v 
SHRIMPERS
So Bomber wants us to come out fighting, well if Bilel gets picked you never know.
However, after recent events, and I mean the two successive defeats, a point would be very well received by the Shrimpers faithful.
News of a virus affecting keeper Glenn Morris and winger Ryan Hall is not the best start, and hard to pick a possible eleven when you don't know how the injury situartion is going to be settled but I wouldn't be surprised to see Blues boss Paul Sturrock sticking to the same team that started last week, with a suttle change of tactics, Ryan starting on the left would help.
Look, if he didn't start with Lee Sawyer at home he's hardly going to go all attack minded away against a team such as Port Vale!
For all the confident talk of Jemal Johnson he's too much of a risk on current form, unless Hall is out, and I'll put Luke Prosser back in, but Peter Gilbert again will replace the former Valiant hasn't recovered.
Though Blair has declared that: “I feel fit enough to be back in the squad again now.', it's the bench for me for the birthday boy.
Mark Phillips fit, now that would be a surprise, go on, let's cheer up the travelling fans, let's start with Bilel Mohsni!
Possible Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Mohsni, Barker, Prosser, Kalala, Ferdinand, Grant, Hall, Harris, Dickinson.
Subs: Bentley, Gilbert, Sawyer, Johnstone, Sturrock.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!
OPPOSITION
In: Ryan Burge (Hyde, undisclosed), Ben Williamson (Hyde, loan), Mike Green (AFC Totton, free), Kingsley James (Sheffield United, free), Clayton McDonald (Walsall, free), Phil Roe (Sheffield United, free).
Out: Justin Richards (Burton), Kris Taylor (Darlington, free), Matthew Bell (Mansfield, free), Ritchie Sutton (Mansfield, free.)
Our friends at www.maxihobbs.com say: 'Over the course of the season Port Vale proved difficult to play against at Vale Park, more so in the first half of the season. They faced the 2nd fewest shots per game at home (8) and were the 2nd best at keeping possession at home with 53% on average. With the reappointment of Micky Adams Port Vale fans will believe they can genuinely keep up a promotion challenge. After all the Vale were top 3 material for much of the first half of the season and with Adams back at the helm, there’s no reason why Vale can’t beat anyone on their day.
Weaknesses: 'One achilles heel for the Vale was their proneness to conceding late goals, (indeed), losing them many points throughout the season, this effectively cost them a play-off place. Not only that but if Vale did concede the first goal in a game they had the 3rd worst points record in the division, proving that heads drop after going behind. A summer of less than inspiring signings could also mean Adams has a much sterner test on his hands this season than of last.
Outlook: 'The loss of Marc Richards for the start of the season is a real blow to Vale, a lot will rely on other strikers and their ability to replace his goals. Unrest behind the scenes is as rife as ever which will only harm fan morale and staff behind the scenes. Whether this will affect Vale on the pitch is another matter but it’s a tall order to expect them to make a similar start to last season unless Adams can wave his magic wand once again?'
Consistant hitman Marc Richards could make his return to the Port Vale squad having played since sustaining an ankle problem against Crawley Town on the opening day of the season, a game that finished 2-2.
However, Richards may have to settle for a place on the bench even if he's passed fit with his replacement Sean Rigg on such hot form, (see player-to-watch.)
The Staffordshire side have embarked on a four-match unbeaten run, which has prompted Valiants boss Micky Adams to largely keep faith with the same starting line-up.
It has left midfielders Rob Taylor, Lewis Haldane, Louis Dodds, Ryan Burge and Sam Morsy awaiting their first league starts.
Player to watch
Marc Richards
Any team with Valiants club captain March Richards in their side cannot be dismissed.
sadly missed at the start of the season he's already scored 8 goals in only 15 games this season on top of the 20-odd he got last time around, and more than 100 in over 350 appearances!
Dangerous.
Player details here:
Last time out
Southend United 4 Accrington Stanley 1 (played on Saturday, August 20th): Report: www.port-vale.co.uk
Beeb highlights here (and all four were in the first half!): http://news.bbc.co.uk
In the play-off zone
| 4 | Morecambe | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 9 | +5 | ||||
| 5 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | +1 | ||||
| 6 | Port Vale | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 8 | +5 | ||||
| 7 | AFC Wimbledon | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 7 | +3 | ||||
| 8 | Oxford United | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 7 | +2 | ||||
| 9 | Bristol Rovers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 7 | +1 | ||||
| 10 | Torquay United | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 0 | ||||
| 11 | Burton Albion | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 6 | +1 | ||||
| 12 | Cheltenham Town | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 0 | ||||
| 13 | Southend United | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -2 | ||||
PREVIOUSLY
| At Port Vale (36) | At Southend Utd. (36) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Port Vale | 19 | 52.78 | Southend Utd. | 13 | 36.11 | |
| Southend Utd. | 6 | 16.67 | Port Vale | 5 | 13.89 | |
| Draws | 11 | 30.56 | Draws | 18 | 50.00 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Port Vale | 71 | 1.97 | Southend Utd. | 56 | 1.56 | |
| Southend Utd. | 33 | 0.92 | Port Vale | 38 | 1.06 | |
| On Neutral Ground (0) | Overall (72 matches) | |||||
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Port Vale | 0 | 0.00 | Port Vale | 24 | 33.33 | |
| Southend Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Southend Utd. | 19 | 26.39 | |
| Draws | 0 | 0.00 | Draws | 29 | 40.28 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Port Vale | 0 | 0.00 | Port Vale | 109 | 1.51 | |
| Southend Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Southend Utd. | 89 | 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 09 Apr | Port Vale | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League Two |
| 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.)
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
Can pay on the day. Full details here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
WEATHER
Light rain showers, 17c's.
REF
The man in the middle is Jon Moss from West Yorkshire.
The man who was in charge with the goal that never was!: www.fanatix.com
His assistants are Darren England from Barnsley and Peter Gooch from Wigan.
The fourth official is Ryan Newman from Barnsley.
FIXTURES
League Two
Saturday, August 27th: (all kick-offs 15.00): Accrington Stanley v Burton Albion, Bradford v Barnet, Bristol Rovers v Hereford, Cheltenham v Crawley Town, Dag & Red v Torquay, Macclesfield v AFC Wimbledon, Northampton v Morecambe, Oxford Utd v Aldershot, Plymouth v Crewe, Port Vale v Southend, Rotherham v Gillingham, Shrewsbury v Swindon.
BET
Crawley Town (to win) - 6/4, Draw - 12/5, Southend (to win) - 9/4.
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com
TRANSPORT
By Train: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
By Car: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
By Coach: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
PUB AND PIES
For the best drinking: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
For the best drinking: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
SOMEWHERE TO LAY YOUR HAT
For an overnight stay: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
For an overnight stay: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
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.
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.
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............
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.
After less than three months and only 15 games in charge at Vale Park, Gannon was sacked!
Mark Grew was appointed as caretaker manager and took charge of first-team affairs for the third time!
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, which alienating fans and players alike in the process!
However, Grew failed to lift the club back into the play-offs, though at the end of the season supporters were delighted to learn that Micky Adams would be returning as manager.
Adams also took up a position as director, whilst chairman Bill Bratt resigned to be replaced by Mike Lloyd.
Never a dull moment in the Potteries, and we haven't even mentioned Robbie Williams.........
(There's an even more comprehensive history of the club available here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Vale_F.C.)