Tilson: 'We will go to Bristol looking for three points'
While appreciating the 3-0 win over Walsall in midweek, his sides first of 2010, Blues boss Steve Tilson knows they have to raise their game another notch, especially away from Roots Hall, to defeat the gasmen of Bristol.
Tilly spoke to www.southendunited.co.uk: "It was another good performance on Tuesday night, but scoring the goals to get the result was the icing on the cake. I thought it was a comfortable 3-0 win in the end and we could have won by four or five goals."
He spoke of how getting two-goal Franck Moussa further forward had been worked on in training, however nothing could prepare the Southend manager for the injury that will see exciting winger Damian Scannell out for the rest of a season that still promises a tough fight against relegation.
Tilly continued: "There is a long way to go this season with nine games left and we are targeting four wins and a draw to stay up. We are three games unbeaten and we have to look to take that forward into the Bristol Rovers match. They have a strike force that is full of goals, but we will go there looking for three points."
Trollope: 'Baldwin had a good loan spell with us and made an impact'
Pirates boss Paul Trollope is confident if they keep up their current form, which includes 4-0 and 3-0 wins at Swindon and Yeovil respectively, they can continue their challange for a play-off place against the Shrimpers.
Trollope talked to www.thisisbristol.co.uk: "Our current form has been pretty good, with 16 points from the last eight games. If we can produce something maybe a little bit better it could still make for an interesting end to the season. We've kept seven clean sheets in the last 14 games and have played top teams in the division during that time, so that's pleasing."
Even so, he knows that Southend will be fighting for every point in the position they find themselves in.
Trollop continued: "It's the business end of the season and things can quickly turn, both for better and for the worse. We need to add to a decent home record against another team who are trying to steer themselves away from relegation and aren't going to come here to roll over. They are going to be very spirited and motivated and we need to be ready for that"
And finally, it's welcome back, not only to former player Adam Barrett, but his defensive partner Pat Baldwin, who was on loan at the Memorial Stadium earlier this season.
Trollope concluded: "Pat had a good loan spell with us and made an impact. He's gone now, but his legacy remains in terms of communication among the back four. He was good at organising those around him, that rubbed off on others and they have continued it since he went."