Northampton Town v Southend United

 v  

SHRIMPERS

Well, who would you pick?

And this bloke Anto Flood will be around for the Cobblers match, would actually help if Benyon was injured!

Luggy told the Echo: “Elliot has missed two or three days of training but we hope to have him out there again and we will have to see how he reacts. Hopefully he won’t suffer any kind of reaction and will be fit enough to be involved against Northampton.”

With all this activity up front, and some players should hear they are on their way soon enough if they haven't already, Bilel Mohsni must now be considered a full time centre back, which is probably no bad thing. (Ferdy can also play there if needs must.)

Yet, watch if we're still one down and he's on the bench, even with all these options, Luggy wouldn't be able to help himself!

Ryan Leonard (knee) and Lee Sawyer (thigh will not be available, Ryan for another fortnight it seems, as a win at Sixfields will be the Shrimpers 500th away victory in their history. (Thanks to Chris Phillips of the Echo for that latest fun fact.)

I believe it's too early for Sampson, though that didn't stop him picking Benyon for the Daggers draw when he joined, moreover Liam Dickinson had his best game for ages against Port Vale and deserves another start, I mean who will take the spot kicks?!

It's tough, but presuming Elliot is OK, and after all the excitement of the week, I think he'll start with the same eleven that hammered Port Vale last weekend, with the wingers dropping back more, but a far more exciting bench where Luggs will take a gamble again without a keeper sitting there as Bentley is not in the squad, fit or not! (Bilel to take the green jersey?!)

Just don't drop the ball Glenn!

2-1 Blues!

Possible Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Phillips, Barker, Gilbert, Kalala, Timlin, Hall, Dickinson, Benyon (or Sampson), Martin.

Subs: Mohsni, Grant, Ferdinand, Sampson (or Flood), Harris.

COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!

Flood flows into Roots Hall: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk

Discuss the game: http://boards.footymad.net

The January transfer thread: http://boards.footymad.net

OPPOSITION

It was a real blow to the Cobblers when new signing keeper Shane Higgs picked up a long term injury after a couple of stirring displays, so it looks as if last week's choice Freddy Hall will get another chance, pressure on him there lads.

Midfielder Arron Davies could return to the side as he's recovered from a groin injury.

Defender Byron Webster played in a midweek reserve game at Wolves and is close to a recall.

They have been boosted by right back Jason Crowe signing a new deal until the end of the season.

Northampton boss Aidy Boothroyd told www.ntfc.co.uk: "Arron has been back in training this week and he is available for selection. I thought Freddy Hall did very well last Saturday so I have still got to make a decision about the ongoing goalkeeping position. I've got one or two irons in the fire and I think we do need to bring in a keeper in to push Freddy. (Luke's available!) Byron Webster has been out for a long time but he is working hard on fitness and like everyone else in the squad he needs to be ready should he be called upon."

Last Time Out

Morecambe 1 Northampton Town 2; (played on Saturday, January 7th): Report: www.ntfc.co.uk

Beeb highlights: http://news.bbc.co.uk

Player to watch

Akwasi Asante

He must have something if he's keeping out our old friend and Town top scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa.

On New Years Day, Asante moved to the Cobblers on a one-month loan deal from Championship Birmingham City.

He went straight into the starting eleven for their match the following day, away to Shrewsbury Town, and after 22 minutes he collected a cross from Lewis Young and rounded the goalkeeper to set up the opening goal for Saido Berahino.

The match finished as a 1–1 draw but he followed this up by opening his account when he grabbbed the winner in the 2-1 win against Morecambe, could be annoying if Barker and Phillips are not at the top of their game. (See that goal on the highlights link above.)

(Full player info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Struway2/Akwasi_Asante)

Life at the bottom

PREVIOUSLY

91 years of Cobbler-Shrimpers clashes and after all that it's just 44-42 to Northampton with 26 draws!

GROUND

REF