Another day, another game.
A match whose significance can be judged by any number of different criteria. A chance to get to Wembley, to stretch an unbeaten and clean sheet run, to rest some players and give others game time or just another 90 minutes (plus pens perhaps) to get out of the way, injury and suspension free, before the real stuff commences again at Peterboro.
at worst it means some actual ball kicking to talk about rather than t***o****s
Southend is close enough while Roots Hall's old fashioned away end plus memories of last year's come from behind victory on a Friday night may tempt a few more than normal out of doors for a JPT game. Plenty more will shrug their shoulders with indifference at both the game and competition (unless we lose of course when it will then take on huge significance).
Robbie Elliot has been quoted as saying more games the better to help gel the team and increase fitness which might hint at a strong side. Rules mean that at least six of the regular starting XI or the last starting XI or the next starting XI have to play. Or something like that. I wonder if anyone is really counting but some changes seem likely.
Smokin' Joe Anyinsah went off injured at Barnet leaving little pace up front but Martin will be available again and may want to renew the partnership with Abbott that produced goals v Shewsbury.
McCormack will want a start against his old club as will the almost certain to start Francis. Macca could replace either of the centre mid pair.
Fortune must also expect to get a game sometime and with his contract only having weeks to run badly needs more outings if he is to prove his worth but the defence is starting to look solid. Another dilemma for Phil.
My guess is that Parky had already picked his teams for both this weeks games before the FA Cup trip and that we'll see a few but not too many changes.
Southend have struggled since relegation last year but they did beat promotion contenders Rotherham last week and overcome Barnet 3 - 1 in the last round of the JPT so this will not be a walk-over.
However I still expect an unspectacular 1 - 0 away win with our first penalty of the season.
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Comments
The father-in-law was driving but has now backed out.....
Fancy us 1 or 2 nil. Few changes from Saturday. Anyinsah definitely rested. Think Akpo might get a look in as will McCormack and Fortune. Would personally go for the following:
Worner
Francis
Doherty
Fortune
Fry
Martin
Racon
McCormack
Reid
Sodje
Benson
Not sure if that covers the 6 regular starters though.
JPT games go straight to penalties.
Good point.
Team:
Worner
Francis
Fortune
Daily (c)
Jackson
Wagstaff
McCormack
Semedo
Reid
Sodje
Benson
Subs:
Elliot
Doherty
Racon
Martin
Abbot
and was pleased to see a victory but as time has worn on my apathy for it has returned and this is a nuisance
as much as a day out at wembley would please our day tripping/inside the M25/new ground part of our support , this being printed onto our limited honours list would be all too much of a reminder as to what a poor excuse for a "role model" football club that we have become and for it to be so soon after tasting the high life is just a stark reminder at some of the monumental amateur decisions that have been taken by those unlucky/lucky enough to be in the position to make them
I fancy a comfortable victory all the same and I'm currently 33% will go to the game, 66% will stay indoors and put the kids to bed before wasting another 2 hours of my life reading charlton life and 1% will start to go the game hit some M25 traffic and find an excuse to go back home
Francis
Dailiy
Fortune
Fry
Jackson
McCormack
Racon
Reid
Abbot
Benson
Other than that i reckon a 2-0 win for us.
However I am concerned that its yet another match where we could pick up an injury or two to 'key' players - because of the silly 6 player rule - which may affect us in the league, especially with such an important away game coming up at Peterborough on Saturday.
United are going to be 'up for it' - they will see it as their cup final and wanting to put one over us. I hope my concerns are ill-founded and all turns out well with a win and no injuries, bookings or sending offs!
Sadly cant listen to it or report on it here as I'm at work from 4 to midnight, just hope to see good news when I get home in the early hours of tomorrow.
Hope all that are going enjoy themselves and the journey home.
Francis Fortune Doherty Fry
Martin Racon McCormack Reid
Sodje Abbott
Give Sodje a chance up front, and Abbott to see if he can get some form and he also seems to score in the cups for us.
Fortune and McCormack for some game time.
Ayinsah rested for the league and he seems a bit injury prone, give Dailly and Semedo a rest
I think we'll win
Whether we like it or not, we are where we are. FACT !
And if that means a trip to the Costa Del Southend on a wet, windy November evening, so be it.
Of course it's another potential banana skin ; of course Parky might rather have a match free week until the important game at Peterborough on Saturday and of course we'll be praying for an injury free game tonight....
But it's just another match for the diehards ( or should that be masochists?) like myself who give their support whenever it's possible with the hope that another victory will be a further step in the "gelling" process we speak about and enhance the confidence that our team was lacking a few weeks back.
Yes, it would be great to visit the "new" Wembley ( if we can afford the tickets) but for me, that's just a perk - the continuation of winning ways and the obvious benefits that gives to everyone concerned with our Club is what really counts.
I'm proud to be one of the 33% so that you, as one of the 66% can have a stress free evening in the warm and reap the benefits if we succeed in this competition.
See you at Wembley, mate , or on second thoughts, you'll probably be washing your hair.....
Or are we, will we suddenly wake up and Curbs walk out of the shower Bobby Ewingesque and we find we are still in the prem? and the only relevance Johnstone Paint has to us is the can we brought in Homebase.
My wife isn't well so I should probably go home and look after her and put our daughter to bath and bed
And Call of Duty came out today so I could play that
But part of me just can't resist those boys in red - especially as my mate is a Shrimper and will be there
I think I'll put in a call to the Mrs and see how she is feeling - just in case she's had a Lazarus-style return to health
Seems Lazarus hasn't been seen anywhere near my house - the reaper is more likely. I guess that answers that one then.
Worner
Francis----Dailly--Fortune----Fry
Semedo
Wagstaff
Jackson
Racon
Benson---Anyinsah
Though I am positive Racon and Semedo will be side by side.
Railway Tavern is the best pre match pub for beer and nibbles.
Think we will get turned over tonight.
Elliot, Francis, Fortune, Dailly, Fry, Waggy, Racon, Semedo, McCormack, Martin, Benson
Come On You REDS!!!!!!