The trip to Swansea is the start of a tough three matches on the road in nine days for Southend United as following on from Swansea comes the rearranged match with Cheltenham Town on Tuesday 19th February KO 7.45 and then the following Saturday sees Blues make the long trip to the North East to tackle Hartlepool United KO 3pm.
Blues will be making their 21st visit to the Vetch on Friday where they have returned with maximum points just once. That was in the 1990/1991 season. With Blues on their way to the old Division Two and Swansea in mid-table goals from Adam Locke (2), Ian Benjamin and Andy Ansah saw Blues to a 4-1 victory. Although Blues have avoided defeat at the Vetch on six occassions, Blues last two visits have resulted in 3-1 defeats on what is certainly an unlucky venue for Southend United. In the 1998/1999 season Blues had three players sent off by referee Andy Hall in a match that current Blues boss Rob Newman scored Blues solitary goal. The last meeting between the two sides at the Vetch looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw when just two minutes from full-time Mel Capleton was harshly adjudged to have brought down Jason Price for a penalty. Blues had completely dominated their hosts in the second-half and a third Swans goal in injury time completed Blues miserable afternoon.
Swansea City, like a lot of clubs, have been struggling off the pitch this season. The Swans were taken over by Australian businessman Tony Petty last October and immediately cancelled seven players contracts as well as releasing three backroom staff. Although good news could be just over the horizon for Swansea as Millionaire Cardiff City fanatics Martin Barnes and Michael Isaac are set to pour their cash into bitter-rivals Swansea City and aim to take Bluebirds star Andy Legg to the Vetch as player-coach. The 45-year-old Porthcawl-based businessman Barnes is thought to be the fifth major shareholder behind Sam Hammam at Ninian Park, having pumped a life-saving £300,000 into City two seasons back. He has extensive investments throughout the principality running the highly successful Auto Barnes Garage, which specialises in importing top-of-the-range BMWs and Mercedes. The Welshman - a lifelong supporter of the Bluebirds - also has big cash tied up in home improvement giants South Wales Windows and dangles tentacles in the entertainment industry. And Vale of Glamorgan property developer Isaac, a Cardiff director, is believed to be backing Barnes' move.
Blues will be making their 21st visit to the Vetch on Friday where they have returned with maximum points just once. That was in the 1990/1991 season. With Blues on their way to the old Division Two and Swansea in mid-table goals from Adam Locke (2), Ian Benjamin and Andy Ansah saw Blues to a 4-1 victory. Although Blues have avoided defeat at the Vetch on six occassions, Blues last two visits have resulted in 3-1 defeats on what is certainly an unlucky venue for Southend United. In the 1998/1999 season Blues had three players sent off by referee Andy Hall in a match that current Blues boss Rob Newman scored Blues solitary goal. The last meeting between the two sides at the Vetch looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw when just two minutes from full-time Mel Capleton was harshly adjudged to have brought down Jason Price for a penalty. Blues had completely dominated their hosts in the second-half and a third Swans goal in injury time completed Blues miserable afternoon.
Swansea City, like a lot of clubs, have been struggling off the pitch this season. The Swans were taken over by Australian businessman Tony Petty last October and immediately cancelled seven players contracts as well as releasing three backroom staff. Although good news could be just over the horizon for Swansea as Millionaire Cardiff City fanatics Martin Barnes and Michael Isaac are set to pour their cash into bitter-rivals Swansea City and aim to take Bluebirds star Andy Legg to the Vetch as player-coach. The 45-year-old Porthcawl-based businessman Barnes is thought to be the fifth major shareholder behind Sam Hammam at Ninian Park, having pumped a life-saving £300,000 into City two seasons back. He has extensive investments throughout the principality running the highly successful Auto Barnes Garage, which specialises in importing top-of-the-range BMWs and Mercedes. The Welshman - a lifelong supporter of the Bluebirds - also has big cash tied up in home improvement giants South Wales Windows and dangles tentacles in the entertainment industry. And Vale of Glamorgan property developer Isaac, a Cardiff director, is believed to be backing Barnes' move.