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In the Orient game, United used two different formations, and it was clear to see the the 4-4-2 employed in the second half was far more effective than the first periods 3-5-2. In fact Southend actually won the second half, and Blues right back Mark Beard has emphasised the point; "I think we're better at 4-4-2 and I think we're playing that way against Wrexham so hopefully things will start to pick up again". And of course the loyal Shrimpers followers who witnessed Tuesday's East London debacle will hope things pick up aswell!
Mark Rawle, who limped out of the action early in the second half at Orient, has suffered a re-occurance of the groin problem that affected him last season and it seems that he won't be playing a part against the Robins, however it is expected that Tes Bramble, who failed a late fitness test on Tuesday, should be declared fit enough to take his place up front alongside Graeme Jones. If all fails then it will be Barrington Belgrave who will be promoted to a starting berth.
Phil Whelan misses the encounter through suspension having collected five bookings this season whilst Kevin Maher and Steven Clark are both available for the final time before both serving a one-match at Bristol Rovers next Saturday.
As for Wrexham, regular goalkeeper Andy Dibble is currently injured and thus young shot-stopper Paul Whitfield will make his fourth successive first team start whilst another man who misses out in defender Steve Roberts having left the action after just fifteen minuters of Tuesday 1-1 draw at York City with a hamstring strain. Indeed that encounter at Bootham Crescent saw Wrexham very unluckily drop two points, they dominated the match following Roberts' eight minute goal, but the Minstermen somehow managed to steal a point from the battle courtesy of Peter Duffield's leveller fifteen minutes from time. Dennis Lawrence has also been called into manager Denis Smith's squad who made the trip down to Essex from North Wales on Friday afternoon. Other notable faces in the visiting squad include 13-goal striker Andy Morrell and ex-Manchester United midfielder Darren Ferguson, the son of Reds' boss Sir Alex.
Wrexham have not been frequent opposition for United in recent years, and indeed the last set of encounters arrivred when Southend were in Division Two. United lost both games 3-1, and the home defeat proved to be the Shrimpers last at that level...for the time being at least!
LAST MATCHES:-
Leyton Orient 2 (Ireikpen 1, Whelan og 45) Southend United 1 (Belgrave 73), Line-up: Flahavan, Beard, Broad, Cort, Whelan (Searle 46), Jenkins, Maher, Smith, Selley (Steven Clark 46), Rawle (Belgrave 58), Jones. Unused - Thurgood, Gay.
York City 1 (Duffield 75) Wrexham 1 (Roberts 8), Line-up: Whitfield, Holmes, Roberts (Bennett 15), Pejic, Carey, Edwards, Barrett, Whitley, Ferguson, Morrell (Sam 83), Trundle. Unused - Edwards, Rogers, Thomas.
LAST FOUR MEETINGS:-
2nd May, 1998 - Southend United 1 (Boere 12) Wrexham 3 (Ward 43, 86, Connolly 72) - Division Two
21st Oct, 1997 - Wrexham 3 (McGregor 60, Kelly 65, Connolly 87 [pen]) Southend United 1 (Rammell 22) - Division Two
12th Jan, 1990 - Southend United 2 (Crown, Cook) Wrexham 1 (Buxton [pen]) - Division Four (old)
26th Aug, 1989 - Wrexham 3 (Jones, Buxton [pen], Thackeray) Southend United 3 (Prior, Crown, Bennett) - Division Four (old)
SOUTHEND (from):- Darryl Flahavan, Daniel Gay, Mark Beard, Damon Searle, Leon Cort, Stephen Broad, Tom Jordan, Kevin Maher, Jay Smith, Stuart Thurgood, Steven Clark, Neil Jenkins, Tony Scully, Graeme Jones, Mark Salter, Barrington Belgrave, Tesfaye Bramble.
WREXHAM (from):- Paul Whitfield, Kristian Rogers, Brian Carey, Shaun Pejic, Dan Bennett, Dennis Lawrence, Carlos Edwards, Darren Ferguson, Jim Whitley, Paul Barrett, Steve Thomas, Andy Morrell, Lee Trundle, Hector Sam, Lee Jones.
Referee - Richard Beeby (Northampton)
Richard last refereed United back in February for the re-arranged 1-1 draw at Cheltenham Town. He was also the referee who sent-ff Orient's David McGhee during last season's 2-1 home defeat. So far this season Richard has officiated 14 matches, brandishing 31 yellow cards and three red.
Assistant Referee's - John Hayto (Chelmsford) and Gary Young (Bedford)
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com
HEAD-TO-HEAD SOUTHEND UNITED v WREXHAM
Stats by www.soccer-stats.co.uk
RESULTS RECORD
Southend United - 11
Wrexham - 14
Draw - 13
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