Another week and another game against a team we've never played before - this time we're visiting Hayes Lane to play Bromley FC on Boxing Day.
For some reason, BT Sport have chosen this game to be featured live which means the kick off is delayed until 5.20pm, and despite the late kick off, live TV and disappointing season so far it says something about the size and loyalty of our fan base that we've sold out the 800 ticket allocation.
The Lilywhites are managed by Andy Woodman, who played 17 games on loan for us back at the turn of the century and he's doing a pretty good job having guided them to 4th place in the league. They've also won every game in December so far, which doesn't bode well for us.
Their squad is made up of the usual blend of youth an experience - no ex-shrimpers, but a couple of ex-Col Ewe (goalkeeper Mark Cousins and defender Omar Sowunmi) and ex-Gills midfielder Billy Bingham who we've faced a few times. There are also some well known local non-league names like Michael Cheek, who played for Daggers, Braintree and Chelmsford, and is Bromley's top scorer this season.
At the time of writing this preview, there has been no formal communication from the club as to whether the embargo has been lifted, so being the typical Southend fan I'll be pessimistic and assume it hasn't been and that Kev and the gang will be working with the same resources as against Dorking - with the probably addition of Steve Arnold who hopefully will have recovered from his concussion by Boxing Day.
So, who would you pick to start for the Boxing Day bonanza and what do you predict the result will be?
For some reason, BT Sport have chosen this game to be featured live which means the kick off is delayed until 5.20pm, and despite the late kick off, live TV and disappointing season so far it says something about the size and loyalty of our fan base that we've sold out the 800 ticket allocation.
The Lilywhites are managed by Andy Woodman, who played 17 games on loan for us back at the turn of the century and he's doing a pretty good job having guided them to 4th place in the league. They've also won every game in December so far, which doesn't bode well for us.
Their squad is made up of the usual blend of youth an experience - no ex-shrimpers, but a couple of ex-Col Ewe (goalkeeper Mark Cousins and defender Omar Sowunmi) and ex-Gills midfielder Billy Bingham who we've faced a few times. There are also some well known local non-league names like Michael Cheek, who played for Daggers, Braintree and Chelmsford, and is Bromley's top scorer this season.
At the time of writing this preview, there has been no formal communication from the club as to whether the embargo has been lifted, so being the typical Southend fan I'll be pessimistic and assume it hasn't been and that Kev and the gang will be working with the same resources as against Dorking - with the probably addition of Steve Arnold who hopefully will have recovered from his concussion by Boxing Day.
So, who would you pick to start for the Boxing Day bonanza and what do you predict the result will be?
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