Southend United V Accrington Stanley

[southend_aussies]

I guess as no one has started this up i'll do it with my preview into this weekend's match.

Southend v Accrington Stanley:

FORM:

Southend:

LAST 5

Peterborough 0-4 (LEAGUE CUP)

FRIENDLIES:
Tottenham Hotspur XI 0-6
Charlton 2-3
Millwall 1-2
Ipswich 2-1

Accrington:

Bolton Wanderers 2-2 (FRIENDLY)

Carlisle United 0-1 (LEAGUE CUP)

FRIENDLIES:
Manchester United 0-4
Coventry 1-4
St Mirren 1-1

HEAD TO HEAD:
Southend 4
Accrington 2
Draws 2

(OF NOTE THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE ACCRINGTON STANLEY AROUND SINCE 1891 BUT BECAME DEFUNCT IN 1966)

Last Time we met: Saturday 10 March 2012 Southend 2 Accrington 2

Last 5 head to head: Southend 2 Draw 2 Accrington 1


KEY PLAYERS FOR ACCRINGTON:

Padraig Amond - After scoring 8 goals in all competitions and being Accrington's leading goalscorer last season, Amond made a full move to Stanley this season from Portugal. In a team where goals were at a premium, Amond was able to buck that trend a little. With Southend's defense suffering a couple of injury concerns Amond could be the danger for the Shrimpers if he is given a run this afternoon.

Karl Sheppard - 15 goals for Shamrock Rovers last season prompted Reading to sign the Irish youngster on a two and a half year deal. Currently on loan to Accrington, Sheppard could be another striker Southend will have to be wary of in today's match.

OUR KEY PLAYER:

John Spicer - In a midfield that badly needed experience on Tuesday against Peterborough, Spicer now provides that after signing a one year deal with the Shrimper's in time for the season opener. If Southend are to win today, then the midfield needs to respond and with Spicer - who has over 200 games experience - in the centre he could provide the experience needed for a Blues win.

STATS:

Last season Southend only lost 5 times at home and recorded twelve wins. Of more importance the Blues outscored their opponents at home by 2 goals to 1, scoring 36 goals and only conceding 18 goals at home.

Accrington on the other hand last year were the draw specialists away from home with 11 draws in 23 matches. They also conceded on average 1 and a half goals per game to their opponents and only won 3 games away from home.

Southend 4-0 loss to Peterborough was Paul Sturrock's biggest loss as Southend United manager in his 111 games in charge.

Accrington have never defeated Southend United at Roots Hall in their history spanning over 100 years and involving two clubs.

PREDICTION:

With Southend facing many injury dilemma's including Ryan Cresswell, Gavin Tomlin, Freddy Eastwood, Neil Harris and a few others the key will be who actually faces up to battle Accrington today. Despite Stanley not having the greatest of pre-seasons they have added well in defence and up front with Sheppard and Amond. The only problem for Accrington is thier form away from home which wasn't great and I expect that to continue. Yes, Southend have injuries but the 11 they'll put out today should win the match and make up for their midweek loss against Peterborough.

MY TIP: 2-1.

So that's my view, what are everyone else predictions and what team do we expect Southend to put out.

 

[canveyshrimper]

We're gonna get spaned.......:'(

 

[Cricko]

Spaned eh, that should be interesting.:dim:

 

[turkishm]

I hope Spicer makes a difference, we need it,if not i can only see a scrappy draw. These players need a lift, after being given the run around by clubs from higher leagues, in what was jokingly called preperation. Lets hope its a win, but im afraid my head says no more than a draw.

 

[Jai]

0-2 I'm afraid. Can't see us winning. Nothing like a bit of pre-season optimism.

 

[Earls Hall Blue]

Belford
Clohessy Phillips Barker Straker
Hurst Spicer Ferdinand Hall
Tomlin Eastwood

Subs: Bently Cresswell Prosser Leonard Benyon Assombalonga Martin​

3 - 0 in front of 5478, 115 from Stanley. Eastwood, Tomlin & Phillips to score.

Oh how I love opening day optimism..:smile:

Oh & if anyone interested, Freddy 20/1 with Skybet to be L2 highest scorer this season & that big lump at Northampton who was joint top scorer last season is 22/1..:unsure:

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

We're gonna get spaned.......:'(

Did you mean spayed?................or could it be more like outspayed?

 

[south247]

Southend Aussies,

Good piece. I think this should be a regular feature alongside Mick's ref lowdown.

 

[FarmdogSUFC]

Belford
Clohessy - Phillips - Barker - Straker
Hall - Spicer - Ferdinand - Hurst
Benyon - Eastwood

Subs: Bentley - Cresswell - Prosser - Leonard - Martin -

Assombalonga - Tomlin

Not the line-up I wanna see but the one I'm assuming if both Cresswell and Tomlin pass fitness tests. I'm going for a 2-1 win, us going 2 up, them getting a cheeky one in the last 20 and the rest of the 20 just constant pressure from them, with Belford fouling a player in the penalty area, straight red, Bentley coming on, saving the penalty, then getting sent off himself, for Mohsni to parachute in to goal and save the day. Seriously though, up until the Belford bit is what I think will happen.

COYB !!​

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Cant see Benyon starting he's done nothing pre-season. Wouldnt be surprised if he is the next out the door. Reckon the long surnamed one will start with Freddy.

 

[Earls Hall Blue]

Belford
Clohessy - Phillips - Barker - Straker
Hall - Spicer - Ferdinand - Hurst
Benyon - Eastwood

Subs: Bentley - Cresswell - Prosser - Leonard - Martin -

Assombalonga - Tomlin

Not the line-up I wanna see but the one I'm assuming if both Cresswell and Tomlin pass fitness tests. I'm going for a 2-1 win, us going 2 up, them getting a cheeky one in the last 20 and the rest of the 20 just constant pressure from them, with Belford fouling a player in the penalty area, straight red, Bentley coming on, saving the penalty, then getting sent off himself, for Mohsni to parachute in to goal and save the day. Seriously though, up until the Belford bit is what I think will happen.

COYB !!​

Didn't Tomlin declare himself fit the other day?

That's why I put him in my starting line-up. May be wrong but I thought he had & if so should definitely get the nod over Benyon.