Southend v Halifax: Palmer arrives, the reaction must follow

I thought Southend took Berkhamsted too lightly, and I still do. Nine changes helped turn an FA Cup tie against a side two divisions below into a 2-1 home defeat. Southend made the mistakes; Berkhamsted earned their win by staying in the game and taking what was offered. Southend owe a better performance against Halifax.

I predicted a 3-1 Southend win last week, so I got it wrong too. Halifax supporter Luke Walsh was this week’s podcast guest, and his side arrive with four consecutive wins across all competitions. I want a response from Southend, but Halifax have the form and the players to make this another difficult afternoon.

Dyer’s promise meets the team sheet

Kieron Dyer’s description of the cup performance as a “testimonial” was severe. He followed it with a promise to select a core of 11 to 13 players regularly, when injuries allow. At Thursday’s press conference, reported by the Echo, he accepted the cause plainly: “I made far too many changes.” He intends to use his strongest available side through a week that brings Halifax at home on 24 October, then trips to Worthing on 27 October and Wealdstone on 31 October.

After that pledge, I would struggle to understand another substantial reshuffle beyond the changes Dyer has to make. I want to see midfielders close enough to take the ball from the defenders under pressure, and players who know where their team-mates will be when Halifax force them to play quickly.

The league position and recent form still give Southend a good platform. They are third on 27 points, a point behind Harrogate, with four wins in their last six league games. Boston and AFC Fylde were beaten before the cup exit. That league form should give Southend confidence.

Why Palmer makes sense

I think Ash Palmer should be a good signing for Southend. His experience is useful in precisely the areas that have been costing goals. The 33-year-old centre-back has joined on loan from York City until 14 January 2027. Southend’s announcement credits him with three National League titles, won with Stockport, Chesterfield and York, and nearly 250 appearances at this level. He could make his Southend debut against the team he finished last season with, having played every minute of Halifax’s final ten matches.

Dyer worked with him at Chesterfield, but the recruitment has a longer history. In Chris Phillips’s Echo report, Oliver Gage, Southend’s director of football, explains that he first met Palmer through a PFA course around two years ago and stayed in contact. Southend considered him in the summer; defensive concerns brought the move back into focus. Gage sees him helping to organise the younger defenders.

Southend conceded 19 goals in their first 13 league games, then allowed Berkhamsted’s Jeffrey Sekyere an unopposed header for the winner. Dyer has identified first contacts against direct opponents as a problem Palmer can help address. An experienced centre-half who tells people where to stand before a cross comes in should help. Southend cannot keep allowing opponents that much room in front of goal.

Palmer is available, although Dyer has not announced his starting side. If he wins the first header, somebody still has to collect the next ball. His team-mates also have to mark their men; bringing him in does not make that his job alone.

Oldaker leaves a real decision

Darren Oldaker will miss the game through suspension after collecting his fifth yellow card at Boston. He has started all but one league match, so Dyer has to change his midfield. Oli Coker is fit, while Tommy Backwell and Anthony Hartigan were also named as midfield cover at Thursday’s press conference. The replacement has not been confirmed.

Harry Cardwell and Promise Omochere are available again. Their return gives Dyer the chance to restore a focal point. For me, that matters against Halifax’s press: Southend need someone who can occupy the centre-halves and offer a pass beyond the first challenge. The midfield then has to get close enough to play from it; leaving the striker isolated would simply return possession.

Jack Sims is available after pain-free training; Ryan Colclough is probably too early, while Rico Richards needs minutes after illness. Dyer also plans another 28 days for Sean Keogh, the Brighton left-back providing cover for Kyle McAdam.

Against Halifax, I will be watching how the midfield supports the defence when possession changes. A gap between those units would give Cruz Allen, the Derby loanee, room to receive and turn. Southend need to close that space quickly when an attack breaks down.

Halifax will test the response

John McGrath’s side are tenth, with 20 points from 13 games, three points outside the play-offs. They have lost four of their six away league games, which is the encouraging part. They have, however, won their last two league games, 2-0 at Solihull and 4-1 against Gateshead. National League Cup victory over Stoke City’s youngsters and the 3-2 FA Cup win over South Shields complete that four-match run.

The South Shields game showed both sides of the threat. Conor Carty scored twice and Max Bardell once as Halifax went three ahead inside 23 minutes; two goals in consecutive second-half minutes then made the finish uncomfortable. McGrath praised the high press and fluidity that gave them control, while acknowledging that their distances and intensity deteriorated afterwards.

Carty headed in Connor Douglas’s right-wing delivery: exactly the sort of first contact Southend have brought Palmer in to help them win. If that ball comes in, the centre-half has to attack it while the defenders around him stay with their men. Allen’s free-kick led to Bardell’s goal, providing a second test at set pieces. Southend need to be organised before the delivery and stay alert if the ball breaks loose.

Eight Halifax players have started at least 11 league games. That is the familiarity Southend are promising to build after making nine changes for the cup tie. McGrath described a settled back four to the Courier and the paper expects an unchanged side, although that remains a forecast. Zak Gilsenan is expected to be available again; AJ Warburton is out with a fractured jaw.

Luke described Roots Hall as a free hit on the podcast. His view is that Southend’s more fluid, less physical style could suit Halifax’s young side better than previous visits. That is a supporter’s assessment worth taking seriously. Southend won both meetings last season, including 6-2 at The Shay, but McGrath has since taken charge and rebuilt much of the squad. I would not use last season’s scores as a reason to take this side lightly.

My call

The podcast predictions all put Southend’s score first:

Contributor	Prediction
Sensei Phil	3-2
Charlie	1-0
Chris B	2-2
Katie	2-1
Luke Walsh (Halifax guest)	3-2

I went for 2-2, and Palmer’s arrival does not make me rewrite the call. I am more hopeful about the defence with Palmer here, but Southend still have to show they can stop conceding cheap goals. Halifax have enough going forward to make Southend pay for another loose performance.

I want Southend to prove that prediction too cautious. A win would keep a good league run going, and it needs to come with the concentration to stop opponents getting free in front of goal. A reaction is the minimum.

Match details

Fixture: Southend United v FC Halifax Town
Competition: Enterprise National League
Venue: Roots Hall
Kick-off: Saturday 24 October 2026, 3pm BST
Tickets: Official match tickets