Official Match Thread Colchester United v Southend United (The Big Essex Derby)

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com



So here we are the twenty second away game of the 2020/21 season and Phil Brown’s 2nd away game since he was appointed Manager of the Mighty Shrimpers.

Our 22nd away match is against Colchester United


This big match is our 2nd from last away game of the season and possibly our last few games in the Football League for a while.

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

Phil Brown’s Southend United League Two Away Team against Colchester United



The JobServe Community Stadium is ready for action at 19.00 hrs Tuesday 20th April 2021. It looks like we will have some sunny intervals with a light breeze for this evening’s game.



The weather forecast for this evening at the JobServe Community Stadium

Current League away record after 21 away games

Won 4
Drawn 9
Lost 8
Goals scored 11
Goals conceded 26

League Positions Last Season

22nd (2019/20) League One Southend United (Relegated)
6th (2019/20) League Two Colchester United

League Positions Current Season

22nd (2020/21) League Two Colchester United
23rd (2020/21) League Two Southend United

Recent League Positions Change

Previous Meetings

Southend United 2-0 Colchester United (L2 26/12/20 Att. 0 Covid)
Colchester United 6-1 Southend United (JPTGr 10/11/20 Att. 0 Covid)
Colchester United 2-0 Southend United (JPTGr 09/10/18 Att. 1,516)
Southend United 2-0 Colchester United (JPTGr 07/11/17 Att. 2,781)
Southend United 3-0 Colchester United (L2 06/02/16 Att. 10,279)

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 34
Draws: 17
Colchester United Wins: 30

Current Form

Colchester United L D D L W
Southend United W L D D D



Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views

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Colchester United

Hayden Mullins Colchester United’s Interim Head Coach (and Shepherd) talks to the Gazette before the game with Southend United

Hayden Mullins Colchester United’s Interim Head Coach (Shepherd)
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"Baa De Baa, Baa, Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa, Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa, Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa, Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa, Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa, Baa De Baa, Baa, Baa."

​

Translation:-

Colchester United interim head coach Hayden Mullins admits focus will be key for his players as they prepare for their biggest derby match in years.

The U’s host Southend United tonight in a crucial Essex derby, with both sides striving for a victory to help boost their League Two survival hopes.

Colchester head into the game against their county neighbours sitting six points above the relegation zone – and their visitors Southend – with four matches remaining.

The U’s were boosted by their 2-1 win over Walsall at the weekend and boss Mullins wants them to take the confidence gained from that game into tonight’s clash, at the JobServe Community Stadium (kick-off 7pm).

Mullins said: “I’m sure it’ll be built up but what we speak about in the dressing room and how we want to keep it and the messages that we want to give the boys, we’ll keep them focused on what we need to do – that’s the main thing.

“It’s a performance and a result against Walsall that we’ll have to roll into Tuesday.

“We’ve got to take the confidence into Tuesday and build on this and we will do.

“We’ll refocus and get them ready to go.

“We just try and focus the players.

“It’s been tough over recent weeks when results don’t go for you.

“We started off with two draws and the Bolton draw was a very good result, I thought.

“With conceding a late equaliser against Barrow, you’ve got to remember how that might feel in the dressing room and then the Oldham game.

“We spoke about being a group and helping each other through it, forget the outside talk as it were and try and pull each other through on the pitch.

“I think they showed that (against Walsall) and that was one of the highlights, on the day.”

Mike Folivi is hoping to keep his place tonight after being recalled to his starting line-up for the Walsall game, last weekend.

The former Watford youngster marked his first start for nearly six weeks with a crucial goal, his first for the U’s since last December.

Folivi impressed alongside Frank Nouble in attack and boss Mullins was delighted with his performance.

Mullins said: “Mike is a goalscorer – he wants to score goals and he’s a threat.

“He wants to be in and around the box which I knew so when we decided that we were going to go with two up top, it was a natural option.

“I think he’s a player who’s built on scoring goals and when we get him in, we know he’s going to be a threat in and around the box and thankfully, he scored.

“We looked a threat on the counter attack – Mike looked a threat coming inside off the left-hand channel and Noubs (Frank Nouble) gives you everything and has been massive for us.

“Noah was another one who had a very good game and I think we looked a threat.

“Even at times when we had to ride out spells and defend, we were still creating chances.”

Link to full interview:-
Link

Southend United

Phil Brown speaks to ifollow ahead of this evening’s game against Colchester United

Phil Brown Southend United’s Manager during his interview​

Link to full ifollow interview
Link

Phil Brown speaks to OS ahead of this evening’s game against Colchester United

Phil Brown Southend United’s Manager​

Phil Brown says Tuesday's Essex Derby away against Colchester United is the biggest game in the club’s history.

After results at the weekend, and the U’s moving six points clear of Blues from the relegation zone, the Southend manager is under no illusions what this game means.

Brown said his side must show they want it more than the opposition, and he will select his team with that in mind.

"In our history, it’s going to be the biggest challenge and the biggest game," said Brown.

"The game on Saturday wasn’t the result that we were looking for so Colchester have put a bit of space between us again.

"I’m going to say it, regardless of whether you’re going to ask the question about a must-win situation, it is a must-win situation.

"We’re going into that in the full knowledge that we must win four games.

"If we can get to 50 points it brings a whole new scenario to the ballpark. I’m not convinced everyone above us in the 40’s are safe, but they might be in a better situation than we are that’s for sure, so psychologically they’re going into games thinking if they win they might be safe. Bottom line is, we need to win this game or it could be the end of a great era.

"We’ve spoken about it. We came in on Sunday, we prepared for the game straight away after the Exeter draw and straight into a training session with the players that didn’t play, and the others did a warm down session.

"I got to grips with them straight away and I was buoyed by the performance on Saturday.

"The players were very committed [on Saturday], very focussed and yes we did finish on the back foot a little bit but it was to be expected because they [Exeter] are fighting for something.

"The word fight is something that has to be on show tomorrow night. We just have to show that we want it more than Colchester. That’s the only way we’re going to win the game of football.

“They’ve got equally as much talent as we’ve got, they’ve got equally as much physique and height, set-pieces and all those small things that go into a big melting pot to win a game of football.

“We’ve got to show our supporters that we want it more than them and I’ve got to put a team out that’s going to show that.”

Full text can be found here:-
Link

Phil Brown speaks to Chris Phillips at The Echo ahead of this evening’s game against Colchester United

Phil Brown still believes Southend United's relegation fight is in their own hands

Doing battle - Southend United take on Colchester United on Tuesday night​

Phil Brown believes Southend United's relegation fight is still in their own hands.

The Shrimpers head into Tuesday's clash with Colchester United sitting six points behind the U's with just four games to go.

But Brown feels Blues have not been affected by Colchester getting back to winning ways against Walsall at the weekend.

"Colchester winning didn’t burst by bubble at all," said Brown.

"What blew it up to begin with was how the players have approached everything, including my training regime compared to the previous one because a lot of changes have gone on there.

"We can only control what we do and of course this game is a six pointer.

"It’s still in our hands in my opinion but it’s must win, deal with that pressure.

"I’ve got to and the players have to as well, end of story."

And Brown still believes it is the biggest game in Blues' history.

"It’s the biggest challenge and the biggest game," said the 61-year-old.

"It’s a must win situation and I think we must win all four of the games we have left.

"If we can get to 50 points it will be a different scenario.

"I’m not convinced everyone above us in the 40s is safe but we need to win this game or it’s the end of a great era."

But Brown is still fighting hard to turn things around.

"The players have been fully versed and I was buoyed by the performance on Saturday," said Brown.

"The players were very committed and very focused on the job in hand.

"Now we have to show we want it more than Colchester because that’s the only way we can win the game.

"They’ve got as much talent as we have but we have to show the supporters we want it more than Colchester.

"I’ve got to put a team out that will show that."

Brown has won all three of his previous Essex derbies and is keen to keep that run going.

"I’ve got some good memories from playing Colchester but I'd love more," said Brown.

"Will it be about beautiful football? I’m not bothered, it’s just about the three points.

"Those three points would look like six for us after the game and it will look like nine for Colchester if they win because that would be the distance between us.

"That’s one thing we have to avoid but we have to get on the front foot and be more positive about ourselves in the final third."

Full text can be found here:-
Link

The Big Preview

Colchester United vs Southend United

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Overview

There have been 77 competitive meetings between Southend United and Colchester United since their first clash in 1950 but the 78th edition of this Essex rivalry is arguably the biggest of the lot.

It’s a game that, simply put, Blues cannot afford to lose. Defeat for Phil Brown’s side would leave them nine points adrift of Colchester and safety with just nine more points to play for.

And with the Blues boss himself describing the game as the biggest in the club’s history in the build-up, there is no hiding from the magnitude of the occasion at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Form

Saturday’s draw against promotion-chasing Exeter was Blues’ third draw in succession, following on from the draws with Crawley and Morecambe.

Southend have become quite the draw specialists with nine of their last 15 games ending in a share of the spoils, and in their last six matches Blues have won one, drawn four and lost just once.

Colchester’s win over Walsall on Saturday was just their second win of 2021 and their only win from their last six which includes three draws and two defeats.

Last League Meeting

Saturday 26th December 2020

Southend United 2-0 Colchester United

Akinola 10’, Dieng 22’

A first-half double from Simeon Akinola and Timothee Dieng earned Blues local bragging rights against Colchester United in this Boxing Day clash at Roots Hall.

Akinola headed in Sam Hart’s free-kick to put the home side in front after just 10 minutes with Dieng firing in a second to double Southend’s advantage midway through the first-half.

Southend United 2-0 Colchester United Highlights 26th Dec 2020​

From The Boss

“In our history, it’s going to be the biggest challenge and the biggest game. The game on Saturday wasn’t the result that we were looking for so Colchester have put a bit of space between us again.

“I’m going to say it, regardless of whether you’re going to ask the question about a must-win situation, it is a must-win situation.

“We’re going into that in the full knowledge that we must win four games. If we can get to 50 points it brings a whole new scenario to the ballpark. I’m not convinced everyone above us in the 40’s are safe, but they might be in a better situation than we are that’s for sure, so psychologically they’re going into games thinking if they win they might be safe. Bottom line is, we need to win this game or it could be the end of a great era.”

Blues Team News

Timothee Dieng, who scored the last time these two sides met, will be unavailable this evening as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury picked up against Crawley.

Blues are waiting to hear the extent of Tom Clifford’s thigh injury that saw him pull out during the warm-up at Exeter, with Sam Hart ready to deputise once again after impressing on Saturday.

Alan McCormack recovered sufficiently to make a brief substitute appearance at the weekend, with the experienced midfielder likely to be pushing for a start this evening.

Colchester Dangerman

Should he be fit tonight, Callum Harriott will undoubtedly pose a huge threat to the Southend defence with the former Reading and Charlton man the U’s top scorer this campaign.

Harriott limped off at half-time during their win against Walsall on Saturday so is a doubt, but he’s proven to be a real asset to Colchester this season with nine goals and five assists to his name.

And when Harriott scores, good things happen for the U’s who haven’t lost any of the eight games the Guayana international has scored in, with his last goal coming in a 1-1 draw with Barrow.

Ref Watch

Tonight’s crunch Essex Derby will be officiated by Kevin Johnson, with Anthony Da Costa and Scott Williams the assistants and Declan Bourne the fourth official.

Johnson has been in charge of 24 games so far this season, showing a total of 71 yellow cards and four reds, with his last match being the April 10th clash between Cambridge and Exeter.

It’ll be Johnson’s first visit to the JobServe Community Stadium since April 2018 and his second Southend game of the campaign having overseen the 2-2 draw with Exeter in October.

iFollow Blues

With fans unable to attend matches in person, Blues fans can watch tonight’s clash with Colchester 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 for iFollow Blues and ensure you miss none of the action at the JobServe Community Stadium, click here.


Full text can be found here:-
Link

Essex Derby? Bring It On

https://twitter.com/x/status/1384408996283486208

Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Col Ewe Team



Col Ewe Starting Lineup

 

[Ricey]

Oh god! Frank Nouble starting for the scum! He’s going to be the one to relegate us

 

[Strykr]

Goodship in the starting line up. I may watch it free on skybet now.

 

[MisterStubbs]

Nerves well and truly setting in now. It’s no exaggeration to say that this is the biggest game in our clubs recent history. We are all behind you tonight lads, make us proud.. come on you ****ing blues!

 

[Shrimper44]

Goodship in the starting line up. I may watch it free on skybet now.

and use the tenner on Goodship as first goal scorer

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

Just about to put that up. Goodship MUST play his football in and around the box, no dropping deep. He has one function tonight and one function only imo. SCORE GOALS!

 

[brigg blue]

Hopefully PB has spent the last week showing Goodship where the box is, in fact I hope he got an electric shock collar and zapped him everytime he wandered out of it

 

[Holy Joe]

Arise sir goodship. The stage is set, the time is now

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

No Akinola.Interesting.Not even on the bench.

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

What a terrible line up, get out of our club MM you PE teacher.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Sounds like Phil has fallen out with Akinola if he's not even got him on the bench. Not sure about this starting line up at all.

Desperately hope I'm proved wrong

 

[Bratislava Blue]

No Akinola?

 

[Tommy2holes]

No Akinola and no McCormack

 

[Holy Joe]

And no Ang again

 

[Blue Yonder]

Don't think I've ever felt so pessimistic and devoid of hope. I guess that means I can be optimistic it wont be as bad as my worst fears.

 

[NZamba Legend]

Gonna come together tonight. I can feel it.

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

McCormack injured in training...Ref'll have a quieter night then.

 

[hlane17]

And no Ang again

ANG does have no end product though and I am impressed by Walsh since his run-out vs Exeter.