v 
So Bilel Mohsni has come and gone, but possibily captain Craig Easton will return to try and steady the ship, and it certainly looks as if Luke Prosser will be in the centre of defence to face his old club.
Other than that, good luck to the lads and let's hope they can get something out of the remaining six games to try and keep our position in the league table respectible.
As for this one, I'll be very happy with a draw, but I said that on Tuesday night, and a similar result at the weekend wouldn't surprise me.
Possible Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Coughlan, Prosser, Barker, Ferdinand, Grant, Easton, Hall, Sturrock, Corr.
Subs: Evans, Nesbitt, Comminges, Woodyard, Bouzid, Soares, Asante.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!
OPPOSITION
Port Vale are without striker Tom Pope but influential centre-back Gareth Owen could return.
Despite having recently penned a loan extension, Pope was recalled by parent club Rotherham, who currently find themselves one point and one place behind the Valiants in the table.
But his loss could in part be offset at the other end of the pitch by the comeback of Owen, who missed last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Chesterfield having hobbled out of the 2-1 win over Lincoln with a recurrence of his hamstring injury. (Report below.)
Vale are hoping he will not have suffered any reaction upon his return to training on Thursday and Friday of this week.
Fellow centre-back John McCombe and midfielder Doug Loft sustained respective back and knee problems against the Spireites but are expected to be okay.
(Valiants team news suppiled by www.teamtalk.com)
Player to watch 
Marc Richards
20 goals from 40 starts this season in all competitions this season, hit his 100th career goal aginst the Imps last week, the make-shift Shrimpers central defence of Coughlan & Prosser will have to be on top form to keep him out.
Player details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Richards
Last time Out
Home - Port Vale 2 Lincoln City 1 (played on Tuesday, March 29th, 2011.)
Report: www.port-vale.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10381~52002,00.html
Away - Chesterfield 2 Port Vale 0 (played on Saturday, April 2nd, 2011.)
Report: www.port-vale.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10381~51938,00.html
Play-offs still on for the Valiants5 Stevenage 40 8 9 3 31 19 9 3 8 23 16 17 12 11 54 35 63 +19 6 Accrington Stanley 40 13 4 3 47 23 3 11 6 17 28 16 15 9 64 51 63 +13 7 Torquay United 40 10 5 5 36 22 6 9 5 31 25 16 14 10 67 47 62 +20 8 Gillingham 40 10 6 4 24 15 5 10 5 32 30 15 16 9 56 45 61 +11 9 Port Vale 40 10 6 4 23 17 6 6 8 22 25 16 12 12 45 42 60 +3 10 Rotherham United 40 9 7 4 38 24 7 4 9 29 29 16 11 13 67 53 59 +14
PREVIOUSLY
| At Port Vale (35) | At Southend Utd. (36) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Port Vale | 19 | 54.29 | Southend Utd. | 13 | 36.11 | |
| Southend Utd. | 6 | 17.14 | Port Vale | 5 | 13.89 | |
| Draws | 10 | 28.57 | Draws | 18 | 50.00 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Port Vale | 70 | 2.00 | Southend Utd. | 56 | 1.56 | |
| Southend Utd. | 32 | 0.91 | Port Vale | 38 | 1.06 | |
| On Neutral Ground (0) | Overall (71 matches) | |||||
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Port Vale | 0 | 0.00 | Port Vale | 24 | 33.80 | |
| Southend Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Southend Utd. | 19 | 26.76 | |
| Draws | 0 | 0.00 | Draws | 28 | 39.44 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Port Vale | 0 | 0.00 | Port Vale | 108 | 1.52 | |
| Southend Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Southend Utd. | 88 | 1.24 | |
| Records | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Aggregate | 6 | Southend Utd. | 3 - 3 | Port Vale | 1987/1988 |
| Highest Port Vale score: | 5 | Port Vale | 5 - 0 | Southend Utd. | 1994/1995 |
| Highest Southend Utd. score: | 5 | Southend Utd. | 5 - 1 | Port Vale | 1980/1981 |
| Season | Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/2011 | Sat 21 Aug | Southend Utd. | 1 - 3 | Port Vale | League Two |
| 2007/2008 | Sat 03 May | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Port Vale | League One |
| Sat 29 Sep | Port Vale | 1 - 2 | Southend Utd. | League One | |
| 2005/2006 | Sat 26 Nov | Port Vale | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League One |
| Sat 06 Aug | Southend Utd. | 1 - 2 | Port Vale | League One | |
| 1996/1997 | Sat 25 Jan | Port Vale | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League Division One |
| Sat 21 Sep | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Port Vale | League Division One | |
| 1995/1996 | Sat 09 Mar | Port Vale | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League Division One |
| Wed 20 Dec | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Port Vale | League Division One | |
| 1994/1995 | Sat 28 Jan | Southend Utd. | 1 - 2 | Port Vale | League Division One |
| Sat 05 Nov | Port Vale | 5 - 0 | Southend Utd. | League Division One | |
| 1991/1992 | Wed 15 Apr | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Port Vale | Second Division |
| Sat 21 Sep | Port Vale | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Second Division | |
| 1988/1989 | Sat 06 May | Port Vale | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Fri 02 Dec | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Port Vale | Third Division | |
| 1987/1988 | Fri 22 Jan | Southend Utd. | 3 - 3 | Port Vale | Third Division |
| Mon 14 Sep | Port Vale | 4 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1985/1986 | Mon 05 May | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Port Vale | Fourth Division |
| Sat 19 Oct | Port Vale | 4 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division | |
| 1984/1985 | Fri 29 Mar | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Port Vale | Fourth Division |
| Mon 05 Nov | Port Vale | 4 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division | |
| 1983/1984 | Mon 19 Mar | Southend Utd. | 1 - 2 | Port Vale | Third Division |
| Mon 30 Jan | Port Vale | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1980/1981 | Mon 10 Nov | Port Vale | 1 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division |
| Mon 18 Aug | Southend Utd. | 5 - 1 | Port Vale | Fourth Division | |
| 1975/1976 | Mon 09 Feb | Port Vale | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Sat 13 Sep | Southend Utd. | 3 - 3 | Port Vale | Third Division | |
| 1974/1975 | Tue 01 Apr | Port Vale | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Sat 28 Dec | Southend Utd. | 1 - 3 | Port Vale | Third Division | |
| 1973/1974 | Sat 09 Feb | Southend Utd. | 1 - 0 | Port Vale | Third Division |
| Sat 22 Sep | Port Vale | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1972/1973 | Fri 20 Apr | Southend Utd. | 5 - 0 | Port Vale | Third Division |
| Sat 30 Sep | Port Vale | 3 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1969/1970 | Mon 23 Feb | Port Vale | 3 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division |
| Mon 29 Sep | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Port Vale | Fourth Division | |
| 1968/1969 | Mon 24 Feb | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Port Vale | Fourth Division |
| Mon 04 Nov | Port Vale | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division | |
| 1967/1968 | Fri 15 Dec | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Port Vale | Fourth Division |
| Sat 19 Aug | Port Vale | 1 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division | |
| 1966/1967 | Sat 04 Mar | Port Vale | 1 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division |
| Fri 14 Oct | Southend Utd. | 4 - 1 | Port Vale | Fourth Division | |
| 1964/1965 | Fri 26 Mar | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Port Vale | Third Division |
| Fri 08 Jan | Port Vale | 2 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1963/1964 | Sat 22 Feb | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Port Vale | Third Division |
| Sat 12 Oct | Port Vale | 4 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| Wed 25 Sep | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Port Vale | League Cup | |
| 1962/1963 | Mon 24 Sep | Port Vale | 5 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Mon 17 Sep | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Port Vale | Third Division | |
| 1961/1962 | Mon 16 Oct | Southend Utd. | 4 - 1 | Port Vale | Third Division |
| Mon 04 Sep | Port Vale | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1960/1961 | Sat 21 Jan | Port Vale | 4 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Sat 10 Sep | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Port Vale | Third Division | |
| 1959/1960 | Mon 22 Feb | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Port Vale | Third Division |
| Sat 03 Oct | Port Vale | 3 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1957/1958 | Sat 15 Feb | Port Vale | 1 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 05 Oct | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Port Vale | Third Division (South) | |
| 1951/1952 | Mon 27 Aug | Port Vale | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Tue 21 Aug | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Port Vale | Third Division (South) | |
| 1950/1951 | Sat 21 Apr | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Port Vale | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 02 Dec | Port Vale | 3 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1949/1950 | Mon 29 Aug | Port Vale | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Tue 23 Aug | Southend Utd. | 1 - 0 | Port Vale | Third Division (South) | |
| 1948/1949 | Sat 22 Jan | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Port Vale | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 11 Sep | Port Vale | 0 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1947/1948 | Sat 21 Feb | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Port Vale | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 04 Oct | Port Vale | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1946/1947 | Sat 31 May | Port Vale | 5 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 19 Apr | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Port Vale | Third Division (South) | |
| 1938/1939 | Sat 22 Apr | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Port Vale | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 17 Dec | Port Vale | 2 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| Sat 10 Dec | Port Vale | 0 - 1 | Southend Utd. | F.A. Cup |
GROUND
At one end of the ground is a fair sized single tiered all seated stand, complete with an electric scoreboard on the roof. This stand, the Phones4U Stand, houses the away supporters and it replaced a former open terrace.
Opposite is the Big AM Stand, covered and all seated. The corners on either side of this stand have been filled. The Tricell Stand (also known as the Railway Stand) on one side is fair sized, covered and all seated. All three of these stands have a small number of supporting pillars, half way up them, which may restrict your view.
The other side, the Lorne Street Stand, is a relatively new smart looking 5,000 all seated stand, complete with 48 executive boxes. However the stand is yet to be fully finished so that there is still a large area of concrete on one side, rather than rows of seats. This is a pity, as the empty 'predominantly concrete' area, really brings the ground down. Still, if this stand does get completed, it will look superb.
To keep some sense of history the original clock from the old stand has been incorporated into the new construction. On the opposite corner is a Police Control Box keeping a watchful eye over the crowd. The pitch is one of the widest in the League and the crowd are further set back from the playing action by the surrounding cinder track.
Up to 4,500 away supporters can be accommodated in the Phones4U Stand, where the view and facilities located on the concourse behind the stand are good. Even a relatively small number of away fans can really make some noise from this stand, as the acoustics are excellent. However, the slope is quite shallow, which might affect your view should a tall person be seated in front. Normally though, you could still move to another seat if necessary.
(Thanks to www.footballgroundguide.com for stadium information.)
TICKETS
Unsurprisingly, it's pay on the day only for standing & sitting.
Full details here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw9/port_vale_tickets_659843/index.shtml
WEATHER
Warm & sunny & 19c's.
REF
The man in the middle is Phil Gibbs from Birmingham.
A full interview with him here: http://refworld.com/referee/184/1/phil-gibbs.
His assistants are James Adcock and Paul Hobday; The fourth official is Carl Dunn.
FIXTURES
League Two
Friday, April 8th: Macclesfield v Accrington Stanley, 19:45.
Saturday, April 9th; (all kick-offs 15.00): Aldershot v Shrewsbury, Barnet v Crewe, Bradford v Torquay, Cheltenham v Rotherham, Hereford v Chesterfield, Lincoln City v Gillingham, Morecambe v Burton Albion, Northampton v Bury, Oxford Utd v Wycombe, Port Vale v Southend, Stockport v Stevenage.
BET
Port Vale (to win) - , Draw - , Southend (to win) - . (To be updated)
By Car go here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw7/port_vale_665459/index.shtml
By Coach go here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw3/port_vale_665456/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/
grab_the_bulls_head_pub_crawl_for_port_vale_665427/index.shtml
SOMEWHERE TO LAY YOUR HAT
For an overnight stay:
HISTORY
Port Vale are one of the few English league clubs not to be named after a city or town.
The name Port Vale exists on maps pre-dating the 1876 formation of the club, and is a reference to a valley of ports on the Trent and Merse Canal, associated with the city's pottery industry.
The two symbols on the clubs badge are a bottle kiln and the Stafford knot. The club's mascot is Boomer the Dog, the Baha Men hit 'Who Let the Dogs Out?' is played as Boomer takes to the field before kick-off at home games, his squad number is 'K9'.
The current shirt sponsorship comes from Harlequin Property.
They have played more seasons in the second tier of English football (41) than any other club who have never reached the top tier.
Possibly the club's most successful times have been in the 1950s, where they were FA Cup semi-finalists in 1954 and won numerous league titles.
John Rudge was manager from 1983 to 1999 and steered the club through some of its best years, certainly in recent times. Under his leadership the club reached 8th in the second tier in the 1996-97 season and enjoyed cup glory and numerous promotion campaigns.
Since his reign the club have declined, Bill Bratt's Valiant 2001 supporters group took the club out of administration in 2003.
But despite providing relative financial security for the club, as of 2009 the group has failed to prevent the club slipping to its lowest league standing in 30 years.
While sitting in fourth place in January 2011 their mamager who started the season Micky Adams walked out in to join Championship club Sheffield United last week, and after a 5-0 reverse away to Rotherham at the weekend, they needed a new one, quickly.
And they went for Jim Gannon on a one-and-a-half-year contract, a disappointment probably then to Stockport County fans who hoped he would replace their recently sacked boss Paul Simpson.
42-year-old Gannon led Stockport to promotion from the League basement in 2007-08, and remains a legendary figure at Edgley Park.
He was made redundant by the Hatters due to their earlier financial problems and joined Motherwell in the SPL in 2009, leaving them after only 25 games.
Gannon then helped out for a couple of months at Peterborough in early 2010 after Darren Ferguson was given his P45, but was not employed on a full-time basis, Gary Johnson getting that position.
Vale chairman Bill Bratt told www.port-vale.co.uk: "We are delighted that Jim has agreed to join Port Vale at what is undoubtedly a very exciting period for the club. We are an ambitious club and we believe Jim is the right appointment to deliver the success we are striving for."
However............
After less than three months and only 15 games in charge at Vale Park, Gannon was sacked!
Mark Grew has been appointed as caretaker manager and took charge of first-team affairs.
The Valiants fell out of the top seven following Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley, prompting chants of "we want Gannon out" from angry Vale supporters.
The former Stockport and Peterborough manager led the team to four wins, four draws and seven defeats during his short time at the club despite Adams taking Vale into a play-off position for the majority of the season.
This all followed assistant boss Geoff Horsfield returning to work following a two-week investigation into his well-documented bus row with Gannon, which occurred on the way to the club's bottom tier match at Aldershot.
(There's an even more comprehensive history of the club available here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Vale_F.C.)