Francis Laurent (ankle) is currently the only absentee from the Shrimpers squad.
Alan McCormack returns after missing the Chelsea game with a one match suspension.
Blues boss Steve Tilson has told his players that the game at Stockport will be just as difficult as playing Chelsea: "Stockport are doing really well and I actually think they are one of the best teams we've played so far this season. When we were up against them at Roots Hall they were excellent and we are going to be in for a real game. In actual fact it will be just as hard as playing Chelsea but we should at least have more of the ball. The lads really gave me everything and it could be a problem to get them back up but that's what we have to do. We have to lift them now and it's time for us to start again in the league. We're half way through our season and we want to kick on during the second half of the year and get up the table."
Skipper Adam Barrett took up the baton: "The Chelsea games have been brilliant and got the whole place buzzing again but we must make sure we don't suffer a cup hangover and do well in the league. We're back to reality now and it's important we apply ourselves correctly. It's a huge game at Stockport and we need a result because we've all been disappointed by the way things have been going in the league. We've shown what we can do and that should give us all a boost. We were up against a world class team and it took them two games to beat us. Our shape as a side was spot on in both games and that's what we need to keep on doing. Prior to that we had been far too open and our opponents had taken advantage of that. However we now want these Chelsea games to be a turning point in our season and hopefully it can kick start us again because when we're on song we're a good team. We can't hide behind tiredness and we have enough time to recover before the game. Stockport are a strong side but we're in good spirits and have key players back fit now which is also important."
Southend (from): Mildenhall, Sankofa, Clarke, Barrett, Herd, Grant, McCormack, Christophe, Stanislas, Barnard, Revell, Freedman, Francis, Betsy, Moussa, Joyce and Walker.
Manager Jim Gannon will check on the fitness of striker David Mooney before confirming his line-up. Mooney suffered a dead leg in midweek against Swindon and was replaced by Matty McNeil, who is on stand-by to deputise having overcome a back injury.
| 6 | Peterborough United | 23 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 21 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 45 | 30 | 43 | +15 | ||||
| 7 | Stockport County | 24 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 35 | 25 | 38 | +10 | ||||
| 8 | Tranmere Rovers | 23 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 22 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 33 | 29 | 37 | +4 | ||||
| 9 | Huddersfield Town | 25 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 34 | 36 | 37 | -2 | ||||
| 10 | Leeds United | 24 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 23 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 3 | 10 | 39 | 33 | 36 | +6 | ||||
The following statement is coutesy of stockportcounty.com.
Stockport County's success this season, under the guidance of Jim Gannon and his group of elite young players, building on the remarkable achievements of the past two years, have inevitably led to much speculation about the future.
However, the club wishes to make clear that the reality remains the same. The recent success has been built upon the development of young players who will, inevitably, attract interest from clubs at a higher level.
And if serious offers are made, which are in the best interests of the player and the club, then these offers will be accepted; like any other club we have to balance our ambition with the financial reality of our existence.
Likewise, Jim Gannon's three-year managerial record, which has seen him take the club from the brink of relegation to the Conference to seventh place in League 1, will also, inevitably, attract interest from higher-placed clubs. If an opportunity arises for Jim to manage at a higher level then we are duty bound to help him achieve his deserved rewards.
We would also like to confirm, though, that no enquiries for Jim or any of his players have been made.
County Chairman, Martin Reid, said: 'Jim deserves the compliment of being associated with available jobs in the Championship and, as a club, Stockport County would support him wholeheartedly in securing a move which his achievements merit
'However, Jim remains County manager. He is fully committed and has an imprehensive plan to remain competitive in League 1 and help take the club forward in these challenging financial times.'
(From Stockport's Vital Football site): So basically, the playing squad and our manager are up for sale and most rumours were true. Well done lads.
Let's just release a public statement to let the whole Football league know that we're skint and available to offers.
Great!
(So maybe things aren't too rosy down at Edgley Park, time to strike?)
PREVIOUSLY
May 1987 and, for those there, a never to be forgotten promotion party as Pennyfather and a late goal from Cadette sealed the points and made the Wolves fans, who had a chance of the going up themselves if we'd lost, get up and leave the stand. Great stuff and same again lads.
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REF
The man in the middle is Tony Bates from Stoke.
GROUND
The football club is now owned by the Stockport County Supporters Trust and the ground is shared with Sale Sharks Rugby Club.
WEATHER
Warmer at 7c's but HEAVY SHOWERS forecast, so bring your brolly with the open away end!
FIXTURES
Saturday, 17 January 2009 (all 15.00); Brighton v Leeds United, Carlisle v MK Dons, Colchester v Cheltenham, Crewe v Scunthorpe, Hereford v Oldham, Huddersfield v Swindon, Leyton Orient v Bristol Rovers, Millwall v Tranmere, Peterborough v Walsall.
Monday, 19 January 2009; Yeovil v Leicester, 19:45.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009 (both 19:45); Leyton Orient v Southend, Peterborough v MK Dons.
BET
Stockport (18/19) Draw (5/2) Southend (7/2)
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-one.
TRANSPORT
A last minute decision, go on, go for it! All the maps and info you need to get to Edgley Park, Last Call to Stockport here: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW4
PUB AND PIES
For a selection of the best pubs and to grab a pie go to Last Orders in Stockport here: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW8&id=426952
HISTORY
Stockport County were formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers by members of the Wycliffe Congregational Church, and played their first recorded game in October the next year. The club adopted 'The Hatters' as their nickname, owing to Stockport's history as the centre of the Victorian hat-making industry, a nickname that is shared with Luton Town.
Stockport played in the Lancashire League until 1900. They then gained admission to the Football League Second Division. Unfortunately, the club finished in the bottom three for their first four seasons and at the end of 1903-04 they failed to gain re-election. They spent one year in the Lancashire Combination, won the league, and were re-admitted to the Football League. County were fortunate that, despite an awful 1921-22 campaign that saw them end the season bottom of the Second Division, which would normally have seen them face re-election, they were placed in the brand new Third Division North.
The Hatters won the league at the first time of asking in 1921-22, but struggled and soon returned (1925-26) to the bottom division where, barring a couple of seasons, the club would stay for more than 40 years. The 1933-34 season saw goals galore, 115 in total, including a 13-0 win over Halifax Town, which still stands as a Football League record. In 1936-37 County won the Third Division North, but failed to gain a foothold in the Second Division, finished 22nd out of 22 and were relegated.
The 1950s brought little league success, but were notable for some fine goalscoring by Jack Connor, whose 140 goals are still a club record, including 13 hat-tricks, two instances of 4 goals in a match, and two of five goals in a match. When the regional Third Divisions were to be combined into national Third and Fourth Divisions after the 1957-58 campaign, Stockport managed to finish in the top half of the Third Division North and so were placed in the following season's national Third Division.
Just one season was spent at this level, Stockport were demoted and didn't return until winning the Fourth Division in 1966-67. After being relegated in 1969-70, the 1970s and 80's consisted of little other than mediocrity or struggling against re-election. The introduction of automatic promotion & relegation between the Football League & the Conference was not a good sign for Stockport and, in 1986-87 they had just 6 points from 13 games and faced a real prospect of non-League football, exemplified by crashing out of the FA Cup to Caernarfon Town. Colin Murphy was brought in for his second spell as manager, County gained 45 points from their final 31 games and survived, although Murphy left shortly after the end of the season.
Danny Bergara was appointed as manager in March 1989, quickly transforming the team and automatic promotion was gained in 1990-91. The next three seasons saw County make the play-offs, but failed to result in another promotion. In March 1995 Bergara was sacked after an altercation with then chairman Brendan Elwood, and Dave Jones was appointed manager. The 1996-97 campaign proved to be the most successful in the club's history, finishing 2nd in the Second Division and reaching the semi-final of the League Cup, knocking out three Premiership teams (Blackburn Rovers, Southampton & West Ham United) on the way before losing to Middlesbrough 2-1 on aggregate.
Jones left for Southampton, and a succession of managers were unable to build on the success of the 1990s, former England international Carlton Palmer failing to stop County being relegated in 2001-02 or to build a team capable of challenging for a return in subsequent seasons. Sammy McIlroy followed as manager in 2003 but more poor results led to his sacking, and the appointment of Chris Turner just one year later. Another relegation followed, and Turner himself lasted just one year in charge, resigning after a 6-0 defeat to local rivals Macclesfield Town that left County five points adrift of safety & facing a third relegation in just four years.
Former player Jim Gannon was placed in charge, initially as caretaker-manager. He led the club to safety in 2005-06 and County sustained a promotion challenge the next season, eventually missing out on the League Two playoffs on goal difference. The 2007-08 season was more successful, and despite losing an FA Cup match to non-League Staines Town, County finished 4th and beat Rochdale 3-2 in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium to earn promotion to League One.