Blues boss Steve Tilson is demanding a strong end to the season from his team, despite ruling them out of a place in the play-offs.
He could opt to freshen up his side against the Cobblers with the forwards under threat after the missed chances against the Dons.
As ever with a holiday game we were watched by a big crowd, in fact our biggest home league crowd of the season, 10, 241, and lost!
This time 2-0, which left the Blues five points behind the play-offs.
Though the Dons defeat has made the play-offs very unlikely, Scunthorpe or Tranmere would have to both lose at least two matches each while we win all our remaining four, Tilly wants his side to finish on a strong note starting with three points away to Northampton this afternoon.
Speaking to the official site Tilly said: "We had the opportunities to score (on Friday) but didn't take them and that's what cost us the game. They took their chances and we didn't take ours which proved to be the difference between the teams. I feel 2-0 flattered MK Dons in the end but the defeat wasn't down to a lack of effort on our part because the lads gave me everything and worked themselves into the ground. Even though we've fallen just short I really think the lads have done superbly well. To get this close after being in the position we were is excellent and I'm very proud of them but we want to do well in the four games we have left now too. Northampton certainly still have everything to play for down towards the bottom and it will be another real test for us."
With no mention of Freedman, (is he injured again?), Tilly may turn to Betsy instead of Scannell who tired towards the end of the Dons game, while Laurent may replace Barnard, but I would stick with the good Lord, it's that time of year.
Possible Southend X1: Mildenhall, Francis, Clarke, Dervite, Barrett, Betsy, Grant, McCormack, Moussa, Barnard, Robinson. Subs: Joyce, Sankofa, Christophe, Laurent, Scannell.