ground car park which is £2,(When it opens), or these paying car parks.

Car parks near The Lamb Ground

• Bolebridge Island Odeon
• • Ankerside Multi-Storey Car Park
  • Mill Lane Car Park
  • Castle Car Park
  • Aldergate Car Park
  • Tamworth Gungate Car Park
  • Albion Street Car Park

 

[Napster]

Same, retired after tearing my ACL MCL and meniscus in one game

Just from playing on it, no bad tackle or anything, knee just went and I never played again

Horrible ****ing things

I played on a 3g pitch last week and one of the opponents fell and dislocated his collarbone. Someone else landed badly and got whiplash. Awful pitch

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

3G pitches are a worry for injuries, but at local level, what choice is there?
Councils the length and breadth don't have the funds to maintain public grass pitches; forcing more and more 90 minute outfits out of existence.
There is evidence to suggest 4G is safer, which makes me wonder why cheapskate Tamworth has not upgraded its surface since 2016?

 

[Barling Magna]

3G pitches are a worry for injuries, but at local level, what choice is there?
Councils the length and breadth don't have the funds to maintain public grass pitches; forcing more and more 90 minute outfits out of existence.
There is evidence to suggest 4G is safer, which makes me wonder why cheapskate Tamworth has not upgraded its surface since 2016?

How many injuries do Tamworth's players pick up I wonder? Or is it a case of getting used to playing on a 3G?

 

[Shrimper]

How many have we sold?

 

[RHB]

This might be a difficult watch as the bounce and run of the ball will be different to the grass version. That said, we're away from home with the travelling Shrimper hordes safely tucked up in the bus shelters at the end of the ground, so what could possibly go wrong. I wonder if some are already penning their post match reports?

 

[Guybrush13]

anyone got any idea on parking. Seems like a big car park but Club not open at moment for phone calls

There's a road a short walk from the ground called Campion Drive. Plenty of street parking there.

 

[Strykr]

Tough test - Southend United’s assistant head coach Darren Currie knows the Shrimpers will need to be at their best this weekend (Image: Lucy Copsey)


By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.

DARREN Currie says Southend United must be ready for what Tamworth quite literally throw at them this weekend.

The Shrimpers make their first ever trip to the Lamb Stadium looking to edge closer to the play-off positions.

But, for that to happen, Currie admits Blues must be able to deal with the dangerous long throw of Tom Tonks.

“Gussy (Scott-Morriss) is the only one who has got anything close to it and I think this boy can throw it twice as far,” said Currie.

“You saw even in the Tottenham game Tamworth had in the FA Cup that it’s so difficult to deal with.

“Anywhere past the half way line he goes over to take it and everyone goes marching forward.

“We coped with it well at home and we’re going to have to deal with it again if the lad is selected.

“It’s not just the first ball either, it’s the second ball and you have to manage your box well in moments like that.”

The Shrimpers head into the game unbeaten in their last three matches.

Blues beat Aldershot Town 2-1 last time out.

And Currie feels the manner of the victory puts Southend in good stead for Saturday’s clash.

“In many ways the last 15/20 minutes of the other night might stand us in good stead,” said Blues’ assistant head coach.

“It was a little bit backs against the wall and we had to defend our box well which we did.

“I expect it to be very similar on Saturday.

“They’ll ask questions we’ve got to stand up to and it will be very, very difficult there.

“The surface will be tricky and they’ve got a style of play which will always ask questions of you defensively.

“Then we’ve got to be good when we have our moments and our time on the ball.

“We’ll continue to look to be clinical when we get our chances too.”

Blues go into the game sitting eighth in the National League standings.

But Currie is not looking to far ahead.

“The mentality has to remain sharp now,” said Currie.

“We’ve always been next game mentality since we first walked through the door and we don’t look too far ahead.

“On the back of three positive results it’s about Tamworth now and no further than that.”

And Currie confirmed the Shrimpers had no new injury concerns ahead of the game - other than head coach Kevin Maher who is currently unwell!

“Apart from the gaffer, we’re all OK,” said Currie.

“He’s the only one who is a bit rough at the minute but everyone is fine.

“You get niggles along the way and a few kicks in the game but we’ve got a clean bill of health at the minute other than the ones who have been out.”

Goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi (hamstring), centre-back Adam Crowther (knee) and midfielder Cav Miley (ankle) are all still sidelined.

I know its "where we are" at the moment, but still makes me sad that we are a bit scared of Tamworth FC...

 

[Exiled Shrimper]

3G pitches are a worry for injuries, but at local level, what choice is there?
Councils the length and breadth don't have the funds to maintain public grass pitches; forcing more and more 90 minute outfits out of existence.
There is evidence to suggest 4G is safer, which makes me wonder why cheapskate Tamworth has not upgraded its surface since 2016?

There’s not a 4G in terms of artificial surfaces, although there are different types of 3G pitches. I visited Bottom Meadow, home of Bracknell Town and Sandhurst Town, recently with the U19s team, and they have installed a pitch that utilises Bioflex rather than rubber, and played much more similarly to a grass pitch. The technology is reported to reduce the number of injuries, as well as being better for the environment.

Tamworth’s pitch is to a FIFA-approved standard, so it hasn’t been required to be upgraded; artificial surfaces are required to be tested regularly and the Lamb Ground is due another test this summer.

To get this discussion back on topic, with technically good players such as Golding, Bridge, Morton, Husin, Coker and Chambers-Parillon in our squad, I expect us to fare well today; the surface should suit our style of play at this time of year. It will be about how we mix those players in with the likes of Ralph, Goodliffe, Bonne and Hopper, who will be required to deal with Tamworth’s aerial threat, that I think will define how successful we are.

 

[Gremlin]

How many have we sold?

Just one so far this season. Cardwell to FGR.

 

[rigsby]

What happens when Hopper and Bonne tire after an hour?

We keep one of them on for 80mins and make the right subs to defend our 2-0 lead.

Of course that would mean we have to be prepared to use that forward line in the right way. On Tuesday early doors Bonne made some great runs some on the last shoulder some coming back into space.

Parillion also made runs expecting Bonne to be played in. A couple of times players did read it but chose an extra touch or a 'safe' pass.

Whoever starts, I personally wouldn't pick Walker. Not because of his missed chances on Tuesday. I think he is more effective off the bench because he is not strong enough when marked tightly first half. Either doesn't look after the ball coming in to him or has a head down 3 touch dribble and loses it. Does not seem to have plan when it comes into him......In that position you need to already know who's around you, are they in space etc.

Bonne has been seen as target man but what if he worked off Hopper. Has the pace and the intelligence to give Tamworth back 4/5 a tough afternoon.

 

[Shrimper83]

With the fact we are playing on an awful plastic pitch and that Tonks long throw, I'd go for this line up.

Hayes

Gus Taylor Golding Goodliffe Ralph

Husin Morton Coker

Hopper Kendall

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Goalscorer - Gus Scott-Morriss has scored 13 goals for Southend United this season (Image: Lucy Copsey)


By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.

SOUTHEND United star Gus Scott-Morriss wants his scoring streak to continue at Tamworth tomorrow – even if it means having to extend his lengthy list of good luck charms.

The Shrimpers top scorer netted his 13th goal of the season in Tuesday night’s 2-1 triumph against Aldershot Town at Roots Hall.

And Scott-Morriss will again be doing all he can to keep the omens on his side for Saturday’s clash.

“I have so many superstitions now I can’t list them all,” said the 27-year-old.

“They’re becoming more and more and I need the season to end so I can scrap them! I must have at least eight or nine now that I do every week. It’s getting ridiculous!”

Scott-Morriss’ latest effort ultimately secured the Shrimpers three points on Tuesday and saw Kevin Maher’s side move up to eighth in the National League standings.

But the wing-back is determined to maintain the upward momentum and his sights are set on a place in the play-offs.

“It’s crunch time now and we want to get in the play-offs,” said Scott-Morriss.

“We had a slow start and a slow season so far. We’ve given ourselves a slight uphill battle but these last 15 games we really need to pick up.

“Hopefully we can peak at the right time now and get on a good run to get into the play-offs.”

Blues are currently one place and six points below the top seven.

But Scott-Morriss is now purely focused on results, not performances.

“Tuesday’s game showed it’s just about the result,” he said.

“We can walk off the pitch knowing we haven’t played well and that it was a difficult game but we’ve got three points to take us eighth.

"That’s all that matters now. We can be rubbish until the end of the season but if we make the play-offs everyone will have a smile on their face.”

The Shrimpers will therefore be eager to triumph in their first ever trip to 15th placed Tamworth this weekend.

But Scott-Morriss is well aware of the size of the task facing Blues.

“I’ve played there many times from when I was with Royston back in the lower leagues,” said Scott-Morriss.

“They’ve done unbelievably well to get to where they are now and it’s a very tough place to go and play. We will need to be on our A game to get three points there.”

And Scott-Morriss will also want to improve.

“The first 45 minutes against Aldershot was the worst performance I’ve ever had for Southend,” he said.

“When I scored the lads came over laughing because I had to apologise to them at half-time.”

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

The more I think about it the more I think Kev will go for 2 up top and start Macauley. I’d be tempted to pair him with either Kendall or Walker and have Hopper come on to see out the game. Have Morton pulling the strings as he does with Bridge/Husin starting (tin hat on). I’d not want to burn out LCP so maybe start him on the bench for this one.

It’s just bloody nice to have options.

 

[Jack_23]

With Halifax game postponed. A win takes us 3 points off the play offs