Official Match Thread Southend United v Barrow AFC

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we are the eleventh League Two home game of the 2020/21 season and Mark Molesley’s eleventh league home game in charge as manager of the Mighty Shrimpers.

Our 11th League Two match at home is against Barrow AFC



It is now time for ALL of us to get behind him and the team whether you are listening on the radio, listening or watching on ifollow, you can still make that famous "Roots Hall Roar” at home.

Mark Molesley’s 11th Southend United League two Home Team of the 2020/21 season



The Roots Hall pitch looks fantastic and is ready for action at 3.00pm Saturday 9th January 2021 against Barrow AFC looks like we are going to have a nice sunny afternoon at Roots Hall with a gentle breeze, but it will still feel cold with the temperature only just above freezing.


Roots Hall basking in the sun


Groundsman doing his stuff to get Roots Hall ready


OK who is in the crowd at Roots Hall? Own Up!

Here is the weather forecast for this afternoon at Roots Hall



Current League home record after 10 home games

Won 3
Dawn 1
Lost 6
Goals scored 9
Goals conceded 16

League Positions Last Season

22nd (2019/20 Season) League One Southend United (Relegated)
1st (2019/20 Season) National League Barrow AFC (Champions,Promoted)

League Positions Current Season

21st (2020/21 Season) League Two Barrow AFC
23rd (2020/21 Season) League Two Southend United

Recent League Position Change



Previous Six Meetings

Barrow AFC 2-1 Southend United (D4 19/02/72 Att. 2,068)
Southend United 1-0 Barrow AFC (D4 29/10/71 Att. 12,426)
Barrow AFC 2-0 Southend United (D4 20/03/71 Att. 1,452)
Southend United 2-3 Barrow AFC (D4 06/11/70 Att. 6,923)
Barrow AFC 1-0 Southend United (D4 22/04/67 Att. 5,847)
Southend United 1-3 Barrow AFC (D4 28/10/66 Att. 9,063)

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 1
Draws: 0
Barrow AFC Wins: 5

Current Form

Barrow AFC L L W W D
Southend United W W D W L

Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Barrow AFC

Barrow’s Manager Micheal Jolley talks to their OS before travelling to Roots Hall.

We Can Lift Fans' Spirits - Jolley

Barrow Manager Michael Jolley applauds the fans after the game against Tranmere Rovers​

Michael Jolley has called on his players to help lift the gloom of lockdown for supporters by continuing their good run of form when they travel to Southend United this weekend.

The Bluebirds boss is fully aware of the responsibility he and the players have as they make the trip to Essex for Saturday’s game, as elite sport carries on during heightened COVID-19 restrictions.

There were no positive tests among Barrow players or staff following the EFL’s blanket testing at the beginning of the week and that leaves Jolley’s men free to focus on doing the business at Roots Hall.

“There’s not a lot to smile about for a lot of people at the moment so it’s really important that we represent Barrow in the right way,” Jolley told iFollow.

“If the Football Club can be a positive story at the minute then that’s fantastic and that’s certainly what we’ll be aiming for.

“I think the Southend we will face on Saturday will be very different from the one earlier in the season; their confidence will be much higher and they have got some good results behind them now.

“It’s going to be a tough game but, equally, we have taken seven points from our last nine so I think it will be a tough game for Southend as well.

“It should be a good game between two teams who are looking up and trying to move up that table.”

Link to full story
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Southend United

Mark Molesley talks to ifollow before this afternoons game against Barrow

Southend United Manager Mark Molesley's interview


Southend United Manager Mark Molesley during his ifollow interview​

Link to ifollow interview
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Mark Molesley talks to Chris Phillips at the Echo before today’s game with Barrow

Southend United boss Mark Molesley expects 'tough challenge' against Barrow in crunch League Two clash

Going head to head - Southend United and Barrow meet at Roots Hall tomorrow​

Southend United manager Mark Molesley is expecting a 'tough challenge' from Barrow in tomorrow's relegation six pointer at Roots Hall.

The bottom of the table Blues sit four points behind 21st placed Barrow.

But Molesley feels the Football League newcomers will be difficult to beat.

“It’s another really tough challenge and a big game,” said Molesley.

“I’ve been nothing but impressed by Barrow everytime I’ve seen them this season.

“They play a lovely brand of football and they’ve been in every game they’ve played.

“They’re a very good side and, a bit like us, maybe they haven’t been as ruthless as they would’ve liked.

"We will show them the respect they deserve but if we get our game plan right we’ve got every chance of beating any team in this League.”

The match will also see Molesley going head to head with Barrow boss Michael Jolley who miussed out on the Shrimpers job in the summer.

And Molesley is certain Jolley will do a good job.

"He’s only been there for a short time but he’s a very astute coach and a very good football man," said Molesley.

"Barrow would’ve been very selective on who they brought in."

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The Big Preview

Southend United v Barrow

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Overview

Mark Molesley’s Blues side belatedly get their 2021 underway as they welcome league new-boys Barrow to Roots Hall tomorrow afternoon.

Both sides made a false-start to the new year with Southend’s game at Newport being called off while Barrow’s home game against Exeter also fell foul of the weather.

And with both teams scrapping towards the bottom of the League Two table, it means making a winning start to the new year becomes that little bit more important.

Form

Blues’ last game of 2020 saw them fall to a 2-0 defeat at Leyton Orient which put an end to their unbeaten run which had stood at five matches.

During that time, Southend had picked up two draws on the road at Stevenage and Mansfield, and three home wins against Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Colchester United.

Barrow have seen a recent upturn in their results which has them coming into Saturday unbeaten in three thanks to wins against Cheltenham and Port Vale, and a draw against Tranmere.

Last League Meeting

Saturday 19th February 1972

Barrow 2-1 Southend United

The Bluebirds took the spoils the last time these two sides met back in 1972 with a 2-1 win at Holker Street which avenged Southend’s 1-0 victory at Roots Hall earlier that season.

Blues would finish the 71/72 campaign by gaining promotion to the old Third Division while Barrow were voted out of the League in favour of Hereford after finishing in the bottom four.

From The Boss

"Michael Jolley's only been there for a short time and he’s a very astute coach, a very good football man.

"Barrow would’ve been very selective with who they brought in and I think he’d be along the same philosophy and the same lines.

"I’ve been nothing but impressed with Barrow every time I’ve seen them. They play a lovely brand of football, they’ve been in every game they’ve played in, they’re a very good side and probably just fall victim, a bit like us, this season of maybe not being as ruthless as they would’ve liked. They certainly have the players to do that.

"Like I say, I’ve been nothing but impressed with them so another really tough challenge awaits us and another big game.

"But if we get our game plan right we’ve got every chance of beating anyone in this league.”

Blues Team News

New signing Reeco Hackett-Fairchild is likely to go straight into the Blues squad on his birthday for this Saturday’s clash with Barrow after the 22-year-old joined on loan from Portsmouth until the end of the season.

A late decision will be made on fellow loanee Kyle Taylor as well as Michael Klass who’ve both been absent in recent weeks after testing positive for COVID-19.

Brandon Goodship is continuing to nurse a rib injury and is expected back in 10-14 days while Tom Clifford is closing in on a return having not played since injuring his ankle at Mansfield.

Alan McCormack did travel with the side to Newport last week, so will be available again, with the experienced midfielder now having the benefit of an extra week of training under his belt.

Barrow Dangerman

No doubting who Barrow’s in-form player is coming into Saturday and that would be striker Scott Quigley who’s bagged for the Bluebirds in each of his last four matches.

Quigley was instrumental in earning Barrow promotion from the National League last season, finishing as the division’s leading marksman with 20-goals.

As well as knowing where the net is, the former Blackpool striker offers a physical and aerial presence standing in at 6ft4, making him the obvious dangerman on Saturday.

Ref Watch

Christopher Pollard will be the referee for this weekend’s clash, being assisted by Andrew Aylott and Nicholas Cooper, while Stephen Finch will be the fourth official.

Pollard took charge of Blues’ first competitive game of the season which saw Southend fall to a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Gillingham in the Carabao Cup.

Saturday will be Pollard’s 14th game of the campaign with his most recent outing being Stevenage’s 3-1 win over Scunthorpe. In his previous 13 matches, Pollard has shown 54 yellows and five reds.

iFollow Blues

With fans again not able to attend Roots Hall in person, Blues supporters can watch Saturday’s clash with Barrow by picking up a Match Pass on iFollow Blues for £10.

A Match Pass will allow you to watch the game on your laptop, computer, tablet or mobile device with Season Ticket holders already having access to their pass via their iFollow account. Please note, if you haven't informed the Ticket Office of your email address to link up with home game access, then you will be emailed with a code.

For more information on how you can get your Match Pass and ensure you miss none of the action at Roots Hall on iFollow Blues, click here.

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Southend United v Barrow AFC Programme

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The matchday programme for this weekend’s game against Barrow AFC is on sale.

Southend United’s first game of 2021 sees them welcome last year’s National League champions, who have recently appointed Michael Jolley as manager, to Roots Hall (3pm KO).

Roots Review features an interview with striker Simeon Akinola. The 28-year-old talks about getting another chance in the Football League with Blues, his wait to get involved after signing, scoring his first goal for the club on Boxing Day and specifically his mindset as Blues begin the New Year with some crucial games ahead of them.

Akinola’s integration to the team has coincided with an upturn in form, but after 11 points from six games the former Barnet front man said Blues haven’t achieved anything yet and the hard work starts now.

Buy your copy of the programme to read the full interview with Akinola.

There’s lots more included in the 52-page edition including Supporter Spotlight with Simon Dodd, Academy Update, a welcome from the Shrimpers Trust, Quick Fire Quiz and a look back at the last meeting between the two sides from SUEPA organiser Andy Leeder. SUFC History continue their recap of our 100 years in the Football League as it reaches the 1966-1970 years.

The price for this edition is £3.00 plus P+P of £0.99 for postage to a UK address. Overseas deliveries will incur an increased P&P charge which will be calculated based on the delivery address.

CLICK HERE TO BUY A BARROW PROGRAMME.

Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Barrow AFC team

Looks like Barrow AFC are having trouble naming their team, will update when published

Update

Barrow: Dixon, Brown, Hird, Platt, Brough, Kay, Hardcastle, C Taylor, Beadling, Quigley, James.
Subs: Lillis, Zouma, Wilson, J Jones, J Taylor, Angus.

​

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Nice one Big Dady.....I look forward to your pre match report as much as Mick's ref review....

 

[blueblueblue]

That's not a bad team, no more excuses, that team (and the squad) should now be holding it's own in Lg2.

 

[Southminster Shrimper]

Strong line up. Happy with that. Come on blues.

 

[flangejackrabbit]

Quite intrigued as to how we will line up with that set of players. Guessing a few of the players on bench are not 100% still or they would start.

 

[amsemp]

Looks like it might be a 5-2-1-2. One of my favourite formations if done right! Just need to make sure Elvis and Hart get far enough forward for the width.

Oxley
Elvis, White, Halford, Hobson, Hart
Demetriou, Dieng
Olayinka
RHF, Akinola​

 

[euroshrimper]

I am liking the look of our team today, so "Come on" you mighty Blues.........from a Snow covered Bonnie Scotland.

 

[flangejackrabbit]

Looks like it might be a 5-2-1-2. One of my favourite formations if done right! Just need to make sure Elvis and Hart get far enough forward for the width.

Oxley
Elvis, White, Halford, Hobson, Hart
Demetriou, Dieng
Olayinka
RHF, Akinola​

That's the neatest shape I can work them into as well.

 

[brigg blue]

I think it might be 3 up top with Halford in the middle as a target man

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

3-4-1-2 or 3-4-3 as far as I can tell

 

[Kris]

No Egbri. I’m guessing he’s injured or ill?

 

[Bratislava Blue]

Looking forward to watching my first game from my new home in Bratislava .. Prague Blue is no more...

UTB....

 

[dannypav]

I could be 4-2-3-1

Oxley
Elvis, White, Hobson, Hart
Demetriou, Halford
Olayinka , Dieng , RHF,
Akinola

 

[Welly7]

I could be 4-2-3-1

Oxley
Elvis, White, Hobson, Hart
Demetriou, Halford
Olayinka , Dieng , RHF,
Akinola

This is what I expect to see.

 

[The Big Dady]

Official Team Sheet

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[Harry Bullocks]

Happy of Hampshire, 1st afternoon refreshment about to be opened ????

 

[LBBlue]

Their 28, Chris Taylor, has been a thorn in our side over the years.

 

[flangejackrabbit]

Molesley not getting any questions about the shape in his pre match comments but giving nothing away either.