Official Match Thread Bradford City v Southend United

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we are the fifth away game of the 2020/21 season and Mark Molesley’s 5th away game since he was appointed Manager of the Mighty Shrimpers.

Our fifth away match is against Bradford City




It is now time for ALL of us to get behind Mark and the team whether you are at The Utilita Energy Stadium in spirit, listening on the radio, or listening/watching on ifollow.

Mark Molesley’s Southend United League Two Away Team against Bradford City



The Utilita Energy Stadium is ready for action at 7.00pm Tuesday 3rd November 2020, it looks like we are going to have an overcast evening with a gentle breeze and the chance of some light rain showers





The weather forecast for this evening at The Utilita Energy Stadium



Current League away record after 4 away games

Won 0
Drawn 1
Lost 3
Goals scored 3
Goals conceded 8

League Positions Last Season

22nd (2019/20) League One Southend United (Relegated)
9th (2019/20) League Two Bradford City

League Positions Current Season

16th (2020/21) League Two Bradford City
24th (2020/21) League Two Southend United

Recent League Positions Change



Previous five Meetings

Bradford City 0-4 Southend United (L1 19/01/19 Att. 15,517)
Southend United 2-0 Bradford City (L1 18/08/18 Att. 6,295)
Bradford City 0-2 Southend United (L1 28/04/18 Att. 19,960)
Southend United 1-2 Bradford City (L1 16/12/17 Att. 6,097)
Southend United 3-0 Bradford City (L1 19/11/16 Att. 7,005)

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 13
Draws: 13
Bradford City Wins: 15


Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Bradford City

Bradford City Manager Stuart McCall talks to their OS ahead of the game against Southend United

Bradford City Manager Stuart McCall​

Stuart McCall has called for his players to make sure of a “good week” after the disappointment of recent results - ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Southend United.

The Bantams enter the Utilita Energy Stadium clash on the back of three-straight defeats in the space of eight days, last week.

But the City manager is keen to see a response from his side and has noted a fast start as being key.

He said: “We are not denying our poor form and are disappointed at having played three and lost three in just over a week.

“We had a bad week last week but now have to make sure this one is a good one, and that starts tomorrow.

“We know we need to start properly and the main thing is trying to go ahead in games, because we have had seven at home and have not scored first in any of them.

“We need to be more creative and more clinical - all over the field - to give us more or a chance of winning games.”

“I want to play with composure and quality tomorrow, and I think the team we are putting out will have a lot of that.”

While insisting the Bantams will not overlook any of their opponents and treat each game equally, McCall admitted a victory is important against the Shrimpers.

Mark Molesely’s men sit bottom of Sky Bet League Two having failed to win any of their opening 10 matches, and the City chief knows his side must start picking up points, and is aiming to do so tomorrow.

He added: “If we want to get back up the league table it is a game we have to be looking to win.

“We need to start putting smiles on faces, because people look at their football teams to encourage them - through times like this - but we have not been able to do that of late.

“We are treating this game as we do with every other game, in terms of our approach.

“Southend have seemed to be losing by the odd goal, at times, and we are fully focussed on how we are going about the game and how we want to play it.

“We need to make sure we start well in the game which, given our recent performances, is what we are focussing on the most.”

Full text can be found here:-
Link

Southend United

Mark Molesley speaks to the OS ahead of tonight’s game against Bradford City

Mark Molesley Southend United’s Manager​

Mark Molesley’s pre-match thoughts on the midweek trip to Bradford City in Sky Bet League Two.

On having another game in quick succession…

“The next opportunity is always the biggest and it’s a chance for us to put a few things right.

“We’re looking for that opportunity as quick as we can.

“You can look at it two ways. One, could we have more time on the training field and more time for a couple of players to come back or no, let’s meet the challenge head on and get that first win, and we’re looking at the latter of the two.”

On what needs to be better to get that win…

“We need to be a little bit braver in both boxes and take a little bit more responsibility, and then have more confidence in those areas as well.

“To get that confidence you need that win. We’re going to be trying everything we can.

“We’re an honest group here, a hard working group here, and we’re always looking to improve. We have to stick with that attitude and believe in ourselves.

“We are getting better and sometimes the performances don’t always show the work that they [the players] are putting in.

“Ultimately, long term, we will see the fruits of that. Yeah, it is tough times at the moment but we brutally analyse ourselves and continue striving to improve.”

On the opposition…

“Bradford need no introduction, what a big football club. We’ve had them watched and they’re another team that have probably played some very good football but not had the results to show for it.

“They’ve got experienced players, an experienced manager and it’s going to be a tough place to go.

“It’s a challenge we have to rise to. It’s the nature of this league; it’s tough, robust and the games come thick and fast and we’ve got to meet these challenges head on.”

On whether it’s the most testing time he’s had…

“It depends which way you look at it.

“One could be that this is the best time. It’s what is making you learn quicker and this is the bit where, if you want to be a manager, you have to stand up and be counted.

“You’ve got to keep being positive, keep believing in the way you work and the job hasn’t changed since the day we walked in. It’s about working hard.

“We know results aren’t what we want at the moment but you’ve got to believe in yourself, keep battling and wanting to prove the doubters wrong and then good things can happen. That’s the attitude we’re going to have here.

“We know we’ve got to improve. We’re honest enough to know that, but we’ve also got to show that strong mentality now.”

Full text can be found here:-
Link

Mark Molesley talks to the Chris Phillips at the ECHO before travelling to Bradford City

Mark Molesley Southend United’s Manager​

Southend United boss Mark Molesley determined to prove doubters wrong

Mark Molesley proved the doubters wrong as a player, now he is setting his sights on doing the same as manager of Southend United.

Molesley - whose side head to Bradford City on Tuesday night - has yet to guide the Shrimpers to victory this season.

But the 39-year-old will be calling upon the battling characteristics he showed as a player as he bids to put things right.

“I’ve been written off many times in my own career and I made it as a pro late as a player,” said Molesley.

“You have to believe in yourself, you have to keep battling and keep wanting to prove the doubters wrong.

“If you do that then good things can happen. That’s the attitude we’ve got but we know we have to improve.”

Blues, who sit bottom of the League Two table, were beaten 2-0 by Port Vale at the weekend.

But Molesley will not be shying away from the challenge in front of him.

“This is what makes you learn quicker and if you want to be a manager then you have to stand up and be counted,” said Molesley, “You have to keep believing in the way you work too.

“We know the results aren’t what we want, but through hardships come good

times at the end of it.”

And Molesley can again call upon experiences from his own playing career where that is concerned.

“At 28 I had an extensive injury and had the opportunity to retire but I had a third bout of surgery instead,” said the Blues boss “I fractured my foot in multiple places and had extensive surgery but I carried on playing until I was 34 or 35.

“If you believe it and feel like you can get there then you can.

“I wanted to prove everyone wrong and that’s still my mentality and attitude now.”

Full text can be found here:-
Link

The Big Preview



Bradford City vs Southend United​

Overview

Southend United will be looking to put a tough October behind them this evening as they start November with a trip to The Utilita Energy Stadium to take on Bradford City.

Blues will be travelling to somewhere that has been a happy hunting ground in recent visits with Southend’s last two appearances in West Yorkshire garnering six points and six goals.

Mark Molesley and his squad will be hoping that history can repeat itself once again against The Bantams as Southend look to get that elusive first league win of the season.

Form

Blues will be glad to see the back of October. Having started the month off positively with deserved draws against Crawley and Exeter, Southend have since lost the last five in a row.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Port Vale followed up defeats against Oldham, Tranmere, Salford and Cheltenham which has left Blues bottom of the League Two table.

Bradford come into tonight also short of form having failed to score in any of their last three league games which has seen them lose to Newport, Bolton and Barrow.

Last Meeting

Saturday 19th January 2019
Bradford City 0-4 Southend United
Cox 2’, Mantom 26’, Humphrys 54’, 73’

Stephen Humphrys scored twice on his Southend debut as Blues romped to a 4-0 win against Bradford City the last time these two sides met in early 2019.

The Fulham-loanee scored twice in the second-half to add to Simon Cox and Sam Mantom’s goal of the season contenders from the first-half to secure Southend a huge three points.

From The Boss

“We need to be a little bit braver in both boxes and take a little bit more responsibility, and then have more confidence in those areas as well.

“To get that confidence you need that win. We’re going to be trying everything we can.

“We’re an honest group here, a hard working group here, and we’re always looking to improve. We have to stick with that attitude and believe in ourselves.

“We are getting better and sometimes the performances don’t always show the work that they [the players] are putting in.

Blues Team News

Mark Molesley will decide at the last possible moment whether Bournemouth-loanee Kyle Taylor or winger Terrell Egbri will travel with the squad to Bradford this evening.

Both were forced off at the weekend against Port Vale with Taylor suffering with a tight hamstring, while Egbri went off with an ankle problem, as both now face a race to be fit this evening.

Simeon Akinola trained with the squad yesterday as he continues to ramp up his recovery, along with John White and Alan McCormack who are all pushing for a return.

Bradford Dangerman

With top scorer Lee Novak facing a late fitness test, it would be remiss of Blues to look beyond the experienced Clayton Donaldson as Bradford’s dangerman this evening.

The Jamaican striker has scored close to 150 league goals from spells with the likes of Brentford and Birmingham, so he knows how to find the back of the net.

The 36-year-old has been leading the line for The Bantams in the last two games and has two goals to his name so far this season having scored against Wolves u21s and Mansfield Town.

Ref Watch

Tonight will see Marc Edwards taking charge at The Utilita Energy Stadium, being assisted by Stephen Wade and Alistair Nelson, while Sebastian Stockbridge sits in as the fourth official.

Edwards has clocked up seven games so far this season, issuing a total of 28 yellow cards and no reds to date, with his last outing being Blackpool’s 1-0 home win against MK Dons.

This campaign is only Edwards’ second in the Football League and tonight will be the first time that he has officiated a game involving either Southend or Bradford.

iFollow Blues

With fans still unable to attend matches in person, Blues fans can watch tonight’s clash with Bradford by picking up a Match Pass for iFollow Blues for £10.

Overseas supporters can pick up a pass for just £7 with the pass allowing you to catch the game on your laptop, computer, tablet or mobile device.

For more information on how you can get your Match Pass and ensure you miss none of the action up in West Yorkshire on iFollow Blues, click here

Full text can be found here:-
Link

Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Bradford City Team

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Only 5 subs.....

 

[Medway Blue]

Only 5 subs.....

Yep. K. Taylor not fit obviously, and I'm guessing Kenny Coker was needed for the U18s....but no R. Taylor?

 

[Chapperz]

So we line up like:

Oxley
Bwomono Hobson Lennon Clifford
Olayinka Dieng Demetriou
ANG Acquah Goodship
​

I wonder what I midfield 3 will look like. Probably Dieng and Demetriou holding with Olayinka more attacking. Otherwise can see Acquah being isolate again, especially against three CBs of Bradford.

Lets hope plan A works as there looks like minimal options on the bench.

 

[Holy Joe]

Yep. K. Taylor not fit obviously, and I'm guessing Kenny Coker was needed for the U18s....but no R. Taylor?

Kenny has missed u18 games to be on the bench for us this season

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Come on lads...put in a shift and get a result

 

[dusterman]

Do you reckon Emile being on the teamsheet scares the wits out of their fans the way seeing Donaldson in their team frightens me?

 

[kentblues]

So we line up like:

Oxley
Bwomono Hobson Lennon Clifford
Olayinka Dieng Demetriou
ANG Acquah Goodship
​

I wonder what I midfield 3 will look like. Probably Dieng and Demetriou holding with Olayinka more attacking. Otherwise can see Acquah being isolate again, especially against three CBs of Bradford.

Lets hope plan A works as there looks like minimal options on the bench.

Very difficult for Olyanka to play a 10 role in support when there is only a 3 man midfield. And either ANG or Goodship need to get close to Acquah.

I can live in hope that this is in fact a

Oxley
Bwomono Hobson Lennon Clifford
Demetriou Olayinka Dieng ANG
Acquah Goodship

But what do I know..

BTW Olyanka can then play top of a diamond.

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Do you reckon Emile being on the teamsheet scares the wits out of their fans the way seeing Donaldson in their team frightens me?

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....nah

 

[Cricko]

Come on lads...put in a shift and get a result

I assume you must already be in the pub then.

 

[blueblueblue]

I did say we'll lose 2 or 3 nil, without Taylor, god help us, he's the best I've seen from a dog ****e team this season.

 

[tottenham541]

It’s about time Acquah started to put himself about and scare a few centre backs, come on step up

 

[Chapperz]

Very difficult for Olyanka to play a 10 role in support when there is only a 3 man midfield. And either ANG or Goodship need to get close to Acquah.

I can live in hope that this is in fact a

Oxley
Bwomono Hobson Lennon Clifford
Demetriou Olayinka Dieng ANG
Acquah Goodship

But what do I know..

BTW Olyanka can then play top of a diamond.

You could be right with that lineup. I think Demetriou will be in the middle and Olayinka will be on the right if so. The teamsheet is normally posted in some sort of formation order.

 

[GBJ]

Clayton Donaldson? **** sake ?

 

[Harry Bullocks]

I assume you must already be in the pub then.

You see right through me Cricko......???????

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Ok, Come on you Shrimpers

 

[Ricey]

We are going to get spanked!

 

[East Devon Shrimper]

Noticed the graph at the start of thread - looks like we are flatlining. That moment before expiry. We need a pulse tonight for sure.