Most people already know that our record at home to Orient is shocking in recent years. Southend have not beaten their East London rivals for a massive sixteen years at Roots Hall, and indeed have lost out by the odd goal for the past two seasons. But this match is simply a must-win game for Rob Newman and his men. Having lost the last five matches, Blues are in danger of equalling the club record six defeats in a row, and in the process losing an outright record ten home matches in a season. Orient, by contrast, are in almost exactly the same situation as the Shrimpers – the fans are clambering onto the back of boss Paul Brush and the O’s have won just one game in their last eight. Quite simply, on current form, tomorrow pits the two worst teams in Division Three against each other.
At the Shrimpers Trust Question and Answer session, boss Newman came across very well, attempting as he did to put a brave face on what is a desperate situation at the club. He revealed his reasons for the release of Barrington Belgrave, and the ex-Yeovil man will not appear for United again this term. He has, though, turned down the opportunity of signing for one of Kettering Town and Hereford United, both in the Nationwide Conference. Another of the three released, Graeme Jones, today departed for Boston United, whilst the club’s top-scorer, Tesfaye Bramble, also has his career at the club under threat. Ron Martin revealed at the Q&A, when he also told the fans attending at the Shrimpers Bar that the B&Q development at Fossett’s Farm had to be put before a Public Enquiry, delaying any submittal of stadium plans for at least four months, that Bramble had the offer of a new contract before the Swansea City debacle, but that had been ripped apart until the former Cambridge City man bucked his ideas up.
This raises the possibility of who will take up the striking positions against Orient. Mark Salter has given his all in the last two games, although a goalbound threat has been minimal, and Mark Rawle is still out with a hamstring injury. Belgrave will definitely miss out, and with another option in Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Daniel Marney having returned to the south coast outfit, the former Frome Town marksman looks set to partnered by either Bramble or ex-Leicester City forward Brett Darby. Darby has been employed predominantly as a winger in his senior career at Roots Hall, but has performed as an out-and-out striker in both the reserve and under-19 teams. Newman’s promised attempts at signing a new front man have fallen through, although a decision on trialist Scott Partridge will have to be made before next week’s transfer deadline.
The midfield, too, could have a new look. One-time West Ham United winger Steven Clark has returned to the team as a left-sided talent in 2003, but he now appears likely to fill Marney’s void on the right-hand side. This will allow Neil Jenkins to continue in his role as left flank man. In the middle, Jay Smith could miss the rest of the current campaign with a stress fracture in his groin, which requires rest and possibly even surgery. Club captain Kevin Maher is, therefore, almost certainly set to be joined by tenacious Stuart Thurgood in the centre of the park. Versatile Daryl Sutch is the only other real option available to the manager with such a small squad to hand, although both Mark Beard and Dave McSweeney have performed there in the Avon Insurance Combination – ironically against the O’s.
Defensively, Blues as a unit have been solid for much of the season, with Newman alluding to individual errors accounting for many of the goals conceded over the past eight months. Damon Searle, who brought down Lee Jenkins for Swansea’s penalty on Tuesday evening, should continue at left-back, whilst the likelihood is that Sutch will perform at right-back. In the middle, Leon Cort and Tottenham Hotspur loanee Stephen Kelly almost certainly complete a decent back four. Tom Jordan and McSweeney complete the possibilities, with Stephen Broad continuing to miss out and Phil Whelan on his way. Newman also revealed to the ranks of the Southend United Supporters Club Trust in mid-week that Danny Gay would be given another opportunity before the end of the season, and tomorrow seems as good a time as any after Darryl Flahavan’s recent failings. Either way, one of the two will definitely take up their place between the sticks.
Our East London opposition do not come to the Hall without their fair share of problems. Forward Chris Tate is certainly out of the starting line-up, so ex-Hull City striker Gary Alexander looks set to begin the match alongside Lee Thorpe up front. Matthew Brazier has struggled with a back injury, but could return to the side, as may ex-Southend midfielder Carl Hutchings, who was dropped by Paul Brush as the O’s went down to AFC Bournemouth. Other former Shrimpers Matt Lockwood and Andy Harris should start.
So, let’s hope that the recent trends can be reversed, and it is Southend United that take all three points from Leyton Orient tomorrow afternoon. If they don’t, a real relegation battle could be on the cards, but let’s not think about that…
TEAM DETAILS
The Little Gazette Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2): Danny Gay; Daryl Sutch, Leon Cort, Stephen Kelly, Damon Searle; Steven Clark, Kevin Maher, Stuart Thurgood, Neil Jenkins; Brett Darby, Mark Salter.
Full Southend United Matchday Squad: Darryl Flahavan, Danny Gay, Daryl Sutch, Mark Beard, Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Stephen Kelly, Tom Jordan, Damon Searle, Steven Clark, Kevin Maher, Stuart Thurgood, Neil Jenkins, Steve Tilson, Brett Darby, Tesfaye Bramble, Mark Salter.
Leyton Orient (from): Lee Harrison, Glenn Morris, Matt Joseph, Billy Jones, Kevin Stephens, Gabriel Zakuani, Danny Barnard, Carl Hutchings, Ciaran Toner, John Martin, Andy Harris, Matt Lockwood, Matt Brazier, Gary Alexander, Lee Thorpe, Jabo Ibehre.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mark Warren (Walsall)
Assistant Referees: Jarnail Singh (Middlesex), Gavin Ward (Beckenham)
Card-happy referee Warren has brandished 116 cautions and seven red cards in thirty games this season, although none of them have involved Southend. We were also lucky enough to avoid the Walsall whistle-blower in 2001/2, when 82 yellows and seven reds left his hand in just 23 games, and only had him the twice in 2000/1, away to Torquay United when he booked three players including Martyn Booty. Incredibly, in an F.A. Trophy match between Chester City and Canvey Island he even went without administering any punishment. Not so lucky were Blues second time around as Scott Forbes, David Lee, Leon Johnson, Damon Searle and Phil Whelan all found their way into his book at Hartlepool, when ex-Shrimper Mark Tinkler, Paul Arnison and Gary Strodder were also cautioned. And back on 13th March 1999, Rob Newman and Mark Beard were both sent off in the space of a quarter-of-an-hour against Exeter City at Roots Hall, both for second bookable offences.
TEAM FORM
Southend United
L0-2 (home; Swansea City)
L1-2 (away; Hartlepool United; Sutch)
L0-1 (home; Lincoln City)
L0-1 (away; Kidderminster Harriers)
L1-2 (away; Macclesfield Town; Jenkins)
Leyton Orient
L1-3 (away; AFC Bournemouth; Thorpe)
L1-2 (home; Bristol Rovers; Lockwood [pen])
L1-3 (away; Macclesfield Town; Thorpe)
D1-1 (home; Exeter City; Thorpe)
W2-0 (away; Oxford United; Tate, Harris)
Southend United Home Form
L0-2 (Swansea City)
L0-1 (Lincoln City)
W2-1 (Rushden & Diamonds; Rawle, Searle)
D2-2 (Bristol Rovers; Belgrave, Maher)
W3-0 (Hull City; Smith 2 [1 pen], Rawle)
Leyton Orient Away Form
L1-3 (AFC Bournemouth; Thorpe)
L1-3 (Macclesfield Town; Thorpe)
W2-0 (Oxford United; Tate, Harris)
D1-1 (Lincoln City; Brazier)
W1-0 (Bury; Martin)
2002/3 SEASON
Southend United (Overall [Home])
League:
Played: 38 [19]
Won: 14 [9]
Drawn: 3 [1]
Lost: 21 [9]
Scored: 40 [22]
Conceded: 52 [21]
Goal Difference: -12 [+1]
Points: 45 [28]
Position: 14th [13th]
F.A. Cup: Second Round; L2-3 (AFC Bournemouth; away replay)
Worthington Cup: First Round; L1-4 (Wimbledon; home)
LDV Vans Trophy: First Round; L1-6 (Swindon Town; away)
Leyton Orient (Overall [Away])
League:
Played: 38 [19]
Won: 12 [5]
Drawn: 8 [3]
Lost: 18 [11]
Scored: 40 [18]
Conceded: 48 [28]
Goal Difference: -8 [-10]
Points: 44 [18]
Position: 16th [18th]
F.A. Cup: First Round; L0-1 (Margate; away replay)
Worthington Cup: Second Round; L2-3 (Birmingham City; home)
LDV Vans Trophy: Second Round; L0-1 (AFC Bournemouth; away)
THE HISTORY
Phil Whelan has had an eventful time against Orient over the years, but he will not be involved tomorrow
Last Five Meetings
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Phil Whelan has had an eventful time against Orient over the years, but he will not be involved tomorrow |
29th October 2002 – Leyton Orient 2 (Iriekpen 2, Whelan [o.g.] 45) Southend United 1 (Belgrave 73) – Third Division
12th March 2002 – Leyton Orient 2 (Nugent 12, Christie 31) Southend United 1 (Barry-Murphy 63) – Third Division
1st September 2001 – Southend United 1 (Whelan 48) Leyton Orient 2 (Constantine 2, Smith 79) – Third Division
20th January 2001 – Leyton Orient 0 Southend United 2 (Abbey 60, 64) – Third Division
26th December 2000 – Southend United 0 Leyton Orient 1 (Griffiths 90) – Third Division
Complete Head-to-Head Record
2002/3 – A1-2 (League)
2001/2 – H1-2, A1-2 (League)
2000/1 – H0-1, A2-0 (League)
1999/2000 – H1-1, A1-2 (League)
1998/9 – H2-2, A3-0 (League)
1990/1 – H1-1, A1-0 (League), A2-3 (F.A. Cup)
1986/7 – H2-1, A0-1 (League)
1985/6 – H5-1, A0-3 (League)
1984/5 – H0-0, A1-2 (League Cup)
1983/4 – H3-0, A0-1 (League)
1982/3 – H1-1, A1-1 (League)
1955/6 – H0-0, A0-3 (League)
1954/5 – H1-2, A1-5 (League)
1953/4 – H2-1, A1-1 (League)
1952/3 – H1-0, A0-3 (League)
1951/2 – H1-0, A4-1 (League)
1950/1 – H0-1, A1-1 (League)
1949/50 – H2-0, A2-2 (League), A2-0 (F.A. Cup)
1948/9 – H2-2, A0-2 (League)
1947/8 – H2-1, A0-2 (League)
1946/7 – H0-0, A1-1 (League)
1938/9 – H1-0, A0-5 (League)
1937/8 – H1-1, A1-2 (League)
1936/7 – H0-0, A0-3 (League)
1935/6 – H2-1, A0-3 (League)
1934/5 – H0-2, A0-3 (League)
1933/4 – H2-1, A2-5 (League)
1932/3 – H3-3, A0-0 (League)
1931/2 – H1-3, A4-2 (League)
1930/1 – H2-0, A1-3 (League)
1929/30 – H4-1, A1-1 (League)
Summary
Overall Record
Southend United: 19
Leyton Orient: 26
Draws: 18
At Roots Hall
Southend United: 12
Leyton Orient: 7
Draws: 10
In The League
Southend United: 18
Leyton Orient: 24
Draws: 17
Robert Craven