SHRIMPERS
It looks an unchanged side from the 2-1 win at Rotherham, though Blues boss Paul Sturrock has promised to reveal some new tactics, not always his strongest point, remember the Crewe game, as we try and overturn our miserable home record.
Maybe he'll start with six at the back and only go forward on the break, goalless draw then!
Still no news on Bilel Mohsni so we'll keep him out, but we'll update when we hear something positive.
Of course, many of us will be present to see the third coming of new signing Lee Sawyer, and I would put him straight back instead of the hapless Louie Soares, however, he'll probably start on the bench but hopefully will get enough time to give us an idea of what he's capable of.
Bury are on a six-match winless streak in all competitions themselves that sees them in seventh place in League Two, but they have won seven matches on the road, even better than United!
If there is a goal I can see only one in a nervous affair, and if that turns out to be the case, let's hope it goes to the Shrimpers!
Possible Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Barker, Coughlan, Gilbert, Hall, Easton, Grant, Soares, Sturrock, Corr.
Subs: Morris, Herd, Ferdinand, Sawyer, Comminges, Crawford, Paterson.
Whatever happens, we should show Luggy we can make some noise, especially on a Friday night under lights.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!
OPPOSITION
Shakers manager Alan Knill has a virtually full-strength squad available
Striker Andy Bishop has trained this week, even turning out for the reserves, but after complications in his recovery from tendonitis Knill it's doubtful he'll be included in the first team squad to travel to Roots Hall.
Other than that the Lancashire side have no other injury or suspension worries.
Knill is restricted by financial constraints, tell us about it Alan, as he looks to bolster the club's promotion challenge.
Echoing Luggy's words he told the Manchester Evening News: "We might have to move somebody on if we want to bring somebody in. We're just lacking something at the moment. We're not in a position to go and get whoever. I think we need some fresh faces but we're not in a position to do it."
Ex-Shrimper Efe Sodje is still at Gigg Lane, and should face his former club4 Port Vale 23 6 2 1 12 6 5 4 5 17 15 11 6 6 29 21 39 +8 5 Crewe Alexandra 24 6 3 3 26 11 4 5 3 23 20 10 8 6 49 31 38 +18 6 Shrewsbury Town 24 6 4 2 20 11 4 4 4 17 14 10 8 6 37 25 38 +12 7 Bury 23 3 5 3 15 13 7 1 4 24 14 10 6 7 39 27 36 +12 8 Gillingham 24 6 3 3 13 9 4 3 5 22 21 10 6 8 35 30 36 +5 9 Oxford United 24 6 1 6 16 14 4 4 3 15 17 10 5 9 31 31 35 0 10 Cheltenham Town 24 5 3 4 15 13 4 4 4 20 22 9 7 8 35 35 34 0
Last Time Out
Away; Accrington Stanley 1 Bury 0 (played on Saturday, January 6th, 2011.)
Report: www.buryfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10422~53284,00.html
Home; Bury 1 Aldershot Town 1 (played on Saturday, January 15th, 2011.)
Report: www.buryfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10422~53332,00.html
PREVIOUSLY
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
REF
The man in the middle is Pat Miller from Bedfordshire.
He gives an interview here http://refworld.com/referee/154/1/pat-miller:
His assistants are Wes Linden & Wade Norcott; The fourth official is David Margetts.
FIXTURES
League Two
Friday, January 21st: Southend v Bury, 19:45.
Saturday, January 22nd; (all kick-offs 15.00): Accrington Stanley v Hereford, Aldershot v Crewe, Bradford v Burton Albion, Macclesfield v Barnet, Northampton v Oxford Utd, Port Vale v Cheltenham, Shrewsbury v Chesterfield, Stevenage v Morecambe v Stockport v Lincoln City, Torquay v Gillingham, Wycombe v Rotherham.
Southend (to win) - 13/8, Draw - 5/2, Bury (to win) - 19/10.
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-two/
The club was formed in 1885 following a meeting at the Swan and Cemetery Hotel, between the Bury Wesleyans and Bury Unitarians Football Clubs. Gigg Lane's first ever game took place on 12 September 1885 when Bury played a friendly match against Wigan, and won 4-3.
In 1887 the first shed was built at Gigg Lane at a cost of £50 (although this debt was written off and never paid for), also in the same year Bury recorded their record defeat, 0-10 v. Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup's 1st Round.
Bury's first ever floodlit game took place on 5 November 1889, when a crowd of 7,000 saw Bury defeated 4-5 by Heywood Central.
In 1892 Bury were Lancashire Challenge Cup Winners, before joining the Football League Second Division in 1894, which they won at the first attempt, being undefeated at home all year, and beating Liverpool in a play-off at Stoke, to go up to the First Division. They beat Liverpool in a play-off to clinch promotion to Football League Division One. They stayed there until 1912.
Bury's membership of the Football League from 1894 is now the 3rd longest ongoing run (after founders Preston North End and Notts County).
On 21 April, 1900 they beat Southampton 4-0 at Crystal Palace, and before returning to the London venue in 1903. The second win was achieved without conceding a goal in the entire competition, including a record FA Cup Final score of 6-0 over Derby County on 18 April, which remains the highest ever victory in an FA Cup Final.
Jumping into the next century, on 4 February 2008 Bury appointed Alan Knill as manager. Having made more than 150 appearances he went on to coach the side from next to bottom to 13th position in the 2007-08 Season. Having defied the critics in his 1st season he led Bury to 4th place where they missed out on goal difference by one goal leaving them in the playoffs.
In the 2008/09 playoffs Bury lost out to Shrewsbury Town despite leading the tie with two minutes of normal time remaining. In the first leg, Bury won 1 -0 away from home thanks to a late Neil Ashton own goal.
At Gigg Lane in the second leg, Phil Jevons had the chance to put the game away but missed a penalty. A goal meant that the game went to extra time where Bury saw many chances saved by keeper Luke Daniels. Bury lost on penalties as top scorer Andy Bishop and substitute Danny Racchi both had their penalties saved by Daniels.
In Knill's second full season in charge (2009-10) it seemed promotion may have been a real possibility at one stage in the season. By February, Bury were sitting comfortably near the top of the table, but unfortunately for the Shakers their second push for promotion didn't clinch glory as a poor run of form late on in the season meant they would have to settle for 9th position.
(For a more comprehensive history of the club, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bury_F.C.)