SHRIMPERS
So will Blues boss Paul Sturrock pick his new loan signing Waide Fairhurst from Doncaster in the very tough League Two league game at Chesterfield.
With strikers Barry Corr (gluteus injury - I'm told it's the hip!) and Blair Sturrock (back problem) both still doubtful Luggy has an embarrassment of riches, though if both his first choice forwards remain in the stand I think the Sheffield-born 21-year-old will get the nod.
Matt Paterson, two-goal hero at Barnet in the JPT, Cardiff loanee Nathaniel Jarvis and young Harry Crawford could all join Fairhurst in the starting eleven and I hope it's Matty.
Bilel Mohsni begins a three-match ban following his red card at Underhill, so the French Tunisian's replacement in that match, Graham Coughlan, should get a whole game this time around but fit again Mark Phillips might get the nod but it's doubtful it will be Luke Prosser who also returns from injury, both playing in a behind closed door friendly at Dagenham & Redbridge in midweek.
With the continued rumours of Johnny Herd training with Crewe it's doubtful we will see him on the subs bench, as with Scott Spencer, waiting for a club to give him a chance on loan; a waste.
Whatever good form the Shrimpers are in at the moment, the 3 wins and a draw from the last four games were all against teams in the bottom half of the table, this trip is a real test of where Southend are at the moment.
In all honesty, especially with the changes in defence, bringing back a point a very good result indeed.
Possible Southend United: Morris, Gilbert, Barker, Coughlan, Clohessy, Simpson, Grant, Timlin, Hall, Fairhurst, Paterson.Subs: Evans, Phillips, Prosser, Bouzid, Soares, Crawford, Jarvis.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!
OPPOSITION
Chesterfield are the leading goalscorers in League Two this season.
Former Blue loanee striker Dean Morgan is a doubt with a groin injury.
Midfielder Dwayne Mattis dropped back to centre-back again in the JPT at Sheffield Wednesday but it remains to be seen whether he will stay in that position.
as Robert Page is available.
Fellow midfielder Mark Allott could return after a hamstring problem, while yet another midfielder Craig Clay will hope to make his first start for the club.
1 | Port Vale | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 6 | 22 | +10 | ||||
2 | Chesterfield | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 12 | 19 | +9 | ||||
3 | Rotherham United | 10 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 11 | 19 | +7 | ||||
4 | Shrewsbury Town | 10 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 9 | 18 | +7 |
Last time at Home - Chesterfield 5 Crew Alexandra 5 (played Saturday, October 2nd, 2010.)
Teenage substitute Craig Clay was the hero as Chesterfield staged the mother of all comebacks in a ten-goal thriller at the B2net Stadium.
Clay netted with a great right foot shot from outside the area 90 seconds into time added on to earn the draw in what will be remembered as one of the Spireites' all-time great matches.
His goal sparked off long and noisy celebrations in the Whittington Moor stands that would be worthy of the club winning a cup final.
The Blues deserve praise for never giving up and - believe it or not - it was a roller-coaster game they could have won after being denied by the woodwork on two occasions.
Before kick off, John Sheridan's men boasted a proud 100 per cent League Two record at their new home but all looked lost when Crewe stormed into a 3-0 lead after 13 minutes.
Chesterfield were surprised when Luke Murphy gave the visitors a third-minute lead with a header and shocked further in the sixth minute after Lee Bell netted direct from a free kick.
The Blues had looked so secure in previous games at home but the home fans were stunned into silence when the pacy Byron Moore pounced on a Scott Griffiths error and slipped it past keeper Tommy Lee to make it 3-0 with just 13 minutes gone.
Life was breathed briefly into Chesterfield's cause ten minutes later when Jack Lester headed home a whipped-in Dean Morgan cross at the near post.
But disaster struck in the 26th minute when Shaun Miller was allowed to wriggle between Griffiths and skipper Ian Breckin before tucking home.
Astonishingly, Chesterfield trailed 4-1 with almost three-quarters of the game remaining.
On the half-hour Sheridan made an important switch by bringing off Breckin for Clay. Dwayne Mattis dropped back to central defence while Clay operated in midfield. Breckin disappeared straight up the players' tunnel.
At the start of the second half, the home side really took the game to Crewe but it looked as if the damage had been done.
There were hearty appeals for a couple of penalties and Morgan could only watch as his shot hit the bar before a deep Craig Davies cross from the right was met at the far post by the stooping Lester who headed in to make it 4-2.
And all belief returned when Danny Whitaker confidently struck home from the penalty spot in the 77th minute after Morgan had been felled by Matt Tootle.
Unfortunately, it went pear-shaped just as quickly as Clayton Donaldson netted from close range with only ten minutes left on the clock.
Chesterfield piled on the pressure and Whitaker's shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced down on the goal-line before Crewe were broken again, the rampant Clay being brought down in the area.
Whitaker kept his cool and again did the business from 12 yards as Crewe packed their defence but there was to be no denying Chesterfield.
Nails were bitten to the quick in the breathless atmosphere and in a last-ditch attack Clay earned his stripes with a peach of a goal.
The draw, from what seemed such a hopeless position, was cheered like a victory and never was a standing ovation more richly deserved.
Chesterfield: Lee, Ford, Griffiths, Breckin (Clay 30), Hunt , Niven, Whitaker, Mattis, Davies, Lester, Morgan. Subs not used: Redmond, Morris, Gray, Darwikwa, Boden.
Crewe: Taylor, Tootle, Blanchett, Artell, Ada, Westwood, Murphy, Bell, Miller, Moore (Grant 87), Leitch-Smith (Donaldson 75). Subs not used: Fogler, Mitchell-King, Shelley, Dugdale, Zola
Referee: John Moss (West Yorkshire).
Attendance: 6,047 (419 from Crewe).
(Report reprinted from www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk)
PREVIOUSLYAt Chesterfield (24) At Southend Utd. (25) Results Total % Results Total % Chesterfield 11 45.83 Southend Utd. 10 40.00 Southend Utd. 6 25.00 Chesterfield 8 32.00 Draws 7 29.17 Draws 7 28.00 Goals Total Av.pg Goals Total Av.pg Chesterfield 37 1.54 Southend Utd. 40 1.60 Southend Utd. 29 1.21 Chesterfield 33 1.32 On Neutral Ground (0) Overall (49 matches) Results Total % Results Total % Chesterfield 0 0.00 Chesterfield 19 38.78 Southend Utd. 0 0.00 Southend Utd. 16 32.65 Draws 0 0.00 Draws 14 28.57 Goals Total Av.pg Goals Total Av.pg Chesterfield 0 0.00 Chesterfield 70 1.43 Southend Utd. 0 0.00 Southend Utd. 69 1.41 Records Highest Aggregate 7 Chesterfield 3 - 4 Southend Utd. 2005/2006 Highest Chesterfield score: 5 Southend Utd. 2 - 5 Chesterfield 1958/1959 Highest Southend Utd. score: 5 Southend Utd. 5 - 1 Chesterfield 1972/1973 Season Date Home Score Away Competition 2005/2006 Sat 18 Feb Chesterfield 3 - 4 Southend Utd. League One Tue 06 Dec Southend Utd. 0 - 0 Chesterfield League One 2001/2002 Tue 18 Dec Southend Utd. 2 - 0 Chesterfield F.A. Cup Sat 08 Dec Chesterfield 1 - 1 Southend Utd. F.A. Cup 2000/2001 Sat 31 Mar Chesterfield 1 - 1 Southend Utd. League Division Three Sat 16 Dec Southend Utd. 3 - 2 Chesterfield League Division Three 1997/1998 Fri 03 Apr Southend Utd. 0 - 2 Chesterfield League Division Two Sat 29 Nov Chesterfield 1 - 0 Southend Utd. League Division Two 1989/1990 Sat 07 Apr Southend Utd. 0 - 2 Chesterfield Fourth Division Sat 28 Oct Chesterfield 1 - 1 Southend Utd. Fourth Division 1988/1989 Sat 04 Mar Chesterfield 2 - 1 Southend Utd. Third Division Sat 22 Oct Southend Utd. 3 - 1 Chesterfield Third Division 1987/1988 Fri 25 Mar Southend Utd. 3 - 0 Chesterfield Third Division Sat 24 Oct Chesterfield 3 - 1 Southend Utd. Third Division 1984/1985 Tue 23 Apr Southend Utd. 0 - 1 Chesterfield Fourth Division Sat 08 Sep Chesterfield 2 - 1 Southend Utd. Fourth Division 1982/1983 Tue 15 Mar Chesterfield 0 - 2 Southend Utd. Third Division Mon 06 Sep Southend Utd. 2 - 0 Chesterfield Third Division 1981/1982 Fri 05 Mar Southend Utd. 0 - 2 Chesterfield Third Division Sat 17 Oct Chesterfield 1 - 2 Southend Utd. Third Division 1979/1980 Sat 08 Mar Chesterfield 1 - 0 Southend Utd. Third Division Fri 26 Oct Southend Utd. 0 - 0 Chesterfield Third Division 1978/1979 Fri 02 Feb Southend Utd. 2 - 0 Chesterfield Third Division Wed 27 Sep Chesterfield 3 - 2 Southend Utd. Third Division 1975/1976 Mon 19 Apr Southend Utd. 1 - 1 Chesterfield Third Division Sat 27 Dec Chesterfield 1 - 2 Southend Utd. Third Division 1974/1975 Wed 19 Mar Chesterfield 1 - 1 Southend Utd. Third Division Sat 17 Aug Southend Utd. 2 - 1 Chesterfield Third Division 1973/1974 Fri 05 Apr Southend Utd. 1 - 3 Chesterfield Third Division Wed 14 Nov Chesterfield 0 - 0 Southend Utd. Third Division 1972/1973 Sat 21 Apr Southend Utd. 5 - 1 Chesterfield Third Division Wed 07 Mar Chesterfield 2 - 4 Southend Utd. Third Division 1969/1970 Tue 31 Mar Chesterfield 3 - 0 Southend Utd. Fourth Division Sat 01 Nov Southend Utd. 0 - 0 Chesterfield Fourth Division 1968/1969 Fri 25 Apr Chesterfield 0 - 0 Southend Utd. Fourth Division Mon 03 Mar Southend Utd. 2 - 2 Chesterfield Fourth Division 1967/1968 Sat 13 Apr Southend Utd. 1 - 1 Chesterfield Fourth Division Sat 07 Oct Chesterfield 3 - 1 Southend Utd. Fourth Division 1966/1967 Sat 15 Apr Southend Utd. 4 - 1 Chesterfield Fourth Division Sat 19 Nov Chesterfield 2 - 1 Southend Utd. Fourth Division 1960/1961 Sat 31 Dec Southend Utd. 1 - 1 Chesterfield Third Division Sat 27 Aug Chesterfield 0 - 3 Southend Utd. Third Division 1959/1960 Sat 09 Apr Chesterfield 1 - 0 Southend Utd. Third Division Sat 21 Nov Southend Utd. 1 - 2 Chesterfield Third Division 1958/1959 Sat 17 Jan Southend Utd. 2 - 5 Chesterfield Third Division Sat 06 Sep Chesterfield 4 - 0 Southend Utd. Third Division 1953/1954 Sat 12 Dec Southend Utd. 1 - 2 Chesterfield F.A. Cup 1938/1939 Mon 16 Jan Southend Utd. 4 - 3 Chesterfield F.A. Cup Wed 11 Jan Chesterfield 1 - 1 Southend Utd. F.A. Cup
GROUND
Built at a cost of £13 million, Chesterfield's new 10,400 capacity all seater stadium is located around one and a half miles north of the town centre.
On one side is the main HTM Products Stand. This stand has a capacity of 2,902 seats on a single tier, with a glass fronted executive lounge at the rear.
The players emerge from the tunnel at the centre of the stand, whilst the centre seating of the stand is taken up by the Directors Box, Sponsors and Legends seating areas, with the press seating situated towards the north end wing section.
The stand has a graceful curved roof with white steelwork and a glazed windshield at the north end, with a ground floor and top level viewing area for disabled supporters and their helpers in the south wing section.
At one side of the stand, towards the Karen Child Kop is an unusual looking stadium control tower which extends beyond the touchline.
Opposite is the Midlands Co-operative Community Stand which is similar in appearance, having a curved roof line and a capacity of 3,144 seats with glazed windshields on either side, but with no executive facilities at the rear.
The television camera gantry is situated in this stand below the roof steelwork. Both ends are similar affairs, both being single tiered, covered and housing just over 2,000 supporters. Unlike the other stands the roofs on these ends are not curved, but again glass windshields are in place on both sides.
The only real difference is that the Karen Child Stand has two ground floor level disabled viewing areas as opposed to one in the Printability Stand. The ground is complimented at present by four modern slim corner floodlight pylons which each have 14 lights on four rows.
The stadium has a pleasing balanced feel with no single stand dominating the whole ground. Externally there are some nice touches too, with the 'wall of fame' from the clubs 'buy a brick scheme', in the south west and north west corners and wide pathways that lead through the car park to the turnstile blocks from Sheffield Road.
Away supporters are mostly housed in the Printability Stand at the north end of the stadium, where up to 2,112 supporters can be seated. If demand requires it then additional seating can also be made available in the Midlands Co-operative Community Stand.
The leg room is very good and the view of the pitch excellent. The concourses are built to a high standard,with large flat screen tv, bars and toilets along their length. As with all modern stadiums the high roof line will not provide you with any kind of cover if you sit on the bottom rows of seats during a spell of exceptionally sunny or wet weather.
Please note that cash is not accepted at the turnstiles, entrance is by ticket only which can be purchased from the ticket office at the HTM Stand.
(Ground information supplied by www.footballgroundguide.com)
WEATHER
Grey cloud but at 18c's another warm October day in prospect.
REF
FIXTURES
League Two
Saturday, October 9th; (all kick-offs 15.00): Barnet v Bradford, Burton Albion v Wycombe, Bury v Accrington Stanley, Cheltenham v Northampton, Chesterfield v Southend, Crewe v Torquay, Gillingham v Stockport, Hereford v Port Vale, Lincoln City v Macclesfield, Morecambe v Shrewsbury, Oxford Utd v Aldershot, Rotherham v Stevenage.
BET
Chesterfield (to win) - 10/11, Draw - 13/5, Southend (to win) - 7/2.
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-two/
By Coach go here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw3/chesterfield_559100/index.shtml
PUB AND PIES
For the best drinking around the ground and in the town go here:
aim_for_the_derby_tup_pub_crawl_in_chesterfield_567492/index.shtml
HISTORY
Despite being the 4th oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower divisions of the English league and have never played in the top flight.
They first joined the Football League in the 1899-1900 season, but failed re-election in 1908/09. They were later founder members of Football League Third Division North in 1921-22 and have remained in the Football League since.
Chesterfield's most notable successes came in the 1990s, when they won the Division Three playoff final at Wembley in 1995 and reached the FA Cup semi-finals two years later.
They were the first club from outside the top two divisions to reach this stage of the competition since 1984 (Plymouth Argyle).
Chesterfield play their home games at the 10,338 capacity B2net Stadium, having moved from their old home Saltergate, for the 2010-11 season.
John Sheridan is the current manager having been given a three year contract in June 2009, his assistant is Tommy Wright.