SHRIMPERS
Was it only a couple of weeks that Laurent came on as sub and skipped his way through the Brighton defence, well Tommy Elphick, to score that last minute winner?
In all honesty both games should have been goalless draws, so what can Tilly do to turn it around as Brushy has hinted at? (Read about that here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=466292)
'The best side to play away' theory that keeps Grant and Christophe in the same side, one I agreed with before Brentford, has to be thrown out the window. Plan A has been totally discredited thanks to M'Voto's injury and it's time for Plan B.
Reading comments after Brentford, my six for Sankofa and seven for McCormack should have been the other way round but I stand by them, Oesi is still vunerable at centre-half in my opinion, while Macca's still giving 100% while the ball is not always running for him, or going over his head!.
In Carl Baker the Hatters have an 8 goal striker of their own with two hat-tricks and in Nicholas Bignall, on loan from Reading, time to take at that club again I think, a player who obviously knows his way to goal.
This will be a real test for Sankofa who had a realatively easy time of it against the Bees strikers who offered little threat and it will come good for Macca, wouldn't surprise me to see him score on Saturday.
So how can I justify dropping Christophe for this match, let's wait for the home game with the Saints.
As I said, time for Plan B, we can't hold a 1-0 lead even with a 'defensive' line-up so we may as well go for it, especially as it seems County like to go forward and will leave gaps in midfield and defence. We have to be bold and have faith in the make-shift back four, and Big Steve, to do the business.
Sawyer and Laurent to start, let's get in at them from the kick-off, who dares wins and all that
Unchanged side then.
Assistant boss Paul Brush commented on why Sunderland loanee centre-half M'Voto returned to Wearside: "The problem with on loan players is that when they are injured they go back to their clubs so Jean is with Sunderland getting treatment right now. We would rather he stayed in and around our squad but that doesn't happen and they are unlikely to let him return until he's 100 per cent fit."
As for Osei, after a tough week for the former Charlton man, he remained philosphical about his part in the first Bees penalty and how the team must return to being 'top of the ocean' again. Add some sardines and we could have our very own Eric Cantona and he's not even French!
He told Blues Player: "We need to cut out the errors and in the current climate maybe cut out a few of the challenges inside the penalty area as well. Players are looking for penalties more now and if they go down then the referee will often give them something. It makes you think twice before making a tackle but we've been unlucky and can't change that now. It's been a tough week but football can change very quickly. One minute you're on top of the world, the next you're bottom of the ocean and we want to be on top of the world again after Saturday."
EEB's Southend United: Mildenhall, Francis, Sankofa, Barrett, Friend, Grant, Sawyer, McCormack, Moussa, Laurent, Barnard.
Subs: Joyce, Herd, Sawyer, O'Keefe, Freedman, Scannell, O'Donavan..
OPPOSITION
The Hatters will be without striker Oli Johnson (ankle injury) and midfielder Matty Mainwaring (broken leg).
However, goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams and on-loan Leeds United defender Paul Huntington are expected to shake off slight knocks picked up in the 2-2 draw away to Hartlepool United Tuesday, where they sacrificed a two goal lead.
13 | Gillingham | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 12 | 11 | +3 | ||||
14 | Southend United | 10 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 11 | +1 | ||||
15 | Millwall | 10 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 11 | -1 | ||||
16 | Stockport County | 10 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 14 | 11 | -2 | ||||
17 | Yeovil Town | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 13 | 10 | -1 | ||||
18 | Carlisle United | 10 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 13 | 10 | -3 | ||||
19 | Exeter City | 10 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 10 | -4 |
Stockport County 2 Hartlepool United 2
Stockport County let a two goal lead slip as they were forced to settle for a point against Hartlepool United at Edgeley Park.
After 16 minutes of scrappy, tentative football, the game - which saw the return of former Hatters boss Chris Turner - suddenly burst into life.
After a neat passing move involving Michael Rose and Carl Baker, James Vincent nudged the ball out to the left for David Poole, and his right-footed was met by the unmarked Nicholas Bignall who headed past Scott Flinders.
The Hartlepool keeper might have been left wondering why he didn't do better after the ball skidded and squirmed past him and into the net, but Bignall didn't mind has he wheeled away celebrating his third goal for County following his loan move from Reading.
And it was another of Ablett's loan signings, Liam Bridcutt, who was involved as County scored for a second time inside a minute.
The Hatters midfield again worked the ball out to the left and Bridcutt took a touch and swung his cross towards the back post for skipper Michael Raynes to rise above Gary Liddle and loop his header over Flinders and into the far corner for his first goal of the season.
Owain Fon Williams may as well have been sat in the Cheadle End as stood between the posts in front of it as County raced into a two goal lead, but he was called into action after 27 minutes when he expertly tipped Adam Boyd's header onto the post diving away to his right.
And it was County who almost put the game to bed in first half stoppage time when Bignall shrugged off Liddle and Peter Hartley to get on the end of Baker's through ball, but he was crowded out as his closed in on goal.
Hartlepool began the second half with boss Turner's stern words still ringing in their ears, and they pulled a goal back six minutes in when Boyd fired high into the net after Bridcutt had lost out to Ritchie Humphreys in midfield.
And they were level 15 minutes from time when Denis Behan poked the ball into the roof of the net from close range after Hartley's knockdown from a Humphreys corner.
Hartlepool looked the more likely to take all three points as the game wore on, but County could have snatched a late winner when Poole snuck in on right-hand side only for Flinders to smother his touch as he looked to shoot.
Stockport County: (4-1-4-1): Fon Williams 7, Mullins 7, Rose 7, Raynes 7, Huntington 7, Bridcutt 7, Vincent 6 (Thompson 6), Poole 6, Tansey 7, Baker 6, Bignall 7.
(Report supplied by Rob Dawson at www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
PREVIOUSLY
Fairly even, something's got to give Saturday, unless it's a draw!
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GROUND
At one end is the large Cheadle End Stand which towers over the rest of the stadium. This stand which was opened at the beginning of the 1995-96 season, is two tiered, covered and all seated.
Opposite, is the Railway End, a former open terrace which was converted to a seating area in 2001. This end is given to away supporters and has a small electric scoreboard situated above it. Both sides are quite old looking stands, that are both covered and all seated.
The Main Stand is only about two thirds the length of the pitch and straddles the half way line. This stand dates back to the late 1930's.
On the other side is the Popular Side Stand, a former covered terrace which is now all seated.
The football club is now owned by the Stockport County Supporters Trust and the ground is shared with Sale Sharks Rugby Club.
Away fans are predominantly housed in the Railway End, where 1,558 supporters can be accommodated. This area is a former terrace that has had seats bolted onto to it, so is not ideal. Furthermore this end has no roof so you are at the mercy of the elements. However, I have been informed that if the weather is bad that some covered seats may be made available in the Popular Side.
(Which happened last season, but it didn't rain and we were not allowed to move to the open end, not enough seats for the Shrimpers at the game leading to upsetting scenes with the stewards. With dodgy weather forecast again let's hope they handle the situation better this season.)
This stand is covered, however, there are a number of supporting pillars which may impede your view. In both areas though the stewards enforce a no standing rule, so you have been warned. (And they keep to it!)
The facilities within the ground are pretty good, with modern toilets, whilst the refreshment kiosk, staffed by friendly faces, offers a good range of food.
For the second succesive match we have a great ground for plane spotters. Last game it was Brentford and Heathrow, this time around many large airplanes fly over the Edgeley Park on their way to landing at nearby Manchester Airport!
(Thanks to www.footballgroundguide.co.uk with thier help for the above.)
Light rain, a bit of a gale, and tempartures down to 14c's. Welcome to Autumn!
REF
The man in the middle is Steve Bratt from West Midlands.
Now aged 30 he started refereeing at 14 years of age and eight years later was promoted to level 3. After only one season stepped up to level 2 where he remained for seven seasons until promoted to the National list of referees in 2006.
Was an assistant referee for the 2006 FA Vase Final, and in 2007 refereed in the Four Nations Semi-Pro Tournament held in Inverness.
After giving away three penalties in two games this is maybe not the official we need, form the Brighton Evening Argus a couple of seasons ago after losing to Crewe 2-1: "They surely spelt his name wrong in the programme. Albion will certainly not forget Steve Bratt in a hurry. The hapless West Midlands referee condemned them to a cruel opening defeat with two controversial penalty decisions."
There was more: "Bratt, in fact, did not award one at all. He relied on an assistant to present Crewe with parity midway through the first half and then, in the last minute, deprived Albion goalscorer Dean Cox. I get bored by managers and players endlessly bleating about referees costing them matches, rather than examining their own shortcomings. On this occasion, however, the Seagulls have every justification to feel hard done by."
Oh dear!
Mr. Bratt gives an interview here: www.refworld.com/referee/129/1/steve-bratt
FIXTURES
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009; (all kick-offs 15.00): Brentford v Swindon, Brighton v MK Dons, Colchester v Huddersfield, Exeter v Hartlepool, Leeds United v Charlton, Millwall v Tranmere, Norwich v Bristol Rovers, Oldham v Yeovil, Southampton v Gillingham, Stockport v Southend, Walsall v Carlisle, Wycombe v Leyton Orient.
Friday, October 9th, 2009; (both kick-offs 19.45): Hartlepool v Brentford, Southend v Southampton.
BET
To Win:
Stockport - 8/5, Draw - 12/5, Southend - 15/8.
By Coach go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW3&id=450407
By Car go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW7&id=450458
PUB AND PIES
For the best places to grab a pint and maybe a spot of lunch, go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW8&id=466076
HISTORY
Stockport County were formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers by members of the Wycliffe Congressional Church, and played their first recorded game in October the next year. Shortly after they merged with a similarly named club, Heaton Norris, and on the 24th May 1890 changed their name to Stockport County to reflect Stockport becoming a County Borough.
The club adopted 'The Hatters' as their nickname, owing to Stockport's history as the centre of the hat-making industry, a nickname that is shared with Luton Town. Stockport supporters generally refer to the team simply as 'County'.
Stockport played in the Lancashire League until 1900. They then gained admission to the Football League Second Division. Unfortunately, the club finished in the bottom three for their first four seasons and at the end of the 1903-04 season they failed to gain re-election.
They then had one season in the Lancashire Combination, and were league champions. They were re-admitted to the Football League for the 1905-06 season, and the club have now been in this league for over a hundred years, although they have had to seek re-election on four further occasions.
On 30 April 2009, Stockport County were placed into administration following a battle to repay creditors. It followed a petition by a creditor to repay a loan of around £300,000. Recently, the club has struggled to repay a tax debt of £250,000 to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
On Friday 12th of June, Leonard Curtis, administrators of Stockport County Football Club, announced that they had agreed terms with the Melrose Consortium for the sale of the club. Paul Reeves, one of the joint administrators commented that: "Whilst a deal has been agreed, it is subject to the Melrose Consortium obtaining landlord approval. This is a positive step to safeguarding the club's future."
The Melrose consortium, consisiting of 'a group of businessmen with a sporting background' headed by ex Manchester City player Jim Melrose said: "We look forward to developing a fruitful relationship with Sale Sharks and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council which will provide the basis for a successful future for Stockport County Football Club." The immediate aims of the Melrose Consortium are to "...guarantee football at Edgeley Park next season and to secure the services of redundant manager, and Stockport legend, Jim Gannon".
Gannon however took over as manager at Scottish Premier League side Motherwell, giving County fans cause to worry that he'd be poaching County's young players in the forthcoming weeks. Gary Ablett, former manager of Liverpool reserves, was appointed manager on 8 July 2009 following talks with the new owners.