In fact Southend’s form running up to this game has even surprised manager Steve Tilson who did not expect his team to perform as well. "We've started a lot better than we did last season and in truth a lot better than I thought we would which is pleasing," commented Tilly to the clubs official site. Tilson also looked forward to the coming up game against Swindon as he sees a need to get points on the road. "Our last two home games have seen us take two wins so it's important to get a run going now and look to get some more points on the board," continued the former Canvey Island player.
Tilson has every right to be confident, as a lot seems to be in the Shrimpers’ favour going into the game. The squad is fully fit as the single injury worry for the game against Oldham, Wayne Gray returns to action. However his strike partner of last season, Freddy Eastwood will of course be out of action. Eastwood still has one game of suspension to serve after the FA hit him with a four game ban.
The rest of the Blues team will probably start in the same way it did against Oldham. Flahavan, Hunt, Barrett, Edwards and Wilson will all make up the back five whilst the midfield seems to be set in stone. After the early season competition between the plethora of midfielders there seems to be four players willing to play together. Gower, Guttridge, Maher and Cole will probably start the game looking at the central four from right to left.
However it is the forward line that will give Tilly and Brush the biggest headache. Whilst Goater and Gray would appear to be the obvious choice, it would be very harsh on last week’s hero James Lawson. The nineteen year old of course scored against the Latics as he opened the scoring in the impressive win.
To make matters better a lot of Southend players will have good memories of beating their opponents, Swindon, in last years LDV Vans Trophy. In fact the Robins and the Shrimpers have met four times within this Millennium which is quite remarkable considering the fact the two sides have not been in the same League. The first meeting went to the Shrimpers as they progressed to an LDV Area Final by beating Swindon 2-1 using the golden goal rule. The next two occasions Swindon sought their revenge winning 6-1 (LDV 1st round (2002/03)) and 3-2 (Carling Cup 1st round (2003/04)).
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Nicolau’s new club can also boast largely positive team news with no fresh injury doubts ahead of the game. Tony Thorpe has found his shooting boots after a hat-trick for the reserves in midweek and he could be set for a recall, whilst Steve Jenkins also made a start for the reserves and is fit once again. Rhys Evans, Sean O'Hanlon and Alan Reeves are sidelined with injury.
In other match news the referee will be familiar to the Shrimpers away following. Mick Fletcher controversially refereed last seasons game away to Yeovil Town and sent Kevin Maher off in the process.
Predicted Teams
Southend (4-4-2)
GK Darryl Flahavan
RB Lewis Hunt
CB Adam Barrett
CB Andy Edwards
LB Che Wilson
RM Mark Gower
CM Kevin Maher ©
CM Luke Guttridge
LM Mitchell Cole
CF Wayne Gray
CF Shaun Goater
SB1 Bart Griemink
SB2 Duncan Jupp
SB3 Spencer Prior
SB4 Mark Bentley
SB5 James Lawson
Swindon Town (4-4-2)
GK Tom Heaton
RB Andy Gurney
CB Patrick Collins
CB Jerel Iffill
LB Jack Smith
RM Ricky Shakes
CM Michael Pook
CM Stefani Miglioranzi
LM Gareth Whalley
CF Tony Thorpe
CF Rory Fallon
SB1 Matt Bullman
SB2 Nicky Nicolau
SB3 Jamie Cureton
SB4 Steve Jenkins
SB5 Colin Heath