Southend came so close to earning a point against the Terriers just under two days ago, but having failed to do so, find themselves, albeit at the head, embroiled in the scrap to avoid relegation. York City’s freefall appears to make the job a little easier, but if the Minstermen start winning, then Blues will need to gather as many points as possible.
Manager Steve Tilson was rueful after the reverse at the McAlpine Stadium, stating, “I think we deserved a draw and it was disappointing to have come away with nothing. Having given away a sloppy goal we created a number of chances in the second half”. Much as the defeat was disappointing, Tilson and team coach Paul Brush could still take a lot of heart from their players’ performances.
In his interview with the club’s official site, www.southendunited.co.uk, Tilson continued, “The lads showed a great deal of character to bounce back as they did. Everyone out there worked really hard and if we continue to put performances in like that then we should have no problems really. Apart from the result I can’t think of any other negatives”.
As a result, Tilson will be quietly confident that his team can collect three of the four points he has earmarked for absolute safety this afternoon. The form book certainly points towards United having the upper hand as Darlington have won just three games away from the Reynolds Arena, and only top-of-the-table Doncaster Rovers have raided Roots Hall since the start of 2004.
The worry for United is that all of the Quakers’ away victories have come in the period of the past six games. While Blues have won four of their last six home games, Darlington have three wins on their travels, although last timeout they went down to a 1-0 loss at Boston United. One win in the last five matches overall represents a slip in form from the six victories from eight clashes prior to that period.
But as the Seasiders search for points, they will have to make do with a makeshift midfield with Carl Pettefer joining the list of those that will miss out. Jay Smith and Leke Odunsi are long-term injury losses, whilst club captain Kevin Maher will sit out this match as the second game of a two-match suspension for his tenth booking of the campaign at Cardiff in the LDV Vans Trophy final.
Pettefer was savagely scythed down by Huddersfield Town defender David Mirfin on Saturday, and had to leave the pitch, after some five minutes of on-field treatment, on a stretcher. The Portsmouth star’s loan spell ended with the afternoon’s game, but it is believed that Southend have taken out an extension to the end of the season. Despite being seen wandering around after the game, it is unlikely that Pettefer will play any part so soon after the injury.
That leaves Tilson with three choices to fill his position on the left-hand side of midfield. The first is to start today’s game as he finished the weekend’s, with Tesfaye Bramble starting up front alongside Drewe Broughton and Leon Constantine on the right touchline, with Mark Gower on the left.
Perhaps the favoured option with supporters would see no need for Constantine to be pulled back from the striking position where he is more likely to add to his twenty-two goals this season, and involve Neil Jenkins replacing Pettefer in a straight swap. The final option would be for Arsenal loan-signing Nicky Nicolau to move forwards into a more advanced position in midfield and either Jamie Stuart, Che Wilson or Neil Jenkins coming in at left full-back.
The rest of the midfield picks itself with injuries and suspensions taking their toll. Gower will certainly start somewhere, despite looking lethargic at times at the McAlpine Stadium. Mark Bentley, the former Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder, carried the field in the middle and will be hoping to build on that performance, whilst Lewis Hunt is likely to partner him in the centre of the park.
Up front, Constantine will partner Broughton providing that he is not shifted into midfield, with Tesfaye Bramble on the substitutes’ bench. Lawrie Dudfield continues to watch from the sidelines due to his viral infection, whilst Michael Husbands’ abject display in the reserve team defeat to Colchester United five days ago means that he is unlikely to be recalled to the side.
Attacking midfielders Michael Kightly and Steven Clark will also both be missing again, with Kightly having to sit out the rest of the season with a cyst spotted on his hip. It is a huge blow to the 18-year-old, who made his first-team debut earlier in the season. Clark, meanwhile, is battling to prove that he is worth a contract for 2004/5, but as yet remains at fifty per cent fitness.
Further back in the field, and Tilson and Brush may be tempted to break up the defence which at times has not looked stable in the past couple of months. Leon Cort and Mark Warren are unlikely to be switched having both been immense in recent fixtures, whilst Duncan Jupp should let the abhoration in West Yorkshire go. In any case, right-back Stuart Williams, the second-year scholar who could take his place, is currently plying his trade at Heybridge Swifts while the Under-19s go without a fixture.
One of the aforementioned quartet will start at left-back, and we have a hunch that it could be Stuart after impressing last Wednesday, with Nicolau playing on the left flank. In goal it is more simple. Despite good recent performances by both Carl Emberson and Ryan Robinson in the second-string, Tilson will keep faith in Darryl Flahavan between the sticks.
The Roots Hall visitors know that there are dire consequences if they drop out of the Football League, just as Southend United should. And that makes this game all the harder. Last week, the Reynolds Arena side held crisis talks, and manager David Hodgson revealed to the club’s official website, www.darlington-fc.co.uk, “Neil Maddison and Craig Liddle both spoke up, then Craig Russell revealed to the lads that he has spent time on the dole”.
The experience of these veterans is vital to both clubs, and whilst Darlington have them in abundance, few of the Shrimpers squad can pick on such a history. Hodgson continued, “Even though he has played at a much higher level he has had some dark days and made it clear that some of the players will suffer that fate if they don’t pull the club clear of trouble.”
Hodgson, at the forefront of these talks, declared, “I think it hit home to them, and now they have to go out and show their desire where it matters – on the pitch. We have the ability to get out of this mess. Of all the teams we have played only four of five have been better than us, and one of them was Yeovil, who we beat.” And on Saturday the team responded by defeating Mansfield Town by a single goal to nil in the stadium that they have just sold to keep their heads above water to the end of the current campaign.
The Quakers’ future hangs in the balance on all levels, but as they look to do their best on the field, they are set to announce the same starting line-up that did so well against the promotion-chasing Stags. That would mean Southend coming up against two familiar faces in striker Barry Conlon and former trialist goalkeeper Michael Price.
Also likely to be named in an attacking-looking side is young Middlesbrough striker Danny Graham, who has impressed despite not finding the back of the net recently, and big Matt Clarke, who netted the winner on Saturday, and can be pushed up field to act as a third forward if required. All of which makes for an exciting proposition as both sides attempt to gain three vital points.
TEAM DETAILS
Likely Squads
Southend United | Darlington | |
4-4-2 Darryl Flahavan Duncan Jupp Jamie Stuart Leon Cort Mark Warren Mark Gower Lewis Hunt Mark Bentley Nicky Nicolau Drewe Broughton Leon Constantine --- Carl Emberson Tesfaye Bramble Che Wilson Michael Husbands Neil Jenkins --- Ryan Robinson | Starting Line-Ups GK DR DL DC DC MR MC MC ML FC FC Substitutes 1 2 3 4 5 Also Available * | 4-4-2 Michael Price Ryan Valentine Jonathan Hutchinson Brian Close Matthew Clarke Neil Wainwright Clark Keltie Neil Maddison Mark Convery Barry Conlon Danny Graham --- Jack Norton Ian Clark David McGurk Craig Russell Neil Teggart |
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com