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However, things have changed since then, and the departure of Stewart Robson and the return of Darryl Flahavan on a non-contract basis have made spirits amongst Southend supporters rather more bouyant that usual. Slowly climbing up the table to 21st, two places above the dreaded 'drop zone' has reduced the pressure on Steve Wignall to succeed, and he will be hoping that a more relaxed atmosphere around the club with provide a positive result tomorrow.
Flahavan is expected to start his third match in a row after returning to the southeast Essex coastline with Andy Petterson having left the club and Carl Emberson still out with the thigh strain he picked up in a challenge with Oxford's huge centre-forward Julian Alsop four weeks ago. Ryan Robinson will once again be seated on the substitutes bench.
In defence, the same back four is likely to be in opertaion after a mistake-free performance in the northeast. Mark Warren managed to retain his place over the previously-suspended Dave McSweeney for the match against the Quakers, and there is no reason why he should not continue alongside Leon Cort, who was back to his imperious best. Duncan Jupp will continue at right-back with Jamie Stuart on the left.
Manager Wignall appears likely to revert to 4-4-2 after shoring up the defence with a 4-5-1 formation for the doubnle-header of away fixtures last week. As a result Leke Odunsi would be favourite to lose his place in the centre of the park, with Jamie Fullarton starting his career with two solid performances and captain Kevin Maher ever-present this season. James Corbett could still miss out, whilst Mark Gower and Neil Jenkins will fill the wide positions.
Up front, top-scorer Leon Constantine, who failed to score for the first time since the 2-0 reverse to Lincoln City on Tuesday, has netted on three successive Saturdays, and will be hoping to continue in that form against the Terriers. As he does so he shoud be joined by Tesfaye Bramble as Drewe Broughton continues to struggle with a slight knock and had to be replaced three days ago. Michael Husbands is also back from injury, but may have to settle for a place on the bench as he lacks match practice.
The visitors go into the game with three wins under their belt, but have only won once away from the McAlpine Stadium in the current campaign. With Paul Scott suspended, Nigerian Efetobe Sodje will come into the side in the dangerous 3-5-2 formation that defeated Sunderland 4-2 at the Stadium of Light in the second round of the Carling Cup. Ex-Shrimper Martyn Booty has not been in the side of late, and youngster Jonathan Stead is the man to watch up front.
TLG predicted Southend United starting line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren, Jamie Stuart; Mark Gower, Kevin Maher, Jamie Fullarton, Neil Jenkins; Tesfaye Bramble, Leon Constantine.
Southend United squad (probable): Darryl Flahavan, Ryan Robinson, Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren, Dave McSweeney, Jamie Stuart, Neil Jenkins, Mark Gower, Kevin Maher, Leke Odunsi, Jamie Fullarton, Jay Smith, Tesfaye Bramble, Leon Constantine, Michael Husbands, Drewe Broughton.
Huddersfield Town squad (probable): Ian Gray, Efetobe Sodje, Steve Yates, Tony Carss, David Mirfin, Danny Schofield, Jonathan Worthington, Andy Holdsworth, Lee Fowler, Jonathan Stead, Andy Booth, Jon Newby, Phillip Senior, Dwayne Mattis, Anthony Lloyd, Martyn Booty
Last Five Matches
Southend United
D0-0 (away; Darlington; League Division Three)
D1-1 (away; Scunthorpe United; League Division Three; Leon Constantine)
D2-2 (home; Carlisle United; League Division Three; David McSweeney, Leon Constantine)
L0-2 (home; Lincoln City; League Division Three)
L2-3 (away; Hull City; League Division Three; Leon Constantine, Tesfaye Bramble)
Huddersfield Town
W3-0 (home; Leyton Orient; League Division Three; Steve Yates, Paul Scott, Andy Booth)
W4-2 (away; Sunderland; Carling Cup second round; Tony Carss, Jonathon Stead, Andy Holdsworth, Andy Booth)
L0-2 (away; Swansea City; League Division Three)
D1-1 (away; Rochdale; League Division Three; Jon Worthington)
Southend United home form
D2-2 (League Division Three; Carlisle United; David McSweeney, Leon Constantine)
L0-2 (League Division Three; Lincoln City)
W1-0 (League Division Three; Bury; Leon Constantine)
L0-3 (League Division Three; Mansfield Town)
L2-3 (Carling Cup first round; Swindon Town; Kevin Maher, Drewe Broughton)
Huddersfield Town away form
L0-2 (League Division Three; Swansea City)
D1-1 (League Division Three; Rochdale; Jon Worthington)
L1-2 (League Division Three; Bury; Paul Scott)
D1-1 (League Division Three; Doncaster Rovers; Andy Booth)
2003/4 SEASON
Southend United (overall [home])
Nationwide League Division Three
Played: 11 [5]
Won: 2 [2]
Drawn: 3 [1]
Lost: 6 [4]
Scored: 8 [5]
Conceded: 17 [7]
Goal Difference: -9 [-2]
Points: 9 [7]
Position: 21st [18th]
F.A. Cup
Participation yet to get underway
Carling Cup
First Round: lost to Swindon Town (home) 2-3
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round: vs. Bristol Rovers (home) on Tuesday 14th October 2003
Huddersfield Town (overall [away])
Nationwide League Division Three
Played: 11 [5]
Won: 4 [0]
Drawn: 4 [3]
Lost: 3 [2]
Scored: 16 [5]
Conceded: 12 [8]
Goal Difference: 4 [-3]
Points: 16 [3]
Position: 11th [18th]
F.A. Cup
Participation yet to get underway
Carling Cup
Third Round: vs. Reading (away) on 28th October 2003
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round: Bye
THE HISTORY
Last Match
Saturday 26th April 1997 – Nationwide League Division One @ Roots Hall
Southend United 1 (Jeroen Boere 82) Huddersfield Town 2 (Andy Payton 23, David Beresford 67) [attendance: 4,762].
Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Simon Royce, Andy Harris, Steve Tilson (Mike Lapper), Keith Dublin, Leo Roget, Robert Codner (Julian Hails), Mike Marsh, Phil Gridelet, Paul Williams (Andy Rammell), Jeroen Boere, Adrian Clarke.
Huddersfield Town line-up (4-4-2): Steve Francis, Darren Edmondson, Tom Cowan, Marcus Browning, Andrew Morrison, Lee Sinnott, David Beresford, Wayne Burnett (Paul Dalton (Steven Baldry)), Lee Glover, Andy Payton, Jon Illingworth (Paul Kaye).
Last Five Meetings
26th April 1997 – Southend United 1 (Jeroen Boere 82) Huddersfield Town 2 (Andy Payton 23, David Beresford 67) –League Division One
19th October 1996 – Huddersfield Town 0 Southend United 0 –League Division One
6th April 1996– Huddersfield Town 3 (Ronnie Jepson, Rob Edwards, Andy Booth) Southend United 1 (Roger Willis) – League Division One
28th October 1995 – Southend United 0 Huddersfield Town 0 – League Division One
22nd January 1993 – Huddersfield Town 1 (Graham Mitchell) Southend United 2 (Stan Collymore 2)
Rob Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com