Pre-Match Thread Woking v Southend United, Tuesday 26th November, 19:45 k.o., NL

[Shrimpergonzo]

Another away game for the blues, this time a trip over the Dartford Bridge and around the M25 to Woking. Whilst we were drawing at home to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, Woking lost 2-0 at Barnet and are on a wretched run of form in the league with only one win (against Boston) from their last 11 league games.



The Cardinals are managed by Irishman Michael Doyle who has been in post for nearly a year now. They finished in 17th place last season and are one place lower than that at the moment. Given their poor run of form you wonder how much longer he will be there - especially with a new American owner, Todd Johnson, about to take charge.

For the Shrimpers, Kev opted to drop Husin and Moncur to the bench against FGR and also to bring back Collin between the sticks. However the game really came alive for us when he took off the ineffective and poorly Jack Bridge and brought on Macauley Bonne. Watching the defence being put through their paces by Benno before the game it is clear that Bridge, who was not involved with the other 4, is not seen as a defender and therefore there seems little to lose by starting Josh Walker wide on the left in place of Bridge. It certainly seemed to liven up our attacks against FGR. However let’s see if Kev fancies this formation from the start away from home.

If you’re travelling to back the boys on Tuesday then don’t forget to check out the excellent thread by @DoDTS which tells you all you need to know:

https://www.shrimperzone.com/forums...ber-2024-7-45pm-kick-off.120236/#post-2810187

So, who would you choose to start at the Laithwaite Community Stadium, and what do you predict the result will be?

 

[Guybrush13]

We all know what comes after a good performance.....

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

It's funny how one can read form. In their last 3 home league games, they've beaten Boston and drawn with both FGR's and York 1-1 respectively. Doesn't look so bad on them now does it? Much like our form, we believe it's bad, but when you look at the away form, it's been very good recently aside from Altrincham.

This will be by no means an easy game. The formation will be the biggest topic. I air on the side of caution when we automatically say play 4-3-3. Fans don't like to hear it, but it is a totally different team and set of circumstances. We had gaps to exploit against FGR because they kept countering us. That won't happen with a low block team. So I don't know if Kev will start that formation.

I honestly think the formation is irrelevant. It's about commitment to attacking. We just commited players forward second half. It's as simple as that. That's all we need to do again. Even Husin had a shot!!!

Having said that, Bonne, Pepple and Walker looked dangerous. The latter's best position has always been coming in from the flank, it's what he did at Daggers.

I'd go:
Collin
Gus, Taylor, Crowther, Ralph
Coker, Morton, Husin
Bonne, Pepple, Walker

My biggest worry with that, is that lack of tracking back from Bonne. Especially when Gus is so attacking himself.

 

[dusterman]

We all know what comes after a good performance.....

5 at the back?

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

It's funny how one can read form. In their last 3 home league games, they've beaten Boston and drawn with both FGR's and York 1-1 respectively. Doesn't look so bad on them now does it? Much like out form, we believe it's bad, but when you look at the away form, it's been very good recently aside from Altrincham.

This will be by no means an easy game. The formation will be the biggest topic. I air on the side of caution when we automatically say play 4-3-3. Fans don't like to hear it, but it is a totally different team and set of circumstances. We had gaps to exploit against FGR because they kept countering us. That won't happen with a low block team. So I don't know if Kev will start that formation.

I honestly think the formation is irrelevant. It's about commitment to attacking. We just commited players forward second half. It's as simple as that. That's all we need to do again. Even Husin had a shot!!!

Having said that, Bonne, Pepple and Walker looked dangerous. The latter's best position has always been coming in from the flank, it's what he did at Daggers.

I'd go:
Collin
Gus, Taylor, Crowther, Ralph
Coker, Morton, Husin
Bonne, Pepple, Walker

My biggest worry with that, is that lack of tracking back from Bonne. Especially when Gus is so attacking himself.

Same as your selection, with one exception, Wind for Gus. imo Wind needs to be eased into the first team, and with Gus on a poor run of form, now is as good a time as any.

 

[Tommy2holes]

4-3-3 that is all.

Let's have a real go at Woking and smash them

 

[Zeuss]

Assuming Gubbins is still not fit yet,the team Maher ought to start ( 2nd half subs are in brackets,some for much longer than others !) is :—
Jeacock

Wind (GSM)
Taylor
Crowther
Ralph

Morton (Miley)

Coker
Moncur (KAF)
Husin

Bonne
Pepple (Walker)

Bridge could do with a rest anyway but without Fonguck,his main contribution has been his penalties—NOT his corners !

 

[Roger The Alien]

We need to stick with 4-3-3 and don’t go back to 3-5-2 again!!

 

[MisterStubbs]

I’d also like to see us lineup in a 4-3-3. Something like this..

Collin
Gus - Taylor - Crowther - Ralph
Miley
Coker - KAF
Walker - Pepple - Bonne
​

If Gubbins is fit, he starts over Crowther. I’d like to see Coker and KAF ahead of Miley providing plenty of energy to get around the pitch with some quality to go with it.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

Decision for Kev to make with his team selection.Apparently not only Bridge had a stomach bug but others unnamed as well.So if he had a fit squad minus Gubbins does he keep the same team that finished against FGR or revert to the one that started.

 

[Strykr]

I predict a classic frustrating dour laborious 3 5 2 for 70 mins, then smash them with a fun 433 and a cheeky 1-0 win.

Hms **** the league in the last half has set sail

 

[NZamba Legend]

We need to mix up the 352s and the 433s. Frankly, both formations can be ****. It depends whose playing them.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

If going M25 South clockwise, I would check for M25 updates. Last week there were a few lane closures, and many stretches of traffic cones and roadworks, reducing speed to 50mph and 40mph, and long traffic jams. It may or may not have improved by Tuesday, but worth checking just in case.

 

[Dutch Branch]

3 - 4 - 3 and we will be good to go, that was a decent performance yesterday embraced by the fact that we had three up front and Colin can now kick with his left foot.

COYB f..king smash it.

 

[rararblue]

And at 3 - 4 - 3, maybe Jack Wood, can get a chance?

 

[shrimperjon]

I’d also like to see us lineup in a 4-3-3. Something like this..

Collin
Gus - Taylor - Crowther - Ralph
Miley
Coker - KAF
Walker - Pepple - Bonne
​

If Gubbins is fit, he starts over Crowther. I’d like to see Coker and KAF ahead of Miley providing plenty of energy to get around the pitch with some quality to go with it.

All about opinions but how can you have KAF and Miley in but no Morton. He has been excellent this past month or so and along with Coker should be first choice

 

[Dutch Branch]

3 - 4 - 3 go for it

 

[Uncle_Rons_Teapot]

A Shrimpers win that'll see yet another oppo manager shown their marching orders?

 

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

All about opinions but how can you have KAF and Miley in but no Morton. He has been excellent this past month or so and along with Coker should be first choice

Yes, but Walker on the left.

 

[SHRIMPERPETER]

I’d also like to see us lineup in a 4-3-3. Something like this..

Collin
Gus - Taylor - Crowther - Ralph
Miley
Coker - KAF
Walker - Pepple - Bonne
​

If Gubbins is fit, he starts over Crowther. I’d like to see Coker and KAF ahead of Miley providing plenty of energy to get around the pitch with some quality to go with it.

I'd have same but Morton for Miley