Midfield Mastery
Southend United manager Kieron Dyer has publicly declared that the club has the three best midfielders in the National League. He singled out Anthony Hartigan, Darren Oldaker and Oli Coker as the core of his midfield. Dyer said, “I think we’ve got the three best midfielders in the league.” He added that these players bring “control, progressive passes, being very bright with a high IQ” and that they are “culture setters” who help the team dominate possession.
Oldaker’s Impact
Oldaker, 27, impressed in Saturday’s 1-0 victory against Scunthorpe United. Dyer expressed surprise at how quickly he secured Oldaker from Chesterfield, noting that he had been amazed when Chesterfield let him go. The manager recounted a phone call with former manager Ian Holloway, during which he asked about Oldaker’s potential. “I thought the phone was going to be put down and when it wasn’t I told Olly (Gage) and Justin (Rees) we had to move quickly on DJ because I know what he can give,” Dyer said.
Dyer praised Oldaker’s flair, noting that he “always does something in a game which would get me off my seat,” whether it was a “40-yard ping with his left across the pitch” or a “megging” moment. He believes Oldaker will be a catalyst for Southend’s midfield.
Upcoming Match
Southend United will face Solihull Moors tomorrow, with the match scheduled to kick off at 12:30 pm. The club will wear its new pink away kit for the first time. The match will see the Blues, also known as the Shrimpers, test their midfield strength against a Solihull side.
Dyer remains confident that his midfield trio can outshine any opposition in the league, and he is eager to see their performance in the upcoming fixture.
