Torquay United v Southend United
Posted: 18 Feb 2011, 00:11
**** sake, second time lucky, got an hour into doing this then **** ing deleted it all by hitting backspace!
So, once again, here we go...
Plainmoor
Saturday 19th February 2011
KO: 3:00pm
Following three league wins on the spin against teams at the wrong end of the league, we welcome Southend United FC to our place on Saturday with the Shrimpers below us by only a single place. There was no news from Bucks at today s press conference regarding the squad and with Nicholson having recovered from his illness, the manager once again has the luxury of some difficult selections. My feeling is that he will restore Nicholson to the starting line-up, since Southend will inevitably pose a greater goal threat than any of the last three teams we have played. The big question mark hangs over the head of goalkeeper Danny Potter. My feeling is that, with the state of the pitch, Bucks will stick with the more reliable kicker.
The ground staff will have to pull another blinder to keep the pitch in any sort of playable condition for this match, but if no significant amount of rain falls between now and the match, it should certainly be playable.
For those who wish to get the thoughts of the visiting fans, go to:
http://www.shrimperzone.com/vb/forumdis ... -Chit-Chat
Last 5 seasons
2005/06 – League One – 1st Place – 82 pts – Promoted as Champions
2006/07 Championship – 22nd Place – 42 pts – Relegated to League One
2007/08 – League One – 6th Place – 76 pts – Lost in playoffs
2008/09 – League One – 8th Place – 71 pts
2009/10 – League One – 23rd Place – 43 pts – Relegated to League Two
As we can see, Southend can t really decide how good they are. A brief flirtation with the Championship was a step too far, despite their having available to them the services of Freddie Eastwood. Both he and Jamal Campbell-Ryce were sold in the summer of 2007 for a reported £1.8m. This money allowed then manager Steve Tilson to strengthen the squad sufficiently to push his team to the League One playoffs, where they held Doncaster Rovers to a goalless draw in the first leg, before being roundly thrashed 5-1 in the second leg. The following season saw a very creditable 8th placed finish but then the wheels came off. Off field rumblings manifested themselves in a 2010 half of the 2009/10 season which produced just a single solitary win for Southend. They were relegated and the maverick chairman Ron Martin (who had been the source of a great deal of the consternation (not strictly the correct word, but common usage will permit it) which caused the relegation) placed on gardening leave Steve Tilson, bringing to an end his topsy-turvy seven year reign as manager. He was duly replaced by Paul Sturrock, who is the incumbent to this day.
Head to Head
Torquay wins -25 (2 in FA Cup)
Draws – 23 (2 in FA Cup)
Southend wins – 31 (4 in FA Cup)
As we can see, the history between these clubs is long and even. This suggests that we have always been fairly evenly matched, both in terms of division and on a match day.
Our very first encounter with SUFC was way back on September 24th 1927 when they beat us 1-0 at their place with a second half goal. I was there and I haven t forgiven them since! Our first recorded victory over the Shrimpers was at Plainmoor on May 4th 1929 then TUFC won by the odd goal in three, all scored in the second half. Other notable matches between these two sides include a match from Monday September 8th 1929 when TUFC lost 6-3 at Roots Hall (if indeed it was that ground then). Avenging this was the match of Saturday 10th September 1932 which saw us beat them 8-1 at home.
Most recently of course, we recorded our first non-win this season at their place when they beat us 2-1. I didn t go, but I do recall them scoring two belters before the break, then seeing us come out and take them to pieces second half, but fall just short of earning a deserved point.
Form (last 6 games)
Away – D L W W W W
Collated – D W W W L W
That is one mighty impressive road record (as a caricatured Texan might say). Like us, Southend are on a hot streak, although they haven t kept a clean sheet in three matches. It has been 20 games since they last recorded a no score draw, so whatever William Hill are offering, it s not enough.
A very creditable 3-2 defeat of high flying (over achieving?) Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night showed their resilience. WWFC looked to have salvaged a point when former Gull Scotty Rendell slotted home a spot kick right on the stroke of 90 minutes, but unperturbed, Southend duly went straight up the other end and stuck in the winner. Among other note worthy results this season, they have beaten Oxford United 2-1 from a goal down. Rotherham away 2-1 and at home 1-0, with managers son and another former yellow, Blair Sturrock scoring the decisive goal in both matches. Also held Wolves 1-1 away in the Carling Cup until the third minute of injury time in the second half of extra time (where do you get 3 added mins from a 15 minute half of extra time?)
Probable line up
This is the team which beat WWFC on Tuesday night
• 24 Evans
• 02 Clohessy
• 03 Gilbert
• 15 Phillips
• 23 Barker
• 07 Grant
• 08 Easton
• 12 Hall (Sawyer 90+3)
• 31 Ferdinand
• 10 Corr (Crawford 76)
• 21 Sturrock
Players to watch.
Top scorer Corr has just 10 league goals this season, but Southend s attacking strength is in its depth. Seven players, including Corr, have registered more than one league goal this term. This includes former Oxford player Jack Midson. We all know about the hold up play of which Blair Sturrock is capable.
Prediction.
My hope is for a minimum of 7 from the next 9 points available. I think, despite their relatively similar league positions and the fact that this match is at home, the two points will be dropped on Saturday against Southend, rather than on Tuesday away to Cheltenham. On that basis, I m going to say a thoroughly entertaining 1-1, with the condition of the pitch never truly allowing either team to shine their brightest, but a decent performance none the less.
Nick, I hope this comes somewhere near meeting with your approval.
Matt.
N.B - As mentioned on another thread, we are due to have Sian Massey officiating this one, so it's an excellent chance for the lads to bring down any ironing they may have left over, she can crack on with that while brushing up on the laws of the game. :devil:
So, once again, here we go...
Plainmoor
Saturday 19th February 2011
KO: 3:00pm
Following three league wins on the spin against teams at the wrong end of the league, we welcome Southend United FC to our place on Saturday with the Shrimpers below us by only a single place. There was no news from Bucks at today s press conference regarding the squad and with Nicholson having recovered from his illness, the manager once again has the luxury of some difficult selections. My feeling is that he will restore Nicholson to the starting line-up, since Southend will inevitably pose a greater goal threat than any of the last three teams we have played. The big question mark hangs over the head of goalkeeper Danny Potter. My feeling is that, with the state of the pitch, Bucks will stick with the more reliable kicker.
The ground staff will have to pull another blinder to keep the pitch in any sort of playable condition for this match, but if no significant amount of rain falls between now and the match, it should certainly be playable.
For those who wish to get the thoughts of the visiting fans, go to:
http://www.shrimperzone.com/vb/forumdis ... -Chit-Chat
Last 5 seasons
2005/06 – League One – 1st Place – 82 pts – Promoted as Champions
2006/07 Championship – 22nd Place – 42 pts – Relegated to League One
2007/08 – League One – 6th Place – 76 pts – Lost in playoffs
2008/09 – League One – 8th Place – 71 pts
2009/10 – League One – 23rd Place – 43 pts – Relegated to League Two
As we can see, Southend can t really decide how good they are. A brief flirtation with the Championship was a step too far, despite their having available to them the services of Freddie Eastwood. Both he and Jamal Campbell-Ryce were sold in the summer of 2007 for a reported £1.8m. This money allowed then manager Steve Tilson to strengthen the squad sufficiently to push his team to the League One playoffs, where they held Doncaster Rovers to a goalless draw in the first leg, before being roundly thrashed 5-1 in the second leg. The following season saw a very creditable 8th placed finish but then the wheels came off. Off field rumblings manifested themselves in a 2010 half of the 2009/10 season which produced just a single solitary win for Southend. They were relegated and the maverick chairman Ron Martin (who had been the source of a great deal of the consternation (not strictly the correct word, but common usage will permit it) which caused the relegation) placed on gardening leave Steve Tilson, bringing to an end his topsy-turvy seven year reign as manager. He was duly replaced by Paul Sturrock, who is the incumbent to this day.
Head to Head
Torquay wins -25 (2 in FA Cup)
Draws – 23 (2 in FA Cup)
Southend wins – 31 (4 in FA Cup)
As we can see, the history between these clubs is long and even. This suggests that we have always been fairly evenly matched, both in terms of division and on a match day.
Our very first encounter with SUFC was way back on September 24th 1927 when they beat us 1-0 at their place with a second half goal. I was there and I haven t forgiven them since! Our first recorded victory over the Shrimpers was at Plainmoor on May 4th 1929 then TUFC won by the odd goal in three, all scored in the second half. Other notable matches between these two sides include a match from Monday September 8th 1929 when TUFC lost 6-3 at Roots Hall (if indeed it was that ground then). Avenging this was the match of Saturday 10th September 1932 which saw us beat them 8-1 at home.
Most recently of course, we recorded our first non-win this season at their place when they beat us 2-1. I didn t go, but I do recall them scoring two belters before the break, then seeing us come out and take them to pieces second half, but fall just short of earning a deserved point.
Form (last 6 games)
Away – D L W W W W
Collated – D W W W L W
That is one mighty impressive road record (as a caricatured Texan might say). Like us, Southend are on a hot streak, although they haven t kept a clean sheet in three matches. It has been 20 games since they last recorded a no score draw, so whatever William Hill are offering, it s not enough.
A very creditable 3-2 defeat of high flying (over achieving?) Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night showed their resilience. WWFC looked to have salvaged a point when former Gull Scotty Rendell slotted home a spot kick right on the stroke of 90 minutes, but unperturbed, Southend duly went straight up the other end and stuck in the winner. Among other note worthy results this season, they have beaten Oxford United 2-1 from a goal down. Rotherham away 2-1 and at home 1-0, with managers son and another former yellow, Blair Sturrock scoring the decisive goal in both matches. Also held Wolves 1-1 away in the Carling Cup until the third minute of injury time in the second half of extra time (where do you get 3 added mins from a 15 minute half of extra time?)
Probable line up
This is the team which beat WWFC on Tuesday night
• 24 Evans
• 02 Clohessy
• 03 Gilbert
• 15 Phillips
• 23 Barker
• 07 Grant
• 08 Easton
• 12 Hall (Sawyer 90+3)
• 31 Ferdinand
• 10 Corr (Crawford 76)
• 21 Sturrock
Players to watch.
Top scorer Corr has just 10 league goals this season, but Southend s attacking strength is in its depth. Seven players, including Corr, have registered more than one league goal this term. This includes former Oxford player Jack Midson. We all know about the hold up play of which Blair Sturrock is capable.
Prediction.
My hope is for a minimum of 7 from the next 9 points available. I think, despite their relatively similar league positions and the fact that this match is at home, the two points will be dropped on Saturday against Southend, rather than on Tuesday away to Cheltenham. On that basis, I m going to say a thoroughly entertaining 1-1, with the condition of the pitch never truly allowing either team to shine their brightest, but a decent performance none the less.
Nick, I hope this comes somewhere near meeting with your approval.
Matt.
N.B - As mentioned on another thread, we are due to have Sian Massey officiating this one, so it's an excellent chance for the lads to bring down any ironing they may have left over, she can crack on with that while brushing up on the laws of the game. :devil: