Southend United make the short journey to take on a high flying Peterborough side who find themselves in 3rd place in League One – Just a single point behind the MK Dons. A win for the Posh could see them overtake the MK Dons and nip into the second automatic promotion place.
Vital Quotes:
‘This is a vital game for us and we know we have to be right at it to get the three points because Southend are in good form – probably the best form in the division. I fully expect them to make a late charge for the play-offs and earlier in the season they caused us quite a few problems’, manager Darren Ferguson said on the Peterborough Official Website.
Southend United’s gaffer Steve Tilson who was speaking on the clubs Official Website said, ‘Peterborough are a good side and their league position says everything about them,’ he said.’
‘George Boyd, Aaron Mclean and Craig Mackail-Smith are the three players that have stood out.’
Meanwhie Assistant Manager Paul Brush is hoping that the blues can come to the party against one of the better League One sides, ‘We’d like to feel our players come to the fore and are at their best when they play against the bigger sides and this is definitely one of those occasions.’ , BBC Essex
Peterborough Team News:
Midfielder Lee Frecklington (Hamstring) is set to sit this one out.
They will go into the game without both Gabriel Zakuani (Neck) and Shuan Batt (Groin) but will be boosted by the news that Tom Williams has returned to the squad after a spell out with a Knee injury.
Player to watch: Craig Mackail-Smith
The former Dagenham & Redbridge striker has been a revelation since he joined the Posh, scoring at nearly a goal every other game. Southend United’s recent improved defence will have to continue tomorrow to fend off the advances of the Striker that has hit the back of the net 21 times this season
The Blues Team News:
Another game missed by the now injury prone Dougie Freedman as he hasn’t recovered from an earlier Thigh injury.
Lee Barnard is expected to start at the expense of Francis Laurent (Hamstring), it is thought that the injury to Laurent isn’t as bad as first feared.
Alex Revell (Ankle) won’t feature again this season but is now at least off the crutches and doing some very light gym work.
James Walker (Hamstring) is back in training but not quite ready for a return to the squad.
Player to watch: Theo Robinson
The young Watford loanee has been in terriffic form just lately and his genuine pace could well be a threat for Southend to get in behind the Peterborough defence, in addition to his goals he is also a good creator for the team, setting up Franck Moussa in the recent derby day outing at Colchester.
Last Fixture:
You have to have a good memory to recall the events of the very first game of the season, for those who haven’t here are the stats.
Football League One – KO 15:00
Southend 1 (0) – 0(0) Peterborough
Clarke 76
At Roots Hall on 09-08-2008
Southend:
Mildenhall ,Francis ,Clarke ,Barrett ,Harding ,Scannell (Betsy ,71 ) ,Bailey ,Moussa ,Walker (Grant ,83 ) ,Furlong (Revell ,88 ) ,Barnard
Subs not used:
Sankofa,Joyce,
Peterborough:
Lewis ,Martin ,Morgan ,Westwood ,Williams ,Whelpdale (Torres ,80 ) ,Lee ,Keates ,Boyd ,McLean ,Mackail-Smith
Subs not used
Tyler,Blackett,Hyde,Rendell
Bookings:
Boyd ,Lee ,Williams (Peterborough)
Attendance:
8665
Referee:
D Whitestone (Northampton)
Ref Watch:
Referee: A Haines
Mr Haines has taken charge of 22 League One games this season issuing 61 Yellow Cards and 2 Red Cards
Match Prediction:
Peterborough have won their last two games by a goal to nil but with Southend’s much improved reargard I am hoping that we can keep them at bay.
Southend are the form side in League One having won their last 3 games including the very impressive 2:0 victory against Scuntorpe last time out.
My big game prediction is:
Peterborough 1:2 Southend
Next Fixtures:
Both teams are in action next Tuesday, with the Posh away at Leyton Orient whilst Southend face a return to Roots Hall to host Millwall
