Official Match Thread Southend United v Bolton Wanderers

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

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

Our 15th League Two match at home is against Bolton Wanderers



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 15th 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 20th February 2021 against Bolton Wanderers. It looks like we are going to have some nice sunny intervals with a fresh Southerly breeze for this afternoon’s game at Roots Hall.





Here is the weather forecast for this afternoon at Roots Hall



Current League home record after 14 home games

Won 4
Drawn 1
Lost 9
Goals scored 13
Goals conceded 22

League Positions Last Season

22nd (2019/20 Season) League One Southend United (Relegated)
23rd (2019/20 Season) League One Bolton Wanderers (Relegated)

League Positions Current Season

11th (2020/21 Season) League Two Bolton Wanderers
22nd (2020/21 Season) League Two Southend United

Recent League Position Change



Previous five Meetings

Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Southend United (L2 28/11/21 Att. 0 Covid)
Bolton Wanderers 3-2 Southend United (L1 21/12/19 Att. 12,055)
Southend United 0-1 Bolton Wanderers (L1 04/04/17 Att. 9,340)
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Southend United (L1 03/09/16 Att. 13,519)
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Southend United (D1 28/12/96 Att. 16,357)

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 5
Draws: 6
Bolton Wanderers Wins: 9

Current Form

Bolton Wanderers L W D W W
Southend United L L L W D


Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers Manager Ian Evatt talks to their OS before travelling to Roots Hall.

Bolton Wanderers Manager Ian Evatt​

In-form Bolton Wanderers face Southend United tomorrow with manager Ian Evatt admitting his players won’t be taking things for granted in Essex.

Following successive Sky Bet League Two wins against Stevenage and Mansfield Town, Wanderers head into the game at Roots Hall in buoyant mood.

Having beaten the Shrimpers 3-0 at the University of Bolton Stadium earlier in the campaign, Wanderers make the long journey with a spring in their steps and looking for a league double.

But the Wanderers boss is guarding his troops against complacency.

“They’ve certainly got threats”, he said.

“They have got some good results so we’re not going to rest on our laurels and take it for granted. We’re going to go there full tilt and try and win the game and respect the opposition. I thought they were a much better team than what people give credit for.

"I thought even the 3-0 game here, they had a chance at 0-0 that Matt (Gilks) saved and the game could have been completely different had it gone in.

“We have to respect them which we certainly will, and go there and give the best we can to try and get three points.”

With just under half of the season remaining, Evatt is hoping that his defence, who have shone in recent weeks, can provide the bedrock for consistency as Wanderers hope to climb the league table.

He added: “First off the defence needs to stay in one piece and stay healthy. I think when defenders are playing well it normally means that you’ve got consistency with selection and they’re all available for selection, they get to know each other’s games really well.

"I’m delighted with Rico and Baps, I think they’re doing fantastically well. They really complement each other well. Declan is improving game to game and he will get better, he’s a fantastic footballer and we’re very fortunate to have him.

"Gethin is getting back to the form he was showing before his ankle injury at the start of the season.

"That’s great but we’ve got competition for places behind them too; we’ve got Ryan Delaney, we’ve got young Jacko at left-back, we’ve got Brock as the right-back. We’re in a good place and throughout the squad there’s serious competition and it’s all about pushing each other on and striving for the best and the best results. If we can do that, we’ll give ourselves an opportunity.”

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Southend United

Mark Molesley talked to the ifollow before today’s game with Bolton Wanderers

Southend United Manager


Southend Manager Mark Molesley speaks during his interview​

Link to interview
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Mark Molesley talked to the OS before today’s game with Bolton Wanderers

Southend Manager Mark Molesley​

As Southend United return home to face Bolton Wanderers at Roots Hall on Saturday, Mark Molesley says Blues cannot get ahead of themselves.

After two good results against promotion chasing sides to lift club just outside the Sky Bet League Two relegation places, the message is clear from the manager.

Molesley says Blues can’t keep getting knocked back, as they look to put a sustained run of results together.

"We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us and some tough games coming up.

"But we can be buoyed by the attitude, mentality and resilience the boys have shown to bounce back from a tough time for us. That two weeks was probably the toughest time for us that we’d felt during our campaign.

"We had to get back up and fight again, and the boys have shown that resilience throughout the season. Whatever has been thrown at them, they’ve come back out fighting. When people started to write us off, we’ve always come back out.

"I always say it, all we’ve done is got ourselves off the canvas and back in the fight. We can’t keep getting knocked down. We’ve got to keep stepping forward, we’ve got to put a run together and a combination of results together to really start putting the pressure on other teams around us.

"The last couple of games we’ve shown the right credentials, but we’re also haunted by the previous results before that.

"Football serves a quick reminder if you ever get too far ahead of yourself.

"We have a mammoth game in front of us. Bolton Wanderers; what a big football club that is.

"Another manager who has done very well and plays a very distinct style. It’s another tough challenge."

Bolton are aiming for their third successive win tomorrow having seen off Stevenage and Mansfield in their past two outings.

The 3-2 win against the Stags on Wednesday was particularly impressive, coming from 2-0 down in the last 15 minutes.

A club the size of the Trotters, the ambition would have been challenging for promotion this season, something which is still mathematically possible despite sitting in 11th currently.

"Ian’s in their to change a culture, a bit like myself, and those things take time,” Molesley added.

"If you look at all the teams near the top of the league, those are the ones who have had the most consistency in their managers and team in the last two, three or four seasons.

"Ian’s building something and he has a distinct way of playing but sometimes it takes time to put the foundations in for that.

"What they have got is a very able squad, a talented manager and a talented squad. They’re in the process of transition as a club, a bit like ourselves.

"They’re certainly a quality side so we’re going to have a real tough game ahead of us.”

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Mark Molesley talks to Chris Phillips at the Echo before today’s game with Bolton Wanderers

Southend United boss Mark Molesley sets sights on 'mammoth match' with Bolton Wanderers

Facing a big game - Southend United host Bolton Wanderers this weekend​

Southend United boss Mark Molesley feels the Shrimpers are facing a ‘mammoth game’ with Bolton Wanderers tomorrow.

Blues have worked their way out of the relegation zone and up to 22nd in the League Two table after picking up four of the last six points on offer.

But Molesley is keen to keep the good run going against the Trotters who are currently 11th in the table and have won three of their last four games.

“It’s a mammoth game coming up against Bolton Wanderers and what a big football club that is,” said Molesley.

“They have a manager in Ian Evatt who has done very well and plays a distinctive style.

“It’s a very tough challenge for us and one we have to be ready for.”

The Shrimpers will be heading into the game on a high after drawing 0-0 at table-topping Cambridge United last time out.

The share of the spoils followed a 1-0 win at promotion chasing Newport County.

And Molesley is hoping the recent results will have Blues buoyed up this weekend.

“We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us and some very hard games coming up but we can definitely be buoyed by the attitude and mentality and the resilience the boys have shown to bounce back from a tough time for us,” said Molesley.

“We had to get back up and whatever has been thrown at us this season we’ve come back out fighting.

“Whenever people have started to write us off we’ve come back out.

“But all we’ve done is got ourselves back off the canvas and in the fight.

“We can’t keep getting knocked down.

“We have to step forward now and put a run together to really start putting the pressure on teams around us and try to catch some too.”

Bolton and Blues were both relegated from League One last season and Molesley feels both sides are still trying to rebuild.

“Ian (Evatt) has gone in to Bolton to change the culture, a bit like myself and it takes time,” said Molesley.

“If you look at the teams nearer the top of the League it’s the ones who have had the most consistency with their manager and teams in the past two or three seasons.

“Ian is building something at Bolton and it takes times to get the foundations put down.

“But they have a very talented squad and manager and they’re in a process of transition as a club, like ourselves.

“They’re a quality side and it will be a really tough game ahead for ourselves.”

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The Big Preview

Southend United vs Bolton Wanderers

​

Overview

Southend United return to Roots Hall for the first time in over three weeks as they welcome in-form Bolton Wanderers to Essex tomorrow afternoon in League Two.

Confidence will be high in the Blues camp thanks to a recent upturn in form which saw Mark Molesley’s side climb out of the relegation zone last weekend for the first time since October.

Those performances and back-to-back clean sheets against two promotion-chasing sides should give Southend a huge shot in the arm ahead of another tough clash against Ian Evatt’s Wanderers.

Form

Blues impressed last time out in a 0-0 draw away at the League Two leaders Cambridge United, with the point enough to see Southend climb out of the bottom two.

That draw against the U’s came right off the back of a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Newport which ended a four-game winless run for Mark Molesley’s side.

Bolton have lost just one of their last six matches and are unbeaten in their last four with wins against Mansfield, Stevenage and Leyton Orient seeing them climb into the top half of the table.

Last Meeting

Saturday 28th November 2020

Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Southend United

Nathan Delfouneso 45’, Doyle (p)65’, 81

Bolton handed Blues a comfortable 3-0 defeat the last time these two sides met back in November with a second-half brace from striker Eoin Doyle sealing the victory for the Trotters.

Southend were undone right on half-time as Nathan Delfouneso headed the home side in front before Doyle grabbed two, one from the spot and one from close range late on.

From The Boss

"We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us and some tough games coming up.

"But we can be buoyed by the attitude, mentality and resilience the boys have shown to bounce back from a tough time for us. That two weeks was probably the toughest time for us that we’d felt during our campaign.

"We had to get back up and fight again, and the boys have shown that resilience throughout the season. Whatever has been thrown at them, they’ve come back out fighting. When people started to write us off, we’ve always come back out.

"I always say it, all we’ve done is got ourselves off the canvas and back in the fight. We can’t keep getting knocked down. We’ve got to keep stepping forward, put a run together and a combination of results together to really start putting the pressure on other teams around us.

"The last couple of games we’ve shown the right credentials, but we’re also haunted by the previous results before that.

"Football serves a quick reminder if you ever get too far ahead of yourself.

"We have a mammoth game in front of us. Bolton Wanderers; what a big Football Club that is.

"Another manager [Ian Evatt] who has done very well and plays a very distinct style of football. It’s another tough challenge.”

Blues Team News

The signings of both midfielder Ricky Holmes and striker Nile Ranger yesterday have given boss Mark Molesley some added options ahead of the visit of Bolton tomorrow.

Ranger, though, is unlikely to feature as he continues his recovery from a slight calf problem, but Holmes is fit and available for selection and will be pushing for a debut appearance.

Simeon Akinola is also fit after being forced off with concussion late into the draw with Cambridge last weekend, with the striker passing all the necessary concussion protocols.

Midfielder Alan McCormack is back available after playing 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors game in the week which also featured Jacob Mellis, who’s back after illness.

Wingers Terrell Egbri and James Olayinka are both closing in on a return from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively, but neither are likely to feature on Saturday.

Bolton Dangerman

Tomorrow’s visitors have plenty of attacking threats, but one that may fly under the radar is wing-back Declan John who is so far enjoying his time with the Trotters on loan from Swansea.

The 25-year-old Wales international joined in January and has made an immediate impact, scoring the winner against Stevenage and scoring the first goal in Bolton’s comeback win at Mansfield.

John primarily plays out on the left with his pace, quality and finishing ability adding to Bolton’s already bloated attacking threat, and he’ll be one to look out for tomorrow afternoon.

Ref Watch

Declan Bourne will be the man in charge at Roots Hall on Saturday, being assisted by Paul Lister and Paul Kelly, while Anthony Da Costa sits in as the fourth official.

Bourne has overseen 20 matches so far this season, showing 56 yellow cards and no reds to date, with his last appointment being the 1-0 win for MK Dons at Hull last weekend.

Saturday will be Bourne’s second Southend game of the season having already officiated Blues’ 0-0 draw away at Stevenage back in December.

iFollow Blues

With fans not able to attend Roots Hall in person, Blues supporters can watch tomorrow’s game with Bolton 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.

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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Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Bolton Wanderers Team

 

[The Big Dady]

Demetriou and Hackett-Fairchild start

Holmes on the bench

McCormack back in the squad

No Brandon Goodship, Greg Halford, or Nile Ranger.

 

[Shrimper Brownie]

What formation is that exactly?

 

[Worcester Shrimper64]

What formation is that exactly?

Who knows?? Do you really think he wants to win this game?? Very strange again!!

 

[Flinty]

4 3 3 or 4 5 1 Sim up top...our usual formation I would expect

 

[Boreham Blue]

Guessing a 433

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Demi in for Taylor and RHF in for Aquah.

 

[Tommy2holes]

Why does he continually tinker with a winning formula?

He seems to be a data led manager and sets us up to counter opposition. Let's just play our own game and let Bolton worry about us.

Demetriou has been poor and gets a start.
Hackett fair child has been poor and gets a start.
Acquah had his best game for us last time out and gets dropped.

This looks like another game we are trying not to lose rather than going for the win.

 

[southendkid]

What formation is that exactly?

Looks like our usual 4-3-3 to me:

Oxley
Elvis White Hobson Clifford
Dieng Ferguson Demitriou
ANG RHF Akinola

(Possibly RHF and Akinola will switch positions, I think they've both played on the wing this season)

 

[dannypav]

I see it as 4-2-3-1

ox
Elvis , JW , Hobson , Clifford
Ferguson, JD
Reeco, Dieng , ANG
Akinola

 

[Barling Magna]

Guessing a 433

Yes, looks like a 433 to me as well.

 

[Bratislava Blue]

Can someone please give me a rational explanation why JD is starting in this game? We had a very strong midfield last weekend. We have now inserted a weak link into the midfield. What does he bring to the midfield that was missing last weekend?

 

[Worcester Shrimper64]

Why does he continually tinker with a winning formula?

He seems to be a data led manager and sets us up to counter opposition. Let's just play our own game and let Bolton worry about us.

Demetriou has been poor and gets a start.
Hackett fair child has been poor and gets a start.
Acquah had his best game for us last time out and gets dropped.

This looks like another game we are trying not to lose rather than going for the win.

Going for another clean sheet at both ends.

 

[MisterStubbs]

I’m guessing it’s a 4-3-3 which I’m more than happy with. We’ve certainly got more than enough attacking threat in this lineup to cause Bolton all sorts of problems.

 

[hlane17]

Acquah didn't deserve to get dropped IMO. He could have built upon last week's performance

 

[Clarky176]

4-3-3.

Macca not fit enough to start, Holmes the same.

Perhaps Acquah deserved a start but perhaps its tactical, as Bolton aren't a long ball team from what I understand.

JD in as more defensive that Taylor.

 

[MisterStubbs]

Who knows?? Do you really think he wants to win this game?? Very strange again!!

Do you think he wants to lose then?

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Come on you Shrimpers...