v 
SHRIMPERS
So it looks as if Bilel Mohsni will stay as a striker, while Rhys Evans should remain in goal as usual No.1 Glenn Morris missed the 4-1 Macclesfield massacre with flu and has not taken part in any training.
I've got Mark Phillips back as centre-back to give veteran Graham Coughlan a rest, but I've been dropping the former Shrewsbury skipper for the last few games for that very reason and he keeps putting in terrific performances, so take no notice at all!
Easy three points then?
Well, it never works like that, they have a caretaker boss in Paul Fairclough who has done that and seen it all before with the Bees and it never just works like that with the Shrimpers anyway, and six points from four games, including a 3-1 win over Spud Taylor's Bradford City, show they are no pushover!
The Silkmen were in a bad place Tuesday and we took full advantage of it, show the same professionalism again, and some consistancy seems to be creeping into Southend's play, and victory should be ours in front of what should be a huge away backing.
With two home games again in four days to follow, the play-offs may not be such a dream come Saturday week.
Possible Southend United: Evans, Clohessy, Barker, Phillips, Gilbert, Ferdinand, Grant, Easton, Hall, Sturrock, Mohsni.
Subs: Bentley, Herd, Coughlan, Comminges, Soares, Corr, Crawford.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!
OPPOSITION
Barnet boss Paul Fairclough hopes to name an unchanged line-up after Tuesday night's promising goalless draw at Port Vale, however a point still meant they stayed in the relegation zone but with Stockport replacing long term partners Hereford or Tilly's Lincoln.
Striker Steve Kabba is not expected to be fit to play so former Shrimpers trailist Izale McLeod should play the lone frontman role again.
Centre-back Daniel Leach will stay absent with a foot injury that has kept him from playing now for four months.
Fellow defender Darren Dennehy (foot) and striker Ricky Holmes (metatarsal) will also miss the game.
| 19 | Macclesfield Town | 24 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 28 | 39 | 27 | -11 | ||||
| 20 | Burton Albion | 21 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 18 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 27 | 25 | 25 | +2 | ||||
| 21 | Hereford United | 24 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 24 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 29 | 42 | 25 | -13 | ||||
| 22 | Lincoln City | 23 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 19 | 7 | 4 | 12 | 23 | 36 | 25 | -13 | ||||
| 23 | Barnet | 27 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 18 | 20 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 29 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 33 | 49 | 25 | -16 | ||||
| 24 | Stockport County | 27 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 18 | 38 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 23 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 30 | 61 | 24 | -3 | ||||
Player to watch
Izale McLeod
Top scorer for Barnet with 6 goals in only 10 appearances, did Luggy make an error in letting him go?
Player details here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izale_McLeod
Why Luggy turned down Izzy and Elvis:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
sturrock_still_searches_for_striker_neither_mcleod_and_hammond_
were_at_the_required_standard_549534/index.shtml
Last time Out
Home - Barnet 1 Shrewsbury Town 1 (played on Saturday, January 15th, 2010.)
Report: http://www.barnetfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10431~53330,00.html
Away - Port Vale 0 Barnet 0 (played on Tuesday, January 25th, 2010.)
Report: www.barnetfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10431~51960,00.html
Highlights from the Beeb:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9377146.stm
PREVIOUSLY
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GROUND
For full info go here:Underhill is at long last seeing some much needed investment with the building of a new South Stand at one end of the ground. The new covered stand provides seating for 1,000 spectators.
The Main Stand situated on one side of the ground is quite small and straddles the half way line, running barely half of the pitch. This stand which was built in 1964, is seated with a capacity of 800. Opposite is the East Terrace. This covered terrace runs the full length of the pitch and is given to away supporters.
On the North side of the Main Stand is a small terrace, whilst on the other side is a small all seated Family Stand. This stand at one time was a small covered terrace, that has now had seats installed. At one end is the North Terrace. This end is so small that it has a large mesh fence at the back of it, to prevent footballs hitting the houses that sit on the other side of Westcombe Drive.
The most striking feature of the ground is the relatively new club office building which sits at one corner of the ground, beside the South Stand.
Altough the slope of the pitch is not as bad as it once was, it is still fairly noticeable, running down the length of the pitch from North to South. The club is still hoping to find a suitable location for a new stadium.
Away fans are housed on one side of the covered East Terrace, towards the North End of the ground. This area accommodates around 1,000 supporters. If demand requires it then the open North Terrace can also be allocated, increasing the allocation to 1,500.
Normally a relaxing and enjoyable day out, although when you view the slope of the pitch, you almost think that it must be an optical illusion, as it is at quite an angle. As a matter of interest you may hear the home fans singing that Beatles classic 'Twist & Shout' from time to time!
It's pay on the day only now on the terraces, all tickets £15 only, 1,099to be sold in the away end.
Full details here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw9/barnet_tickets_619037/index.shtml
WEATHER
Cloudy and 2c's, winter's back!
The man in the middle is, oh dear, Trevor Kettle from Oakham.
A full interview with him here: http://refworld.com/referee/146/1.
His assistants are Mike Blackledge from Peterborough and Wayne Porter from Bourne, Lincs.
The fourth official is Steve Daly.
FIXTURES
League Two
Saturday, January 29th; (all kick-offs 15.00): Barnet v Southend, Chesterfield v Bradford, Crewe v Accrington Stanley, Gillingham v Aldershot, Lincoln City v Port Vale, Morecambe v Macclesfield, Oxford Utd v Cheltenham, Rotherham v Stockport.
BET
Barnet (to win) - 9/5, Draw - 12/5, Southend (to win) - 7/4 (Favourite!)
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-two/
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW5
By Car go here:
By Coach go here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw3/barnet_619116/index.shtml
PUB AND PIES
For the best drinking around the ground and in the town go here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw8/
hear_the_lion_roar_pub_crawl_in_barnet_625696/index.shtml
SOMEWHERE TO LAY YOUR HAT
For an overnight stay:
HISTORY
Barnet FC were formed in 1888, having formerly been known as New Barnet FC (1885-1888) and Woodville FC (1882-1885). They were known as "The Hillmen" and played in New Barnet before moving to Queens Road in 1889.
Initially they played friendly games before becoming inaugural members of the North London League in 1892-93. They went on to have success in the North Middlesex League Division II (1894-95 runners-up), Division I (1895-96 runners-up) and the Premier Division (1896-97 champions).
Promoted to the London League Division II, Barnet became champions in 1897-98 and spent the following seasons in London League Division I before ceasing to exist in the 1901-02 season.
Two local clubs, Barnet Avenue FC (formed 1890) and Alston Works AFC (formed 1901) continued to attract support. Barnet Avenue renamed themselves Barnet FC in 1904 and as staunch believers in the amateur game they shunned the London Football Authority in favour of the Amateur Football Association.
Alston Works AFC, later Barnet Alston FC, became champions of the London League in 1906/7. In 1907 they moved to the club's current ground at Underhill, Barnet Lane. Their first match was a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace FC on 14 September 1907.
After merging with the Avenue team in 1912 they spearheaded the new Athenian League as Barnet and Alston FC. After the First World War in 1919 they became the third instance of Barnet FC. This team continues today.
On June Ist 2010, former Blue and ex-Gills boss Mark Stimson was appointed as the new manager but after a poor start to the season was sacked on New Year's Day 2011.
Former boss Paul Fairclough is serving in a caretaker capacity until a new appointment is made.
(For a more comprehensive history of the club, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnet_F.C.)