Match Thread Home V Grimsby Saturday 10th April @ 3.00pm

By my reckoning if we win this game (and southend lose) we will be mathematically safe from relegation too.

if we are serious about getting into the playoffs this game does need to be won.

 

Jack Payne eh..? what a waste, could have done so much more for himself, cost us a fortune in inflated wages.....

 

Stefan Payne has never played for us.

 

Sorry, was he referring to Stefan, I just presumed it was Jack...
He's still at Swindon apparently..

 

Our home form has been good under aT&S can only see a win

 

They seem to play with three number 9s in Hanson, Payne and John-Lewis. Not sure how this looks in practice but would imagine their gameplan is to launch balls in the box from all angles and hope something drops. Could be a problem considering we've looked vulnerable from crosses and set pieces especially, lately. People were quick to jump on O'Donnell on Monday and whilst he probably should've come for it, not one other outfield player attacked the ball, which is simply not good enough.

But as others have said, this is a must win if we're to finish top 7. Get an early goal and I think we'll win comfortably.

 

Absolutely bang on. Paudie and Canavan are getting an easy ride compared to some. They lose far too much aerialy for two big lads and imo should be a bit more dominant at times.

 

I think that Canavan's performances have dropped off a little recently. When he first came he was getting onto the ball before the forward, either getting a tackle in or even more so, making the clearance. I feel that lately he has just been that little bit off the pace and not being as dominating as he previously was. Still a very good signing though, just hope he isn't letting his standards slip a little.

 

Can we just start well? That would be lovely.

 

They were used to Hornby coming and taking the high ball, now they don’t know what’s happening. We’ve just become a bit disorganised and need to get back to how we were a few weeks ago. Make no mistake, Hanson will be handful. Let’s hope the ref gives as many fouls against him, as they did when he played for us....

 

Haven't they got Morais as well?

 

Bloody Hell.

Shocked!!

 

Am I correct in thinking that’s due to the dropping of Hornsby.

If I were a defender for us right now , I’d be thinking the opposing teams have us sussed. Set pieces and corners , we know the keeper won’t come out , let’s hope for a clean header or a loose ball?

That’s exactly what Grimsby will do! It doesn’t take a great deal of skill to play that way. Remember Wimbledon a long time ago? They had great success at it, yet they were never ever seen as a skillfull football side.

 

Behave!

 

When you look at a lot of the comments regarding Arial weakness, the main target being O’Donnell not on his own though, we have two central defenders that should be good enough to help out when needed, some of the goals that we have conceded seems to have happened within the 6yd box, for me it is the goalkeepers responsibility within the 6 yd box and O Donnell is generally weak in that area,I think on Sat we will see a bombardment of high crosses into that area and let’s be honest Hanson is still pretty good in the box, hopefully some homework has been done and we get the 3 points needed for the final push.

 

Behave. A change of keeper is no excuse for defenders failing to attack a cross into the box.

 

I would add they do not contribute enough aerially from our corners and set pieces - assists or goals.

 

If the cross is in the 6yd box it is the keeper who should take or punch, If it is left and the ball beats the defender the keeper will never stop a header so close, The defenders in the box have a disadvantage of having to defend the wrong way heading out, The defenders are in a no win situation waiting for a keeper who does not come,