Having safely negotiated an away draw with high-flying Cambridge United on Boxing Day, Blues manager Rob Newman will be hoping for more of the same from his troops against the Iron. The game was put back a day earlier in the season to allow the Shrimpers' squad an extra day's rest after the East Anglian derby, and the last match of 2002 is set to see a large crowd with the club laying on pre-match entertainment from two o'clock.
However, that may not have been the case had the Shrimpers lost their fourth consecutive away match at the Abbey Stadium three days ago. That they didn't, and could have even won the encounter, appears to have bought Newman a little while longer in the hot seat. The 1-1 result was founded upon a strong defensive base, with Mark Beard becoming a fifth midfielder to partner Kevin Maher, and this could be the case again at the Hall.
Southend had leaked eight goals in the previous three games, and Phil Whelan was also recalled to the starting line-up. He should once again partner Leon Cort to take on Shrimpers old boy Martin Carruthers and strong strike partner Steve Torpey. Stephen Broad still has a month to go of his recovery period having undergone treatment on his injured hernia. Damon Searle was much improved at Cambridge, and seems likely to keep Neil Jenkins out of the side, although the England Under-20 international did return to the squad on Thursday.
The main area of contention appears to be the formation. Should Newman feel like tinkering, then there is a straight choice between Dave McSweeney at right-back and the return of Tony Scully on the left wing. McSweeney was severely tested by Shane Tudor and Omer Riza, and only just managed to avoid been sent off. Scully was unable to take his place for Blues at his contracted club as part of a clause in his contract, but is once again available for the visit of Scunny.
If Newman perseveres with 4-5-1, Scully would be consigned to the bench, whilst reverting to 4-4-2 is likely to see McSweeney being dropped with Beard returning to his familiar right-back role. Loanee Danny Marney should be safe either way after impressing on the right, and Mark Rawle, who has four goals in five games, could start on the left-wing or as Tes Bramble's partner up front. Graeme Jones looks likely to stay amongst the substitutes, with Jay Smith and captain Kevin Maher almost certain to start. Stuart Thurgood sits out the second game of his three-match suspension.
Scunthorpe arrive in south-east Essex having not won any of their previous four League games, despite defeating Carlisle at Brunton Park in an F.A. Cup Second Round Replay. Boxing Day witnessed a 0-0 home draw with former Division Three front-runners Rushden & Diamonds. Long-standing boss Brian Laws was unimpressed, and could recall ex-Wigan man Ian Kilford and young midfielder Wayne Graves to the side at the expense of Alex Calvo-Garcia and Sheffield United loan signing Lee Featherstone.
Featherstone is still recovering from a groin injury picked up in the original tie with Carlisle, and he left experienced winger Peter Beagrie and James Cotterill on the sidelines. They are joined by ex-Middlesbrough trainee Richard Kell, although all three should return to the side in January for the return fixture at the end of that month.
The Iron were defeated 2-0 at Roots Hall last season, with Leon Cort and Newman himself scoring the goals within the first twenty-five minutes. That left the visitors floundering in their bid for the play offs, but victory for either side this time round could bring new vigour to their campaign for promotion this season. A win for the Shrimpers would see them climb to 14th, just five points from 7th place Torquay, whilst three points for Scunthorpe would lift them into the top half of the table, just one win away from the play off zone.
LAST MATCHES
Cambridge United 1 (Fleming 63) Southend United 1 (Rawle 10). Line-up: Darryl Flahavan; Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Phil Whelan, Damon Searle; Danny Marney (Barrington Belgrave 75), Mark Beard, Kevin Maher, Mark Rawle, Jay Smith; Tes Bramble. Subs not used: Danny Gay, Steve Tilson, Neil Jenkins, Graeme Jones.
Scunthorpe United 0 Rushden & Diamonds 0. Line-up: Tom Evans; Nathan Stanton, Matt Jackson, Clifford Byrne, Andy Dawson; Scott Brough (Andy Parton 67), Matthew Sparrow, Alex Calvo-Garcia, Lee Featherstone; Martin Carruthers (Wayne Graves 80), Steve Torpey. Subs not used: Neil Collins, Jamie McCombe, Ian Kilford.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
23rd March 2002 - Southend United 2 (Cort 16, Newman 25) Scunthorpe United 0 - Division Three
23rd October 2001 - Scunthorpe United 2 (Carruthers 61, Beagrie 88) Southend United 0 - Division Three
24th February 2001 - Scunthorpe United 1 (Berry 80) Southend United 1 (Lee 18) - Division Three
23rd September 2000 - Southend United 1 (Carruthers 14) Scunthorpe United 0 - Division Three
5th April 1999 - Southend United 0 Scunthorpe United 1 (Sheldon 29) - Division Three
Southend United (from): Darryl Flahavan, Danny Gay, Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Phil Whelan, Damon Searle, Neil Jenkins, Mark Beard, Danny Marney, Kevin Maher, Jay Smith, Tony Scully, Steve Tilson, Mark Rawle, Barrington Belgrave, Tes Bramble, Graeme Jones, Mark Salter.
Scunthorpe United (from): Tom Evans, Nathan Stanton, Matt Jackson, Clifford Byrne, Andy Dawson, Scott Brough, Andy Parton, Matthew Sparrow, Alex Calvo-Garcia, Lee Featherstone, Martin Carruthers, Wayne Graves, Steve Torpey, Neil Collins, Jamie McCombe, Ian Kilford.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Steve Tomlin (Lewes)
Assistant Referees: Steve Ruberry (Ilford) and Mark Scholes (Buckingham)
Tomlin will be refereeing his eighteenth match of the season, having taken charge of Blues 4-1 Worthington Cup defeat at home to Wimbledon in September. He booked two players in that game, one of which was Phil Whelan, and that has contributed to his 52 yellow cards and five reds so far. On a happier note for Shrimpers supporters he officiated in Colchester's F.A. Cup defeat to Chester earlier this season. Last December he refereed United's 1-1 draw with Lincoln, booking four players and in 2000 he took charge of the Seasiders 1-0 victory over...Scunthorpe at Roots Hall. He also controlled Southend's 1-0 wins over Macclesfield and Mansfield the season before, with minimal damage to the Fair Play League. His career record reads 101 matches, 271 cautions and 13 players sent off.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
(all Football League):
Southend United 10
Scunthorpe United 15
Draws 11
At Roots Hall:
Southend United 8
Scunthorpe United 5
Draws 5
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com