SHRIMPERS
Well, this could be interesting.
A real test for the Shrimpers that should show how far they've come over the last couple of weeks, especially at Roots Hall, which doesn't seem to hold the fear for them that it once did, coming back from a goal down against Oxford on Tuesday would have done their confidence levels a world of good.
And you can probably look to Bilel Mohsni as the main reason for the turnaround.
The coolness of Kane Ferdinand in front of the defence has allowed far greater freedom for both Captian Craig Easton and Anthony Grant, Blair Sturrock has also greatly improved in reason months, while Mr. Consistancy himself, especially in gaining S24 M-O-M awards, wideboy Ryan Hall, just gets better with every game.
Keeper Rhys Evans concerns me a touch, but until he makes another Chesterfield type cock-up, not yet Rhys, please, Glenn Morris may have to wait a touch longer to return.
So I see no change in the starting eleven from the last game, but expect the Shrews to be a much tougher test and for that, and I know I've won many followers for my amazing prediction skills, well, a couple of you wrote in, I was going for a 1-1 draw.
However, Luggy has put some real steel back in this team, so I'm putting a tenner on a sneaky 1-0 to the home side but a sixth unbeaten game either way; with Bilel making it five in five?
Now that would be pushing it!
Possible Southend United: Evans, Clohessy, Barker, Mohsni, Gilbert, Ferdinand, Easton, Grant, Hall, Sturrock, Corr.
Subs: Morris, Herd, Phillips, Comminges, Sawyer, Soares, Crawford.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!
OPPOSITION
Lost their last two away, 3-1 to Oxford and 1-0 to Bury (report below.)
No new injury concerns for Shrews boss John Sheridan at the moment but we will update.
However, he has a new right-back with the signing of free agent Kelvin Lomax, but will not be seen against Southend as though the former Oldham defender signed a contract until the end of the season he's still recovering from a ligament injury.
It's quite an important game3 Rotherham United 27 7 5 2 32 19 5 3 5 15 14 12 8 7 47 33 44 +14 4 Bury 26 4 5 3 16 13 8 2 4 29 17 12 7 7 45 30 43 +15 5 Port Vale 27 7 3 2 13 7 5 4 6 17 16 12 7 8 30 23 43 +7 6 Shrewsbury Town 28 7 5 2 23 11 4 4 6 18 18 11 9 8 41 29 42 +12 7 Crewe Alexandra 27 7 3 3 28 12 4 5 5 27 29 11 8 8 55 41 41 +14 8 Gillingham 28 7 3 4 15 12 4 5 5 25 24 11 8 9 40 36 41 +4 9 Southend United 27 5 3 5 19 19 6 3 5 18 13 11 6 10 37 32 39 +5 10 Oxford United 28 7 2 6 20 16 4 4 5 17 21 11 6 11 37 37 39 0 11 Cheltenham Town 28 5 3 5 16 15 5 5 5 23 25 10 8 10 39 40 38 -1
Player to Watch
Mark Wright
Top scorer with 12 goals from midfield with plenty of assists, needs to be watched.
Read more about him here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Wright_(footballer_born_1982)
Last Time Out
Away; Bury 1 Shrewsbury 0 (played on Friday, January 28th, 2011.)
Report: www.shrewsburytown.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10443~53400,00.html
Home; Shrewsbury town 3 Burton Albion 0 (played on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011.)
Report: www.shrewsburytown.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10443~53447,00.html
PREVIOUSLY At Southend Utd. (27) At Shrewsbury Tn. (27) Results Total % Results Total % Southend Utd. 17 62.96 Shrewsbury Tn. 10 37.04 Shrewsbury Tn. 5 18.52 Southend Utd. 8 29.63 Draws 5 18.52 Draws 9 33.33 Goals Total Av.pg Goals Total Av.pg Southend Utd. 56 2.07 Shrewsbury Tn. 47 1.74 Shrewsbury Tn. 27 1.00 Southend Utd. 31 1.15 On Neutral Ground (0) Overall (54 matches) Results Total % Results Total % Southend Utd. 0 0.00 Southend Utd. 25 46.30 Shrewsbury Tn. 0 0.00 Shrewsbury Tn. 15 27.78 Draws 0 0.00 Draws 14 25.93 Goals Total Av.pg Goals Total Av.pg Southend Utd. 0 0.00 Southend Utd. 87 1.61 Shrewsbury Tn. 0 0.00 Shrewsbury Tn. 74 1.37 Records Highest Aggregate 8 Southend Utd. 7 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. 1963/1964 Highest Southend Utd. score: 7 Southend Utd. 7 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. 1963/1964 Highest Shrewsbury Tn. score: 7 Shrewsbury Tn. 7 - 1 Southend Utd. 1952/1953 Season Date Home Score Away Competition 2010/2011 Sat 20 Nov Shrewsbury Tn. 1 - 1 Southend Utd. League Two 2004/2005 Tue 22 Feb Southend Utd. 1 - 0 Shrewsbury Tn. League Two Tue 02 Nov Southend Utd. 4 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. (Associate Members) Sat 23 Oct Shrewsbury Tn. 1 - 1 Southend Utd. League Two 2002/2003 Tue 14 Jan Shrewsbury Tn. 0 - 1 Southend Utd. League Division Three Sat 17 Aug Southend Utd. 2 - 3 Shrewsbury Tn. League Division Three 2001/2002 Sat 13 Apr Southend Utd. 0 - 2 Shrewsbury Tn. League Division Three Sat 24 Nov Shrewsbury Tn. 2 - 0 Southend Utd. League Division Three 2000/2001 Sat 27 Jan Southend Utd. 0 - 0 Shrewsbury Tn. League Division Three Fri 22 Dec Shrewsbury Tn. 0 - 1 Southend Utd. League Division Three 1999/2000 Sat 22 Apr Shrewsbury Tn. 2 - 1 Southend Utd. League Division Three Sat 16 Oct Southend Utd. 3 - 2 Shrewsbury Tn. League Division Three 1998/1999 Sat 16 Jan Shrewsbury Tn. 3 - 1 Southend Utd. League Division Three Sat 15 Aug Southend Utd. 2 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. League Division Three 1990/1991 Sat 02 Feb Shrewsbury Tn. 0 - 1 Southend Utd. Third Division Tue 18 Sep Southend Utd. 2 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division 1978/1979 Fri 09 Feb Shrewsbury Tn. 2 - 0 Southend Utd. Third Division Fri 29 Sep Southend Utd. 0 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division 1975/1976 Tue 06 Apr Shrewsbury Tn. 3 - 1 Southend Utd. Third Division Sat 27 Sep Southend Utd. 1 - 3 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division 1973/1974 Sun 10 Mar Southend Utd. 2 - 0 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division Sat 27 Oct Shrewsbury Tn. 1 - 2 Southend Utd. Third Division 1972/1973 Fri 02 Mar Shrewsbury Tn. 1 - 0 Southend Utd. Third Division Fri 06 Oct Southend Utd. 2 - 0 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division 1969/1970 Mon 08 Sep Southend Utd. 2 - 0 Shrewsbury Tn. League Cup Tue 02 Sep Shrewsbury Tn. 2 - 2 Southend Utd. League Cup 1965/1966 Mon 14 Mar Southend Utd. 2 - 0 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division Fri 01 Oct Shrewsbury Tn. 3 - 0 Southend Utd. Third Division 1964/1965 Sat 12 Dec Shrewsbury Tn. 1 - 3 Southend Utd. Third Division Sat 22 Aug Southend Utd. 1 - 0 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division 1963/1964 Sat 04 Apr Southend Utd. 7 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division Sat 23 Nov Shrewsbury Tn. 2 - 2 Southend Utd. Third Division 1962/1963 Wed 12 Sep Shrewsbury Tn. 6 - 0 Southend Utd. Third Division Mon 03 Sep Southend Utd. 3 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division 1961/1962 Wed 25 Oct Shrewsbury Tn. 1 - 1 Southend Utd. Third Division Mon 02 Oct Southend Utd. 1 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division 1960/1961 Mon 26 Sep Southend Utd. 1 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division Wed 21 Sep Shrewsbury Tn. 2 - 2 Southend Utd. Third Division 1959/1960 Sat 13 Feb Shrewsbury Tn. 1 - 3 Southend Utd. Third Division Sat 26 Sep Southend Utd. 2 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division 1957/1958 Sat 15 Mar Shrewsbury Tn. 1 - 1 Southend Utd. Third Division (South) Sat 02 Nov Southend Utd. 5 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division (South) 1956/1957 Sat 16 Mar Southend Utd. 1 - 2 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division (South) Sat 03 Nov Shrewsbury Tn. 0 - 0 Southend Utd. Third Division (South) 1955/1956 Mon 23 Apr Shrewsbury Tn. 1 - 1 Southend Utd. Third Division (South) Sat 31 Mar Southend Utd. 1 - 0 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division (South) 1954/1955 Sat 18 Dec Shrewsbury Tn. 2 - 3 Southend Utd. Third Division (South) Sat 21 Aug Southend Utd. 4 - 1 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division (South) 1953/1954 Sat 27 Feb Southend Utd. 3 - 0 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division (South) Sat 10 Oct Shrewsbury Tn. 2 - 1 Southend Utd. Third Division (South) 1952/1953 Fri 01 May Southend Utd. 2 - 2 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division (South) Sat 13 Dec Shrewsbury Tn. 7 - 1 Southend Utd. Third Division (South) 1951/1952 Sat 16 Feb Southend Utd. 2 - 2 Shrewsbury Tn. Third Division (South) Sat 06 Oct Shrewsbury Tn. 0 - 1 Southend Utd. Third Division (South)
REF
The man in the middle is Graham Salisbury from Lancashire.
He gives an interview here: http://refworld.com/referee/166/1/graham-salisbury
His assistants are Carl Brook and Mike George; The fourth official is Phillip Knight.
FIXTURES
League Two
Saturday, February 5th; (all kick-offs 15.00): Bury v Burton Albion, Chesterfield v Aldershot, Gillingham v Oxford Utd, Hereford v Lincoln City, Macclesfield v Bradford, Morecambe v Cheltenham, Northampton v Barnet, Rotherham v Crewe, Southend v Shrewsbury, Stevenage v Accrington Stanley, Torquay v Stockport, Wycombe v Port Vale.
Friday, February 11th; Burton Albion v Chesterfield (19.45).
BET
Southend (to win) - 13/10, Draw - 5/2, Shrewsbury (to win) - 23/10.
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-two/
HISTORY
Shrewsbury Town were formed in May 1886, indirectly following the demise of Castle Blues. The Blues were a rough team, leading to their demise after several games were marred by violence.
The new team hoped to be as successful but without the notoriety. Press reports differ as to the date the new club was formed, The Eddowes Shropshire Journal of 26 May 1886 reported the birth of the club at the Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury Chronicle reported the club's being formed at the Turf Hotel, Claremont Hill, Shrewsbury. It may be both accounts are true, with a get-together at the Lion being finalised at the Turf.
After friendlies and regional cup competitions for the first few seasons, Shrewsbury were founder members of the Shropshire & District League in 1890-91, later admitted to the Birmingham & District League in 1895-96. Many of the teams Town faced in the early days have vanished, however Shrewsbury met many of today's Football League and Conference teams, including Crewe Alexandra, Coventry City, Stoke City, Kidderminster Harriers and Stafford Rangers.
In 1910, Shrewsbury looked to move to a new ground, having spent early years at locations across the town, notably at Copthorne barracks west of the town. The club moved to Gay Meadow on the edge of the town centre, within sight of Shrewsbury Abbey and stayed 97 years.
Shrewsbury's Birmingham League days were mostly mid-table, with a few seasons challenging near the top, the club being league champions in 1922-23.
A move to the Midland Champions League in 1937-38 saw the club enjoy one of its most successful seasons, winning a league and cup treble. Shrewsbury were league champions, scoring 111 goals . In addition, the Welsh Cup was won following a replay, the team enjoyed a run in the FA Cup, and won the Shropshire Senior Cup.
After a run of good seasons in post-war years, Shrewsbury were admitted to the old Division 3 (North) of the Football League in 1950, after being Midland League champions in 1949-50.
The club was promoted back to the Football League in 2004 at the first attempt, when they won the Conference play-off final. They had been relegated into the conference national from what was then the Third Division (fourth tier) in 2003.
In 2006-07, they reached the first play-off final at the new Wembley Stadium, losing 3-1 to Bristol Rovers. Shrewsbury qualified once again for the fourth tier play-off final at Wembley in 2008-09, but lost 1-0 to Gillingham.
The old Gay Meadow ground which we knew and loved, sort of, lasted 97 years between 1910 and 2002.
It hosted over 3,000 matches, 3rd and 4th tier championships, 5 time Welsh Cup winners, league Cup semi finals, Football league trophy semi finals, play off semi finals, a full conference season, 10 years in the 2nd tier and huge cup shocks. This ground saw it all but was demolished three years ago!
The spanking new state of the art Greenhous Meadow stadium was opened July 17th 2007 4-0 win Vs A-line allstars featuring Gianfranco Zola. Has already seen one playoff semi final during its short history and hosted Manchester City, England under 19's and the full England Women's team.
(For a more comprehensive history of the club, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrewsbury_Town_F.C.)