The frequency with which I need to pen these pre-match threads seems to be getting quicker and quicker which reflects, I think, the rate at which we're hurtling towards the end of the season. The win at FGR and the point against a decent Salford point were very welcome, but the injuries seem to be picking up at the same rate that we're accumulating points and that is alarming.
I think given the circumstances, most Southend fans would be pleased to come away from the "Jonny-Rocks Stadium" with anything at all, in fact many would probably be pleased with a decent performance, a narrow loss and no further additions to the queue for the treatment table.
Perhaps the biggest conundrum for MM in this game is who to put between the sticks - Oxley will not feature, before Saturday's game it was all about that Bass (a distant relation of Garry Nelson and trained by John Keeley) but the plaudits after the game were taken by young Harry Seaden (he's one of our own). It's not clear whether Bass will be fit enough to start on Tuesday (one would assume not if he couldn't limp through the second half on Saturday), whether yet another emergency loan 'keeper will be brought in, or whether MM will keep faith with young Harry.
The back four would seem to pick itself now, whether he chooses to freshen up the midfield remains to be seen - 3 games in 7 days would seem to be a heavy workload and I can't imagine that Demi won't be badgering MM for a start by the way he constantly chirps at the ref when on the pitch.
Akinola's injury is a bit of a worry too and he may not make the starting XI on Tuesday, perhaps opening the door for Holmes, ANG or even Goodship to come back into the reckoning. Now that Ranger seems to be injured after the briefest of cameo appearances, young Emile seems to be nailed on to continue his education against the giants of Cheltenham Town.
So there we have it, those are my thoughts but who do you think MM will pick to start and what will the end result be?