Official Match Thread Morecambe v Southend United

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we are the twentieth away game of the 2020/21 season and Mark Molesley’s 20th away game since he was appointed Manager of the Mighty Shrimpers.

Our 19th away match is against Morecambe
The battle of the Shrimps, will the Shrimpers catch the Shrimps?


This is our 4th 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 Mark and the team whether you are at Mazuma Stadium in spirit, listening on the radio, or listening/watching on ifollow.

Mark Molesley’s Southend United League Two Away Team against Morecambe



Mazuma Stadium is ready for action at 18.30 hrs Tuesday 6th April 2021. It looks like we will have some sunny intervals with a moderate breeze for this evening’s game, it will feel freezing.





The weather forecast for this afternoon at Mazuma Stadium



Current League away record after 19 away games

Won 4
Drawn 7
Lost 8
Goals scored 10
Goals conceded 25

League Positions Last Season

22nd (2019/20) League One Southend United (Relegated)
22nd (2019/20) League Two Morecambe

League Positions Current Season

6th (2020/21) League Two Morecambe
23rd (2020/21) League Two Southend United

Recent League Positions Change



Previous Meetings

Southend United 1-2 Morecambe (L2 26/09/20 Att. 0 Covid)
Morecambe 3-1 Southend United (L2 02/05/15 Att. 4,108)
Southend United 0-1 Morecambe (L2 04/10/14 Att. 5,284)
Morecambe 2-1 Southend United (L2 08/03/14 Att. 1,608)
Morecambe 0-3 Southend United (FAC1 09/11/13 Att. 1,474)

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 1
Draws: 1
Morecambe Wins: 10

Current Form

Morecambe D L W W L
Southend United D D D W L



Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Morecambe

Derek Adams talks to Gavin Browne at the Lancaster Guardian before the game with Southend United

Morecambe manager warns Southend United shouldn't be taken for granted

Morecambe Manager Derek Adams​

Derek Adams won’t pay any attention to Southend United’s lowly league position as Morecambe continue their quest for promotion tomorrow night.

The two teams do battle at the Mazuma Stadium (6.30pm) with both needing three points for very different reasons.

Victory for the Shrimps will complete the league double over their opponents and keep them handily placed in the mix for a top-three finish.

Their visitors, on the other hand, find themselves in the relegation spots with time running out in their bid for survival.

Southend may have only won three of their last 13 outings but those were victories against Newport County AFC, Forest Green Rovers and Harrogate Town, while they also drew with league leaders Cambridge United and Salford City in that time.

Both sides go into the game looking to atone for defeats, Morecambe beaten at Cambridge and Southend losing at home to Carlisle United.

Speaking before the latter, Adams said: “They (Southend) have done really well.

“They were down the bottom of the league. They are still there but they are picking up some good points.

“We will watch them (against Carlisle) in preparation for Tuesday night.”

Ten League Two fixtures take place this afternoon, meaning Morecambe will be playing catch-up on their promotion rivals tomorrow.

Though they lost at Cambridge on Friday, teams in and around the Shrimps failed to capitalise.

Bolton Wanderers drew with Colchester United, Tranmere Rovers were beaten at second-placed Cheltenham Town, while there were also defeats for Forest Green, Newport and Exeter City.

Adams had previously said that the promotion battle will go down to the final day – and he doesn’t see that situation changing.

“With eight games to go, we are in the play-off positions,” Adams said.

“We just have to keep on going and pick up the wins that are required to get us up the league.

“It’s extremely tight and, until the end of the season, it’s going to be extremely difficult for all teams.”

Link to full interview:-
Link

Southend United

Mark Molesley Southend United’s Manager talked to ifollow before leaving for the Morecambe match

Mark Molesley Southend United's Manager during interview​

Link to ifollow interview
Link

Mark Molesley speaks to Chris Phillips at The Echo ahead of this evening’s game against Morecambe

Mark Molesley eyes 'complete performance' as Southend United bid to get back in the fight at Morecambe

Back on the road - Southend United head to Morecambe on Tuesday night​

Mark Molesley feels only a ‘complete performance’ will breathe life back into Southend United’s survival hopes at Morecambe tomorrow night.

The second from bottom Shrimpers go into the game sitting six points from

safety with just seven games to go.

And Molesley is demanding an immediate reaction following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Carlisle United.

“We need to react quickly and we need complete performances from everyone,” said Molesley.

“The games are running out and we’re well aware of the situation we’re in.

"That’s why Saturday was so bitterly disappointing and we didn’t get to the heights we needed to.

“We’ve got to be brave on the ball and have more quality on it as well.”

But Molesley knows sixth placed Morecambe will be tough to beat.

“It’s a big challenge for us,” said the Blues boss.

“They’re pushing for the play-offs and both teams have everything to play for.”

The Shrimpers are likely to be without midfield duo James Olayinka (groin) and Alan McCormack (calf).

Full text can be found here:-
Link

The Big Preview

Morecambe vs Southend United

​

Overview

Southend United make the long trip to the Mazuma Stadium this evening as they travel to take on promotion-chasing Morecambe in League Two action (6.30pm Kick-Off).

With Blues trying to cling on to those above them and Morecambe just two points from an automatic promotion spot, the three points on offer are of huge significance to both sides.

But Morecambe are Southend’s ultimate bogey club with the Shrimps winning 10 and drawing one of their 11 league meetings to date, so history will need to be made if Blues are to come out on top.

Form

Defeat to Carlisle on Saturday ended a four-game unbeaten run for Blues with their last defeat before the weekend coming against Tranmere Rovers towards the start of March.

Between those two defeats, Southend had drawn three in a row – against Stevenage, Scunthorpe and Walsall – before beating Harrogate 1-0 away from home.

Morecambe fell to a 2-1 defeat at Cambridge on Good Friday but have won three of their last six, claiming victories against Carlisle, Harrogate and Cheltenham.

Last League Meeting

Saturday 26th September 2020

Southend United 1-2 Morecambe

Acquah 5’; Wildig 55’, Phillips 73’

Morecambe come from behind to claim victory at Roots Hall the last time these two sides met back in September, with goals from Aaron Wildig and Adam Phillips completing the turnaround.

Emile Acquah put Blues in front with his first senior goal after just five minutes, but Wildig levelled 10 minutes after the restart before Phillips completed a Morecambe counter-attack to seal the win.

From The Boss

“We’ve got to react quickly. The games are running out and we’re well aware of the situation, and that’s why it was so bitterly disappointing to see on Saturday that we didn’t get to the heights that we needed to.

“We have to take care of our own business. We didn’t do that on Saturday, so regardless of other people’s results, we’ve got to concentrate and focus on ourselves. It would be nice to be in line with everyone [having to play a day later than the rest of the league], but that is out of our control.

“Saturday was a stark reminder that if you think you can take your eye off any element of our game, you get hurt in this league. We’ve got to be spot on in every aspect and be the very best we can in every aspect that we look for. We’ve got to have complete performances from everyone now and show every characteristic.

“Morecambe will be a big challenge. They’re a play-off team that are pushing and it’s tight up there. Both teams have got everything to play for and it’s going to be a really tough game.”

Blues Team News

Mark Molesley is waiting to hear the result of James Olayinka’s scan before deciding if he will travel to Morecambe this evening after the Arsenal-loanee missed the Carlisle game with a groin injury.

Blues will almost certainly though be without the experience of midfielder Alan McCormack who limped off during the first-half of Saturday’s game with a calf injury.

However, Timothee Dieng is available again for selection after completing a two-game suspension, while Sam Hart has one game left of his three-game ban for a red card against Walsall.

Morecambe Dangerman

Carlos Mendes-Gomes currently leads Morecambe’s scoring charts for the season and will undoubtedly pose one of the Shrimps’ biggest threats this evening.

The winger is into his third season with the club but has totted up more appearances this season than in his previous two combined, which is a clear indication of his growing importance to the side.

And with 12 goals and three assists to his name this season, he’s combined his flair with a clinical edge, often cutting inside from the wing and causing damage to opposition defences.

Ref Watch

Scott Oldham is the appointed referee for tonight’s clash at Morecambe, being assisted by Daniel Woodward and Paul Graham, with Gary Hilton the fourth official for the evening.

Oldham has overseen 26 matches across the course of this season, only showing 51 yellow cards and no reds, with his last match being Oxford’s 2-1 win against Lincoln on Good Friday.

Tonight will be Oldham’s second-ever Blues game, with his one and only Southend game to date being the 1-1 draw with Crawley in the Emirates FA Cup First Round back in November 2018.

iFollow Blues

With fans unable to attend matches in person, Blues fans can watch tonight’s clash with Morecambe 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 Mazuma Stadium, click here.

Full text can be found here:-
Link

Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Morecambe Team

 

[Phippsy]

Halford hahahahahahahaha. Well done Gaffer that should do the trick.

 

[Worcester Shrimper64]

Halford up front??

 

[damien]

Akinola injured or been signed up to bomb squad

 

[Shrimper]

I've defended MM more than most.

But what the **** is that selection? Akinola? Halford playing? No Rush?

 

[onceknownasrab]

Absolutely appalled by the front line selection. I hope I'm proved wrong but if not MM really hasn't learnt a thing.

 

[C V Shrimper]

Even less confident of getting anything now.

 

[Pak Power]

Here we go again then, Lets hope he puts JD at right back and Elvis in the midfield.

Mainly because Elvis doesn't have a clue what he's doing, so neither will Morecambe.

Morecambe , who are not in the same league as us don't you know, according to our illustrious chairman, well after this season we won't be

 

[Floval Flyer]

FFS!

No recognised striker?! What the actual **** is MM playing at? Where is Akinola, why is Rush still not ahead of Goodship on the bench. Why not start on the front foot from the start instead of having 5 attacking players on the bench and only introducing them when it’s too late...

Halford up front is it???

Not watching this one. Cannot take the pain.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Anyone got picturs of the ground yet?

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Halford, oh dear oh dear. Mind you, I don't think Morecambe will be shaking in their boots no matter who we pick as pretend strikers. We have no strikers.

 

[Medway Blue]

I've defended Molesley so far and I try not to react strongly either way to a starting line-up as I may get proven wrong......but what the actual **** am I seeing on that team sheet? An absolute must-win game and we start with no recognised striker on the pitch.

Just when you think it couldn't turn into any more of a circus. That might be white flag time for me.

 

[NZamba Legend]

Can't believe our 'designated penalty taker' has been omitted from the squad completely

 

[bigmolt]

Why no Acquah ? Absolutely ridiculous, only way out of trouble is to win games. That lineup has no chance of scoring!!

 

[damien]

Halford is our Jackie moon he is just going rover today

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

I think that team selection should meet universal approval! . I'd just like to know, who is our designated penalty taker in the absence of Anikola?

 

[LBBlue]

Elvis at centre forward please and Dieng at centre half

 

[Maroon Blue]

FFS!

No recognised striker?! What the actual **** is MM playing at? Where is Akinola, why is Rush still not ahead of Goodship on the bench. Why not start on the front foot from the start instead of having 5 attacking players on the bench and only introducing them when it’s too late...

Halford up front is it???

Not watching this one. Cannot take the pain.

People were moaning we got overrun in midfield on Saturday playing 4 attacking players, now back to 3 in midfield. We will not get overrrun but go down with a series of 0-0's rather than 2-0 losses. Got to face it we ain't good enough whatever way we slice it!