Preview - Southend V Norwich

Over the years the teams have met 60 times, with Southend winning 24 of them, and 17 have draws, with Norwich winning 19 of the games. 30 of the 60 games have been at home, and Southend have won 53% of the games (16/30)

Southend's biggest result against Norwich was back in 1946/1947 season with Southend winning 5-1 away at Norwich. However, Norwich got there own back on The Blues in the 1955/1956 season when they stuffed us 7-2 at Carrow Road.

Southend last met Norwich in the League Division One 1996/1997 season, this came ironically was also on a Tuesday night at Roots Hall, the games ended 1-1.

Southend have scored more goals over the years in this fixture, scoring 91 goals against the Canaries, which is 1.52 per game. Norwich themselves have scores 80 against the Blues, which is 1.33 per game.

These two teams first met in the 1920/1921 season in what was the Third Division back then, in both fixtures the score was 3-1 to the home team.

Team News

Southend may look to give a full debut to Matt Harold now that he has had a taste of Roots Hall after he came on as a sub against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.

That would be the only chance the Steve Tilson is likely to make, as Southend picked up no fresh injury worries at the weekend 0-0 draw.

Efe Sodje may return to the bench after his comeback game for the reserves last week was a big success, he is looking to force his way back into the starting eleven as soon as possible.

Tilson realises that it wont be an easy game against Norwich on Tuesday, “It is going to be a big game for us against Norwich on Tuesday; they're a good side with pace in Darren Huckerby and Reobert Earnshaw, who can hurt you.”, he told the official site.

He went onto say “It wasn't long ago that they were in the premiership, but we are at home and it will be up to us to take the initiative”

Norwich who have made a good start to the new season lost at the weekend away at Coventry City 3-0. And manager Nigel Worthington has said that his team let there standards slip, and has told his players to get back on track when they come to Roots Hall,

“It was a disappointing performance,” he said. “The standards wasn't up to scratch – we gave away the ball cheaply and didn't pass it as well as we have been doing”

He also stated he has a couple of players needing x-rays, “I've got a coupe of players who needs x-rays on cheekbones which hasn't been picked up by the referee”, Worthington explained.

We have learned today that Darren Huckerby will miss th game and Nigel Worthington, may have to make a couple more changes to his team ahead of the game at Roots Hall on Tuesday evening, the games kicks of at 7.45 at Roots Hall

Possible Teams

Martin Paterson
www.thelittlegazette.com