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Final Game!
Final Game!

Southend Preview

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 06/05/2005

SATURDAY marks the end of the 2004/05 when the Mariners entertain promotion chasing Southend United at Blundell Park, hoping to finish the season on a high note.

Home > 2004-2005 Season > Previews > Southend (h)


The Opposition

Overview
Saturday provides an interesting conundrum for Town fans. A win for the Mariners would mean rivals Scunthorpe are promoted, while a defeat could seriously thwart the Iron's promotion bid. Regardless of this though, Southend will be tough opposition. A poor start to the season saw the Shrimpers near the foot of the table. However, an excellent second half to the season has seen Steve Tilson's (left) men climb firmly into the promotion picture. Their form has wobbled since their LDV Final defeat to Wrexham, compounded by a defeat to Yeovil last weekend. However, promotion is still in their own hands with victory on Saturday taking them up to League One.

Their Squad
Solidarity starts from the back and in veteran defender Spencer Prior, Southend have just that. Another experienced defender, Duncan Jupp (left), who has appeared for Wimbledon, Fulham and Luton, joins the former Manchester City and Cardiff defender in the Southend back line. Luke Guttridge was snapped up from relegated Cambridge United in March while former Barnet midfielder Mark Gower provides creativity from the flanks or in the centre of midfield. In attack, Tilson can call upon Lawrie Dudfield, a former Hull City striker and also the former Wimbledon striker Wayne Gray.

Key Player
Freddy Eastwood (left). Explosive striker who joined the Shrimpers earlier this season for an undisclosed fee from Grays Atheltic. Netted against the Mariners back in November and has scored a total of 21 goals this term, making him one of the most feared strikers in the division.

Recent Form

 

TownSouthend
WKidderminster(a)4-1
DScunthorpe(h)0-0
DNotts Co(h)2-2
DWycombe(h)0-0
LMansfield(a)0-2
Currently 18th in League Two.
LYeovil(h)4-0
LOxford(a)2-1
WMacclesfield(a)0-0
LOrient(h)0-2
LWrexham(h)0-2 (LDV)
Currently 3rd in League Two.

Top Scorers

 

TownSouthend
Parkinson9
Reddy8
Eastwood21
Gray13

Team News

 

TownSouthend
  • Definitely missing for the Mariners is defender Rob Jones who has been told not to play following a blow to his head last week at Kidderminster. The former Stockport man has been suffering from concussion and won't take part.

  • This could pave way for the return of Terrell Forbes at the back, who was missing last week through illness. If Forbes fails to make it, then Simon Ramsden could be moved into the back three.

  • John Mcdermott and Martin Gritton both missed the game at Kidderminster last weekend and could both return, although neither are 100%, manager Russell Slade is unlikely to risk them aggravating their injuries that could damage their pre-seasons.
  • Jay Smith is still ruled out with an Achilles problem.

  • Midfielder Mark Bentley could earn a recall after impressing as a second-half sub last weekend.

  • Otherwise manager Steve Tilson has no new injury worries this week and so is expected to name an unchanged side from the one that lost to Yeovil last weekend.
  • Probable Teams

     

    TownSouthend
    1Anthony Williams
    6Terrell Forbes
    28Justin Whittle
    5Tony Crane
    9Simon Ramsden
    16Ronnie Bull
    16Jason Crowe
    17Thomas Pinault
    15Terry Fleming
    10Andy Parkinson
    14Michael Reddy
    13Darryl Flahavan
    2Duncan Jupp
    15Spencer Prior
    18Che Wilson
    6Adam Barrett
    29Luke Guttridge
    7Mark Gower
    8Kevin Maher
    10Carl Pettefer
    14Wayne Gray
    23Freddy Eastwood

    Subs

     

    TownSouthend
    11Stacy Coldicott
    12Graham Hockless
    25Glen Downey
    27Danny North
    30Nick Heggarty
    9Mark Bentley
    11Lawrie Dudfield
    1Bart Griemink
    5Andy Edwards
    28Alan McCormack

    Head to Head

    Town have enjoyed reasonable success against the Shrimpers, with 24 wins to their 17. We haven't lost at home to them since 1988 and our last few meetings ending in 4-0 and 5-1 wins for Town.

    P 53 W 24 D 12 L 17 F 72 A 64

    Southend Head-to-Head (18th on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    A Freddy Eastwood goal following a mistake by Rob Jones meant that Southend grabbed a point at Roots Hall back in November. The Mariners had previously taken the lead against the Shrimpers, through a rare John McDermott strike after 32 minutes. However, The Mariners were unable to hold on and were forced to settle for a point.

    Grimsby Team: Williams, McDermott, Whittle, Jones, Bull, Gordon, Pinault, Fleming, Crowe (Coldicott, 72), Parkinson, Cramb (Reddy, 66)
    Subs: (not used) Young,Sestanovich,Hockless

    Southend Team: Griemink, Jupp (Bramble, 76), Prior, Barrett, Wilson, Pettefer, Bentley, Hunt, Gower, Eastwood, Gray
    Subs: (not used) Nicolau,Dudfield,Morgan,Lawson

    Attendance: 5,192    Report

    Prediction

    1-1 draw

    1-1

    Recent Predictions

    GamePredictionScorePoints
    Scunthorpe2-10-00
    Notts Co1-12-21
    Wycombe2-00-00
    Mansfield2-10-20
    Boston1-11-13
    Oxford0-02-10
    Rochdale1-10-20
    Yeovil1-12-10
    Chester3-11-01
    Swansea1-10-01
    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.




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