If Southend fans are thinking that our current league position is somewhat below our rightful place in the pecking order, then that is nothing compared to how Bolton fans must be feeling - 4 times winners of the FA Cup, in the Premiership less than 10 years ago and with a beautiful new stadium with a 28,000 capacity. However, like us, they were relegated to the fourth tier last season and are making a better fist of life at this level than the blues having poached manager Ian Evatt from another team new to League 2 this season, albeit joining from the other direction.
Evatt has been moaning like mad since their rearranged game at Mansfield was switched to Wednesday night, due to Mansfield's game against Colchester last week being switched to the Sunday. Obviously it gave them one extra day to prepare for the Mansfield game than their opponents but instead of focusing on the positives, Mr Evatt is whinging about how it gives them a day less to prepare for their trip to Roots Hall. Which brings to mind the words of the Sergeant Major played by Windsor Davies in It Ain't Half Hot Mum!
Anyway, after a couple of promising games away from home against two sides up the top of the table, which included two clean sheets, it's a return to Roots Hall and hopefully time to put to bed the ghosts of those previous three home games that all ended in defeat. It's probably a bit early for team news, but there are strong rumours from usually reliable sources that Messrs. Ranger and Holmes might be available to augment our attack, an instagram story showed Mellis driving Ranger to training so he must be nearly fit too, and Goodship and Hart were back on the bench last Saturday, so they're back as well. I'm not sure about the other walking wounded like Olayinka, Macca and Egbri but, long term injuries aside, we're nearly back to a full squad and from last Saturday's programme it's a pretty big one too. So, usual drill, predicted starting XI and result.