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By contrast, Southend's 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday was their first win since a 4-2 triumph over Boston eight days before Christmas, but it did guide United into a safe position eleven points clear of the relegation places. It also took them seven points away from the play-off zone, but if manager Rob Newman and his new assistant Stewart Robson, who starts work as first-team coach on Monday, want to push for promotion then the four home games out of the next five matches must provide more fruit than the previous twelve, where the Shrimpers have won five and lost seven in the League this season.
Blues gaffer Rob Newman has selection problems ahead of the game, and they are not all posed by injuries. Club captain Kevin Maher returns to the first team squad having netted a consolation goal for the Reserves on Wednesday and serving out his two-match ban for reaching ten cautions in a season. Maher's availability means that the midfield that inspired victory over Shrewsbury in mid-week could be broken up. Jay Smith scored the winner at Gay Meadow and Daryl Sutch was his partner, but Newman will have to prune two from the three unless he reverts back to the 4-5-1 formation from which the Seasiders have not won a game this campaign.
On the flanks Newman also has choices. Steven Clark and Danny Marney were influential in securing victory, and Clark in particular was back to his terrorising form of last season. He is likely to continue on the left-hand side of midfield, whilst Marney will play the last game of his one-month loan spell from Brighton & Hove Albion. He could remain in the fray if the manager decides to extend his deal. Neil Jenkins remains capable of filling the left midfield role if called upon.
The centre of defence is more clear cut. Dave McSweeney and Leon Cort are the club's only two fit first-team regulars in that position, with Phil Whelan still attempting to overcome a troublesome knee injury and Stephen Broad having undergone surgery on his hernia in the past seven days. The former Chelsea Reserve team captain will be out until early March. Mark Beard could retain the captain's armband if Maher is confined to the bench, and he should fill the right-back position, with experienced pro Damon Searle at left-back. Tom Jordan and Neil Jenkins are standing by for defensive positions. Danny Gay remains the only contracted goalkeeper at the club, and will play his third consecutive match.
Up front, just three fit strikers remain. Tes Bramble appears to have his place in the side guaranteed as top scorer, but he has not netted since the Torquay game nearly a month ago. Mark Rawle partnered him on Tuesday, and should continue, although Barrington Belgrave is another option. Graeme Jones is still out and he has been joined by Mark Salter on the sidelines, the former Frome Town hitman having sustained an ankle ligament problem in training during the week.
Rochdale have just two problems in selection. Patrick McCourt will definitely miss out through injury, as will midfielder Chris Beech, who is nearing a return to action. Their side could include former loanee Shrimper Richard Jobson who is moving into coaching much like our own Steve Tilson, and up front Clive Platt and Paul Connor are the men to watch. Northern Ireland international Lee McEvilly and Kevin Townson have struggled to find the same form as last season in the striking positions and one will be confined to the bench. In recent times manager Paul Simpson has been blooding youngsters in the defence in a desperate effort to push his side up the table.
LAST MATCHES
Shrewsbury Town 0 Southend United 1 (Smith 20). Line-up: Danny Gay; Mark Beard, Leon Cort, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle; Danny Marney (Barrington Belgrave 85), Daryl Sutch, Jay Smith, Steven Clark; Tes Bramble, Mark Rawle. Subs not used: Stuart Thurgood, Neil Jenkins, Tom Jordan, Mark Salter.
Preston North End 1 (Anderson 48) Rochdale 2(McEvilly 39, Simpson 54). Line-up: Neil Edwards; Wayne Evans, Richard Jobson, Simon Grand, Matt Doughty, Scott Warner; David Flitcroft, Michael Oliver, Lee McEvilly; Clive Platt (Paul Simpson 51), Paul Connor. Subs not used: Matthew Gilks, Gavin Melaugh, Kevin Townson, Stephen Hill.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
31st August 2002 - Rochdale 1 Southend United 2 (Rawle 35, Bramble 83) - Third Division
9th March 2002 - Southend United 0 Rochdale 0 - Third Division
15th December 2001 - Rochdale 0 Southend United 1 (Broad 7) - Third Division
3rd March 2001 - Southend United 3 (Whelan 30, Lee 44 [pen], 57) Rochdale 0 - Third Division
30th September 2000 - Rochdale 0 Southend United 1 (Carruthers 31) - Third Division
Southend United (from): Danny Gay, Mark Beard, Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Tom Jordan, Damon Searle, Neil Jenkins, Danny Marney, Daryl Sutch, Jay Smith, Kevin Maher, Steve Tilson, Steven Clark, Mark Rawle, Barrington Belgrave, Tesfaye Bramble.
Rochdale (from): Neil Edwards, Matthew Gilks, Wayne Evans, Scott Warner, Richard Jobson, Simon Grand, Matt Doughty, Gareth Griffiths, Lee Duffy, Stephen Hill, David Flitcroft, Gavin Melaugh, Paul Simpson, Michael Oliver, Clive Platt, Paul Connor, Lee McEvilly, Kevin Townson.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Iain Williamson (Reading)
Assistant Referees: Ian Bentley (Kent), Graham Horwood (Luton)
This is Williamson’s first season on the Football League panel, and so far he has refereed just two matches, both in Division Three. The first, on 28th December, saw the Berkshire official book three players as Oxford beat Rushden 2-0 at Nene Park and the second witnessed seven cautions last weekend as Torquay disposed of York 3-1 at Plainmoor. There were three bookings for the home side and four for the visitors. As yet, he has not produced a red card in the League.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overall:
Southend United: 17
Rochdale: 10
Draws: 9
At Roots Hall:
Southend United: 8
Rochdale: 4
Draws: 5
League meetings:
Southend United: 17
Rochdale: 9
Draws: 9
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com