Official Match Thread Southend United v Bradford City

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

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

Our 14th League Two match at home is against Bradford City


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 14th Southend United League two Home Team of the 2020/21 season



The Roots Hall pitch looks fantastic and is ready for action at 7.00pm Tuesday 26th January 2021 against Bradford City. It looks like it is going to be overcast this evening with the chance of some light rain with a moderate breeze at Roots Hall.





Here is the weather forecast for this evening at Roots Hall



Current League home record after 13 home games

Won 4
Dawn 1
Lost 8
Goals scored 11
Goals conceded 19

League Positions Last Season

22nd (2019/20 Season) League One Southend United (Relegated)
9th (2019/20 Season) League Two Bradford City

League Positions Current Season

20th (2020/21 Season) League Two Bradford City
24th (2020/21 Season) League Two Southend United

Recent League Position Change



Previous Five Meetings

Bradford City 3-0 Southend United (L2 03/11/20 Att. 0 Covid)
Bradford City 0-4 Southend United (L2 19/01/19 Att. 15,517)
Southend United 2-0 Bradford City (L2 18/08/18 Att. 6,295)
Bradford City 0-2 Southend United (L2 28/04/18 Att. 19,960)
Southend United 1-2 Bradford City (L2 16/12/17 Att. 6,097)

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 13
Draws: 13
Bradford City Wins: 17

Current Form

Bradford City D W W W D D
Southend United W L W D L L


Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Southend United

Mark Molesley talked to the OS before today’s game with Bradford City

Southend United Manager Mark Molesley ​

I would firstly like to wish you all a very good evening and I trust you are keeping safe and well.

I am writing these notes prior to our game against Mansfield Town due to print deadlines and after the defeat to Cambridge United, which ended our four-game winning run at home.

We were desperate to keep the good run going at Roots Hall and at half time were well on course to do so after a near-dominant performance in the first half.

It was a classic game of two halves and we momentarily switched off for their goals which was frustrating, but if we are being critical, we needed to show a bit more guile going forward in the second half and that was disappointing.

After the game it’s easy to look at the result and get discouraged but that would be forgetting the first half where we were in the ascendency against one of the top teams in the league. We have to stay positive, show our character again and bounce back and that comes through hard work, brutally analysing everything and sticking together as a group.

We will be ready to go again this evening against a Bradford side who haven’t played much of late due to several postponements. They could be either really fresh after some time off and work on the training ground or they could be lacking some sharpness; whatever turns out to be the case is not something we can concern ourselves too much about. What we have to do is just concentrate on putting in a big effort and sticking to our principles.

Since we last played Bradford they’ve had a change in management and Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars have taken interim charge. They’ve been active in this transfer window and have a lot of new players so we are expecting another tough game.

I want to sign-off on a positive note and it is was superb to hear that the Shrimpers Trust-led Christmas Appeal on behalf of “Off The Streets” which the players and staff donated towards had a far-reaching impact! In total over £2,000 was raised and the generosity of not just the players but the Shrimpers Trust and the Southend United supporters has helped to ensure that over 40 nights of safe/warm accommodation was made available to rough sleepers during these tough winter months. This shows what we can do when we come together. As a club it’s important we give back to the community who give us so much and we will continue checking in with a great local charity in the months and hopefully years ahead.

Thank you for all your continued support. We know you are following the games and continuing to get behind us from home, and we really do hope that before too long we’ll feel the support in person again to give us that extra edge.

Enjoy the game!


Link to interview
Link


Mark Molesley talks to Chris Phillips at the Echo before today’s game with Bradford City

Southend United boss Mark Molesley can't wait for 'big challenge' against in-form Bradford City

Tough test - Southend United take on Bradford City at Roots Hall on Tuesday night​

Mark Molesley insists Southend United cannot wait to take on another of League Two’s most in-form teams on Tuesday night.

The bottom of the table Shrimpers host Bradford City, who are unbeaten in their last six matches, at Roots Hall tomorrow evening.

But, after suffering back to back defeats, Molesley cannot wait for Blues to get back in action as they bid to again work their way off the foot of the League Two table.

“Bradford need no introduction, said Molesley.

“They’re a huge club and they gave us a really tough first half at their place earlier on in the season.

“They’re on a great run of form, just like Mansfield were as well.

“It’s another big challenge for us but we have to dust ourselves off after Saturday and get back at it so the game can’t come quickly enough really.

“There are fine lines in football and we’ve been the other side of it unfortunately in the last couple of games.

“We have to make sure we push on and react quickly to get that win.”

Despite their recent improvements Bradford remain 20th in the table, five points above Blues.

Link to full story
Link

The Big Preview​

Southend United vs Bradford City

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Overview

Southend United are back in action once again as they welcome Bradford City to Roots Hall this evening looking to end their recent run of home matches with a victory.

The Bantams though will provide another stern test for Mark Molesley’s side with the visitors boasting an impressive defensive record of late, conceding just twice in their last six games.

And with tonight being yet another opportunity for Blues to climb out of the relegation zone with a win, Molesley and his Blues will be hoping it’ll be third time lucky under the lights in Essex.

Form

Saturday’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Mansfield was Blues’ second in succession and came off the back of a 2-1 defeat against table-topping Cambridge United last Tuesday.

Those two results combined with a 0-0 draw at Grimsby means Southend are without a win in their last three, with Blues picking up two wins and a draw from their last six outings.

Tonight’s visitors, however, are unbeaten in their last six thanks to three wins and three draws, though their last two fixtures have ended in 0-0 stalemates against Port Vale and Cambridge.

Last Meeting

Tuesday 3rd November 2020

Bradford City 3-0 Southend United

Cooke 5’, Watt 33’, Pritchard 43’

A first-half blitz from the Bantams secured a comfortable 3-0 win against Southend the last time these two sides met back in November at the Utilita Energy Stadium.

Callum Cooke fired Bradford in front in the fifth minute before Elliot Watt drilled in a second. Harry Pritchard then nodded in the Bantams third to wrap up the victory in Yorkshire.

From The Boss

"They are in a great run of form just as Mansfield were so it’s another big challenge but one we’ve got to make sure we dust ourselves off from Saturday and get back up on the horse as quickly as possible.

"The game can’t come quick enough from that point of view. Fine lines in football, we’ve been the other side of that slightly in the last two games and we’ve got to make sure we push on, react quickly and get that win.

"We’ve got to patch ourselves up. Very rarely are you at your strongest in football and it certainly hasn’t happened so far for us, but it’s what you do when you’re missing a few players which shows your character and resolve."

Blues Team News

Tyler Cordner’s signing on loan from Bournemouth boosts Blues’ defensive options with the 22-year-old available if deemed ready and called upon by Mark Molesley.

Late decisions will need to be made on both Elvis Bwomono and Greg Halford after both limped off on Saturday against Mansfield with back and shoulder problems, respectively.

Alan McCormack was another that had to be withdrawn against the Stags at the weekend with a calf problem which is expected to keep the experienced midfielder out for a few weeks.

James Olayinka, Harry Lennon, Nathan Ralph and Lewis Gard are all long term absentees.

Brandon Goodship and Terrell Egbri are closer to returning but not in time to be in the squad against the Bantams.

Jason Demetriou missed Saturday's game against Mansfield but is expected to return after a small injection in his knee.

Timothee Dieng serves a one-match suspension for his sending off on Saturday.

Bradford Dangerman

Bradford’s most recent recruit, Danny Rowe is certainly one that Blues players and fans alike need to keep a close eye on this evening after the striker signed from Oldham last week.

The Bantams beat off several other clubs to secure the frontman’s signature and Rowe joins with quite a reputation for his goalscoring exploits, especially during his time at AFC Fylde.

The 30-year-old scored 189 times in 290 appearances for the National League side and has some spectacular goals to his name, so he’s one Blues can’t afford to give any time and space to tonight.

Ref Watch

Trevor Kettle will be the man in the middle this evening, being assisted by Damith Bandara and Conor Farrell while Gareth Viccars fills in as the fourth official.

Kettle took charge of Blues three times last season, with his last Southend game being a 1-0 defeat at home to Gillingham last February.

This season, Kettle has officiated 18 games in which he has shown 50 yellow cards and no reds, with the Rutland referee last seen in Portsmouth’s 4-0 win against AFC Wimbledon at Fratton Park.

iFollow Blues

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


Link to full story
Link

Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Bradford City Team

 

[Danshrimper]

Great to see Elvis is fit enough to start. The starting lineup is good but the bench looks very weak. Shows how desperately we need to strengthen.

 

[Clarky176]

Looks like a 3-4-3 to me

 

[ESG]

Whats happened to Louis Walsh?

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Hmm, back line looks strong..
Three up top.
Not much to link the play?
But who have we got for those positions available?

 

[sufc4life21]

Whats happened to Louis Walsh?

Good question.

 

[Shrimper]

Whats happened to Louis Walsh?

Guessing injured

 

[Chalky]

Tad surprised to see Sam Hart starting again, thought he has been poor past couple games and has played a lot of football.

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Oxley
White Hobson Cordner
Bwomono Hart
Demi Taylor
ANG. RHF
Akinola

5-2-2-1 ?

 

[Jay_SUFC]

oh good, 5 at the back!!!

 

[Whispering Bob]

"The pitch looks fantastic" ?
Elvis starts ?
New boy straight in?
3-5-2 (with Reeco up top) ?

So many questions, so many concerns, but.....C'MON YOU BLUE BOYS !!!

 

[Chalky]

Also agree with the Louis Walsh mystery as well, why sign him if he is nowhere near the matchday squad? MM says "one for the future" so is Howard and Stewart but they both make the bench..?

But anyway lets go Blue Boysss

 

[Mad Cyril]

Dieng is a big loss.

 

[MisterStubbs]

Another chance for us to move out of the relegation places tonight, especially now that the Barrow vs Grimsby game is off. A win tonight puts pressure on the latter purely because of the points on the board. We've not been able to take the past three opportunities to do just that but tonight could be the night. Come on you Blues!

 

[Shrimpet steve]

I like this lineup! Looks attacking !! We need 3 points tonight! Come on blues

 

[OrangeyBrown]

5 at the back against Cambridge - Created numerous chances and should have won.

4 at the back against Mansfield - Dominated and fully deserved to lose.

Hopefully we can get our pressing game going again today, and it's good to see ANG start.

 

[dannypav]

Hmm, back line looks strong..
Three up top.
Not much to link the play?
But who have we got for those positions available?

Thought Taylor linked play well against Col U - Diengs goal ?
But I do get your point.
If / when Demi and / or Taylor run out of steam , we are light in midfield without Macca , Dieng or Olayinka.
Can Hobson play in there if needed ?
Not optimistic about tonight but hopefully our front three can be lively and keep them on their toes.
A few weeks ago we were starting to have ‘selection dilemmas’ each game , but that has changed very quickly

 

[tottenham541]

Nothing other than three points will do us today.