Official Match Thread Southend United v Burton Albion

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we are the sixteenth League One home game of the 2019/20 season and Sol Campbell’s ninth league home game in charge as manager of the Mighty Shrimpers.

Our sixteenth One match at home is against Burton Albion


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

Sol Campbell’s 9th Southend United League One Home Team of the 2019/20 season



The Roots Hall pitch looks fantastic and is ready for action at 3.00pm Saturday 22nd February 2020 against Burton Albion. It looks like we are going to have a windy afternoon at Roots Hall with gusty winds and some possible sunny intervals. It will still feel cold so wrap up warm everyone.



Here is the weather forecast for this evening at Roots Hall



Current League home record after 15 home games

Won 1
Drawn 4
Lost 10
Goals scored 13
Goals conceded 38

League Positions Last Season

9th (2018/19 Season) League One Burton Albion
19th (2018/19 Season) League One Southend United

League Positions Current Season

12h (2019/20 Season) League One Burton Albion
22nd (2019/20 Season) League One Southend United

Recent League Position Change



Previous Five Meetings

Burton Albion 1-1 Southend United (L1 03/12/19 Att. 1,880)
Southend United 3-2 Burton Albion (L1 22/04/19 Att. 6,169)
Burton Albion 1-2 Southend United (L1 02/10/18 Att. 2,149)
Southend United 3-1 Burton Albion (L1 22/02/16 Att. 6,503)
Burton Albion 1-0 Southend United (L1 03/10/15 Att. 2,948)

Head to Head record​

Southend United Wins: 6
Draws: 4
Burton Albion Wins: 7


Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Burton Albion

Burton Albion Manager Nigel Clough talks to their OS before travelling to Roots Hall

Burton Albion’s Manager Nigel Clough​

Nigel Clough is targeting a clean sheet at Southend after citing defensive errors as the main thing holding his team back this season.

The Brewers have kept the opposition out only twice on their League One travels this season and conceded four at Ipswich last Saturday.

The Brewers manager said: “It has been a long a time since we had a clean sheet away from the Pirelli and that’s why we are where we are in the league, so a clean sheet away from home is the foundation we need.

“We think we will create chances and score goals, it’s just defensively where we are not being as secure as we want to be.”

A trip to struggling Southend might seem like a good opportunity but Clough says the Shrimpers are playing better than their results suggest and have become harder to beat since Sol Campbell came in as manager at the end of October.

Clough said: “It might seem like an opportunity, but they will be looking the same at us and saying this team haven’t won for six games so it’s a good chance to get a win. Every game is an opportunity to get three points, but our confidence has been dented in the last six matches with not getting a victory even though it’s only two defeats and we have payed quite well over the course of those games.”

Clough admits that his team is missing the experience of the injured John-Joe O’Toole and Jake Buxton at the heart of the defence.

He said: “It shows how important John-Joe is in that he has featured in every clean sheet we have had. We certainly need to do everything we can to get him on the pitch. When you lose both him and Jake, we look more vulnerable. On Saturday, John Brayford apart, it was a very inexperienced back four to go to Ipswich and the way their strikers played would have caused anyone problems.”

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Southend

Sol Campbell talks to Southend United OS before today’s game with Burton Albion

Southend United Manager Sol Campbell​

Sol Campbell says the last few weeks were a learning curve for the squad.

Blues have not won in their last four games but have gone into half-time in each of their last three with the score 0-0.

There have been 10 first team debuts from Academy players throughout this season and Campbell says it’s a about learning and growing from these experiences.

“For us it’s a big learning curve,” he said. “It’s been pretty tough having all the Academy players we’re trying out.

“It’s been a process finding which players can fit in and last. It’s been a nice way of doing things, but it hasn’t always worked.

“We’ve got a few guys in there who can go again and that’s the main thing, go again. It’s all about recovering to go again.

Campbell added: “It’s a learning curve for me too, having so many injuries and not being able to bring anyone in while also losing players.

“You could go to any manager and they would struggle if you took three or four of their main starters out. We’ve lost about 10 players through injuries or being sold.

“I’m here working and trying to get things moving. I’m working day to day to make sure we can compete in every game and try to win some games before the end of the season.”

Ahead of facing Burton Albion at Roots Hall on Saturday afternoon, the Blues boss said: “The last game was a bit of a battle and some of the players will have learnt a lot from it. They wouldn’t have had that type of game before, especially in the Academy.

“It was an old-fashioned back to front game. Some of the young players really stood up and grew. But this game will be totally different.

“It’s more of a footballing game and you will need to be nippy and quick and pass the ball.

“Burton are a passing side who move the ball quickly. We will have to be up for that and penetrate more in the final third.

“We’ve got to get a bit of luck in front of goal and have more conviction. We had a couple of chances against Gillingham and hopefully we can stick one of them away and win this game.

“I want the players to work hard and express themselves. But I want them to enjoy football.

“That’s where we are at the moment and we can’t ask for anymore.”

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Sol Campbell talks to Chris Phillips at the Echo before today’s game with Burton Albion

Southend United boss Sol Campbell hopes to have Brandon Goodship and Jason Demetriou back against Burton


Available - Southend United defender Jason Demetriou​

Southend United manager Sol Campbell hopes to have both Brandon Goodship and Jason Demetriou back for tomorrow’s clash with Burton Albion.

Goodship missed Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat to Gillingham with an ankle injury while Campbell opted to rest Demetriou due to an ongoing knee problem.

But Campbell could have them available again at the weekend.

“Hopefully there’s enough time for Brandon to get back for Saturday,” said Campbell.

“Hopefully his ankle won’t cause him many problems going forwards.

He should be OK but he needs to train.

“JD has played a lot of games and we just wanted to rotate the players and the personnel.

“But everyone will be utilised and will be rotating for Saturday.”

The Shrimpers were boosted by the return of defenders Harry Kyprianou and Joe Shaughnessy against the Gills.

But Campbell must now decide how best to use them about the Brewers.

“We will decide who will play and go from there, said the 45-year-old.

“It was a big ask for Harry because he’s been out for such a long time but he did well to get through.

“There will be rustiness and that’s normal but the more he plays the better he will get.”

Kyprianou came back into the starting line-up after 15 months on the sidelines with an Achilles problem while Shaughnessy - who had been out since November with a knee injury - played the final 15 minutes.

And Campbell is happy to have the Irishman back in action.

“He added a bit of height we’ve been lacking and it’s nice to get some of the players back,” said Campbell.

“He looked sharp and we’re working really hard so it’s nice to see some players coming back.”

But Campbell is still short of options.

“Other teams have the luxury of fully loaded squads and experienced players with some youngsters here and there,” said Campbell.

“We don’t have that luxury so we have to work harder but we want to win some games and get some draws.”

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Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

The Big Preview​

Southend United vs Burton Albion
​

Overview

Blues are back at Roots Hall for the third time in eight days as they welcome Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion to Essex tomorrow afternoon.

Following defeats to Coventry and Gillingham, Southend will be desperate to end their week on a high as they go in search of vital points to help keep their survival hopes alive.

The Brewers, comfortably clear of the danger zone but 10 points off the top six, have been struggling of late but a win for the visitors could help them start off a late push for the play-off places.

Form

Tuesday night’s defeat to Gillingham extended Southend’s losing run to four matches coming off the back of defeats to Blackpool, Peterborough and Coventry.

Blues have just the three league wins all season, with their last victory coming at the start of February where they beat Lincoln City 2-1 at Roots Hall.

Burton are without a win in their last six, losing two and drawing four, and they come into the weekend off the back of a 4-1 defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Their recent record at Roots Hall is also unfavourable, having not won in their past five visits in all competitions, drawing two and losing three.

Last Meeting

Tuesday 3rd December 2019

Burton Albion 1-1 Southend United

Fraser 49’; McLaughlin 21’

Blues picked up their first point under Sol Campbell with a 1-1 draw against Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium as Stephen McLaughlin’s goal was cancelled out by Scott Fraser’s free-kick.

McLaughlin headed the visitors in front before John-Joe O’Toole was sent off. Blues though couldn’t make their man advantage count as Fraser’s free-kick secured a point for the Brewers.

Blues Team News

Patrik Gunnarsson is set to start in goal for Blues after joining on an emergency loan from Brentford following confirmation that Mark Oxley will be out for a number of weeks with a thigh injury.

Brandon Goodship was absent Tuesday night with an ankle injury and he’s pushing for a return as is Jason Demetriou who’s been rested for the last two matches.

Blues were boosted by the return of Joe Shaughnessy and Harry Kyprianou on Tuesday night, though they’ll continue to be without Stephen Humphrys, John White and Harry Lennon amongst others.

Burton Dangerman

Despite the team’s poor recent form, there’s been one standout player for Burton in the last six games and that’s Rangers loanee Jamie Murphy who is certainly the one to watch on Saturday.

The 30-year-old midfielder has found a new lease of life at the Pirelli Stadium, scoring four goals and claiming one assist in his opening six appearances for Burton since joining on loan in January.

Team-mate John Brayford described Murphy as a “special player” in a recent interview and Burton will no doubt be looking to give him as much of the ball as possible at the weekend.

Ref Watch

Craig Hicks will be in charge of his third Southend game of the season on Saturday, being assisted by Leigh Crowhurst and Stuart Butler, with Nigel Lugg in as the fourth official.

It’ll be Hicks’ first visit to Roots Hall since January 2019, having officiated Blues’ opening league game away to Coventry and their New Year’s Day game at AFC Wimbledon.

This season, Hicks has taken charge of 25 games, issuing 76 yellows and four reds, and was last seen in the middle of Portsmouth’s dramatic late Leasing.com Trophy win over Exeter on Tuesday.

Tickets

Prices will be subject to their standard increase on matchday with tickets available right up until kick-off, and you can find out more information about ticket availability and pricing by clicking here.


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Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Burton Albion team

 

[Ricey]

O’Toole is playing for Burton.

He’ll either score or get sent off.

 

[Clarky176]

It’ll be his normal 4-2-3-1, that’ll turn into a 4-5-1

 

[Ricey]

I’d like to have seen Hutchinson and Rush start.

 

[Ricey]

Demi is fit and available for selection but not in the squad.

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Too many defensive players on the pitch. What is there to lose we are down anyway go and give it a go Sol. Two up top at the very least.

 

[rayleigh dan]

No idea how we'll line up formation wise but it sounds like a very defense minded starting 11. I can only see Macca and perhaps Egbri providing any service for Kelman. Hope I'm wrong but can't see us scoring.

 

[The Big Dady]

Official Team Sheet

 

[Smith]

We really need to play two up top. On Tuesday Kelman has no support.

Also surprised Demi that in the team let alone the squad!!

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

I hope I am proved wrong but Mantom & Dieng has, imo never been a good pairing.

 

[euroshrimper]

Come on Southend and Sol, forget the crap of this week behind the scenes and once again play for the shirt and make us proud once more. Our support for the Club from the fans this week has been immense, once a Shrimper always a Shrimper........

 

[Andy_S]

Very, very surprised that Egbri continues to keep his place. He’s been the one youngster that’s struggled with his introduction to league football.

Hopefully Shaughnessy shows why we were so eager to sign him in the summer.

 

[united we stand]

Would have preferred dieng and shaunassey at the back and thought Clifford and kyps did well- maybe to soon for kyps after Tuesday

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

And today’s surprise.. Egbri starting .. Demi nowhere to be seen. Wonder why?

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Is Dieng at the back or in midfield?

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Demi can’t be fit surely? He was the catalyst for our slightly improved form over Dec and Jan?

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United manager Sol Campbell has made two changes to his starting line-up for this afternoon's clash with Burton Albion.

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