Leeds should face Laurent and Harding but not Barnard or Freedman

Last updated : 29 October 2008 By Shrimpers24

Blues boss Steve Tilson, speaking to www.southendunited.co.uk, is well aware of the past history of Leeds United and the damage they can cause in the present: "Leeds are a great club with a great history and without the points deduction last season I think they would have gone up. It couldn't be a harder game for us but it should be a good atmosphere because you know there will be a good attendance and they will be looking to get up this year."

Left back Dan Harding, on loan from Ipswich Town, supported Leeds as a boy and went on play for them, a period he describes as 'a little disappointing': "I don't think I really showed the player I could be when I was there. I'm a lot better now that I was when I went there and with the injuries I had there too it meant it never really happened for me."

He went on to explain why it was Leeds for the Gloucester born lad: "I lived in Germany for a while when I was younger and that was the only football they showed out there. They won the league that year too and that's how I got into liking them. Because of that when I got the phone call about Leeds being in for me it was something I was interested in straight away. They even flew me back from a holiday in Orlando."

As for his dismissal that led to him being out of the side for the last three games: "It's been very annoying especially as it was never a red card but that's football and you have to get on with it." And tonight I'm sure he will.

No official confirmation but a very strong hint that Francis Laurent will make his first full match debut, as Barny did last year and look what happened then, for James Walker. Though 90 minutes is a lot different from a starring cameo as a late sub the other Frenchman deserves his chance. Personally, though fairly ordinary since his recall, I would have played Walker for the variety but Revell will do as Barnard has been confirmed unfit.

What we certainly miss about Dougie, (if in fact we do, see below), is not only his goals but his ability to hold up play and bring players around him into the action, something Alex, with his awkward close control, continues to be inconsistant in as well as his lack of winning balls in the air his height should allow. Big game Alex, let's see what the Brighton fans did.

A match made for Betsy to do the business over the whole game as well.

Shrimpers everywhere will hope Sawyer is fully fit but also be convinced that Macca will not let anyone down, except possibly the referee!

However the official site had Freedman out with his thigh injury, and they should know, but that hasn't stopped Dougie talking to the Yorkshire Evening Post about how desperate he is to play.

Freedman did train with Southend United's squad yesterday, four weeks after sustaining a thigh strain, and he is willing Tilly to include him.

Leeds bypassed the chance to sign Dougie permanently, leaving the way clear for Southend to capture the forward on a free transfer from Crystal Palace, but he expressed his gratitude today for the four-month stay in Yorkshire which saw him help United reach the League One play-off final.

Freedman told the YEP: "I've been out for four weeks with this injury and it's felt more like four years but I've picked a good game to be back for. If things had happened differently in the summer then I could have been wearing a different shirt tonight but I prefer to count my blessings. I had a magical time with Leeds and I'm loving my time at Southend. When football tells you to move on, that's what you do. If I play tonight then you'll get total effort from me but not because I want to prove that Leeds were wrong in not signing me. That's petty. Gary McAllister had other plans and a manager has to be his own man. I completely respect that. For me, my time at Leeds was a pleasure and an absolute honour. People tend to say that off the cuff whenever they go to Leeds but I really mean it. To have that club on my CV and to say that what I did there was appreciated by the supporters - which I think it was - is a big thing. Even if I pop a couple of goals in tonight, I hope the Leeds fans will recognise that I'm doing what a striker does. There'll be no stupid celebrations or anything like that because I valued all the support they gave me."

Freedman's ability to perform in League One, has been apparent again this season, and his four league appearances have produced the same number of goals. Southend have won two of five matches in his absence, and the club are relying on a strong home record to keep them in touch with the play-off positions in the League One table, five points behind Leeds.

Leeds failed to win either of their previous two visits to Roots Hall, losing 1-0 last season and drawing 1-1 during the previous term, and Freedman said:

"It's a difficult ground to come to. Elland Road is a massive stadium and the noise in there can be crazy but Roots Hall is a tight little ground and it's very intense. Our home form is crucial to us this season and even though Leeds are second in the league, we have to be looking to beat them. They're in great form and Gary must be happy with their position. They've had a good start and the thing about Leeds is they'll finish the season as strongly as any other team. That's what they did last year, and I would argue that the season ended too soon. We were on such a good roll that I still believe six more games would have taken us up automatically."

Is Tilly throwing a curve ball about Dougie, probably not, but we await with added interest the line up being called out at Roots Hall this evening.