Official Match Thread Southend United v Forest Green Rovers

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

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

Our 7th League Two match at home is against Forest Green Rovers





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 7th 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 24th November 2020 against Forest Green Rovers. It looks like we are going to have a overcast evening at Roots Hall with a moderate breeze.



Here is the weather forecast for this evening at Roots Hall



Current League home record after 6 home games

Won 0
Dawn 1
Lost 5
Goals scored 3
Goals conceded 14

League Positions Last Season

22nd (2019/20 Season) League One Southend United (Relegated)
10th (2019/20 Season) League Two Forest Green Rovers

League Positions Current Season

5th (2020/21 Season) League Two Forest Green Rovers
24th (2020/21 Season) League Two Southend United

Recent League Position Change



Previous Meetings

Southend United have never played Forest Green Rovers before.

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 0
Draws: 0
Forest Green Rovers Wins: 0


Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Forest Green Rovers

Forest Green Rovers Manager Mark Cooper talks to the FGR OS before travelling to Roots Hall

Forest Green Rovers manager Mark Cooper​

Forest Green Rovers make a second long trip in the space of four days this evening, as they travel to Southend United for a 7pm kick off.

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Mark Cooper’s men will be looking to take inspiration from Nicky Cadden’s stunning equaliser on Saturday afternoon, as they face a Covid-struck Shrimpers side at Roots Hall.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the game

“There needs to be a clear rule. If you’ve got a certain number of proven cases of the virus then you can call it off. We had six players out with issues against Stevenage and we were told we had to play,” said Mark Cooper.

“We want to play, and we want three points. We’re looking forward to it and are glad it’s on.

“You’re only as good as your last game, and Southend’s last game was a win at Walsall which is a tough place to go. They’ll be full of confidence.”

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Southend United

Mark Molesley talks to Southend United OS before today’s game with Forest Green Rovers

Southend United Manager Mark Molesley​

Southend United Manager sat down on Monday afternoon to discuss tonight’s game against Forest Green Rovers.

The Blues boss also explained the reasoning behind the Cambridge United postponement and his disappointment that it couldn’t go ahead.

On the postponement of the Cambridge game…

"It was really frustrating [the game couldn’t go ahead against Cambridge].

"You finally feel that you've broken the tide a bit with the win and clean sheet [against Walsall] and we were really looking forward to building on that but unfortunately Covid, coupled with some other injuries which have come up as well, meant we couldn’t field a team.

"It’s frustrating but we’ve managed to test some scholars so we can fulfil the fixture [against Forest Green]."

On why Forest Green can go ahead but Cambridge couldn’t…

"Harry Kyprianou has come back from his loan so that’s one more into the building. We're able to test some of the scholars so they can come in and another player has finished his self-isolation so that’s opened up our subs bench, because we wouldn’t have been able to put anyone on the bench on Saturday.

"But it still leaves us drastically short, but that's been our luck since we’ve been here.

"It seems one step forward and two steps back sometimes in trying to get our most experienced players on to the pitch at one time. We haven’t been able to do that yet.

"In hardships comes great opportunity, a lot of areas for growth. We can't get down about it.

"We’ve got a big game to prepare for against a very good side and we’ve got some very good players available for that."

On the EFL investigation…

"They will investigate every game that is called off.

"We definitely didn’t want the game off. We’ve got doctors notes, surgeons notes, players long-term injured, positive test results from Covid as well as others needing to self-isolate [due to their proximity].

"We’ve got nothing to hide, we desperately wanted the game on but unfortunately our numbers dipped below a level that you could safely put the game on."

On the first ever meeting between Southend and Forest Green…

"It’s going to be a tough challenge. I’ve got the utmost respect for Forest Green.

"They play a lovely brand of football. A very good side in possession so we’ve got to be at our very best, as we have to every week.

"There’s some big challenges but we should be in confident mood that we showed a good performance and got a win and clean sheet in our last game. There’s something to build on for ourselves."

On James Olayinka’s fitness…

"It’s going to be a late fitness test for James. He was unavailable for the weekend and hasn’t trained much so we’ll have to see how that one goes.

"We’re liaising with Arsenal on that one and our physios here to come up with the best scenario but we’re hopeful."

On those who tested positive…

"They’re going to be missing for the next two games.

"The scholars will have to come in, Kyps has come back from his loan and we might have one injury that will clear up which will allow us to field a team and substitutes."

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Mark Molesley talks to Chris Phillips at the Echo before today’s game with Forest Green Rovers

Southend United ‘drastically short’ of players for match with Forest Green Rovers

Short of options - Mark Molesley has a depleted squad for tonight's clash with Forest Green Rovers​

Southend United manager Mark Molesley remains ‘drastically short’ of players for tonight’s match with Forest Green Rovers at Roots Hall.

The game will go ahead despite the Shrimpers having to postpone Saturday’s clash with Cambridge United.

But Molesley will not have too many options to pick from.

“We’re drastically short but that seems to have been our luck since we’ve been here,” said Molesley.

“It seems to be one step forward and two steps back at times with trying to get our most experienced players onto the pitch at the same time.

“We haven’t quite been able to do that yet but in hardship comes a lot of opportunity and we can’t get down about it.

“It’s a big game against a good side but we do still have some very good players available.”

Blues will definitely be without strikers Kazaiah Sterling and Emile Acquah along with winger Ashley Nathaniel-George due to coronavirus restrictions.

Harry Lennon has now been forced back onto the sidelines with knee problem which is likely to keep him out for a significant period of time while on loan midfielder Kyle Taylor is still out with a hamstring problem.

Nathan Ralph and Lewis Gard are both out with cruciate ligament injuries but the long list of absentees will hand opportunities to other members of the squad.

Molesley added: "It’s a tough one to take. In frustrating moments comes great opportunities for other people. Tonight certainly presents that."

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The Big Preview

Southend United vs Forest Green Rovers

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Overview

Southend United make their belated return to Roots Hall this evening as they entertain Mark Cooper’s Forest Green Rovers in a first-ever meeting between the two sides.

Rovers will become the third team this season to face Blues for the first time and Southend will hope it’ll be third time lucky after defeats to Salford and Harrogate in previous first-time meetings.

And after an impromptu weekend off due to a combination of COVID-19 and injuries, Mark Molesley’s side will be keen to get back to work in search of another first of the season, a home win.

Form

Blues’ last outing against the Saddlers was Southend’s first maximum of the season and was just reward after a battling display up in the West Midlands in difficult conditions.

Victory at the Bank’s Stadium also ended Blues’ losing run which had seen them lose their previous six league games as well as suffer defeats in two cup competitions.

Forest Green are currently on a sticky run of form with no wins in their last four in all competitions, having won six of their eight games prior to this most recent run.

Last Meeting

First-Ever Meeting

From The Boss

"It’s going to be a tough challenge. I’ve got the utmost respect for Forest Green.

"They play a lovely brand of football. A very good side in possession so we’ve got to be at our very best, as we have to every week.

"There’s some big challenges but we should be in a confident mood after we showed a good performance and got a win and clean sheet in our last game. There’s something to build on for ourselves."

Blues Team News

Mark Molesley will have some juggling to do to his matchday squad this evening with a number of players still missing.

Harry Lennon is set to be out for several months as he undergoes surgery on a knee injury as well as a known calf injury which the battling centre-back had been playing through the pain barrier with.

His absence opens the door for Elvis Bwomono to slot back into the side after Shaun Hobson expertly deputised at right-back while Bwomono was on international duty with Uganda.

Blues continue to be without three players due to positive Covid-19 tests and having to self-isolate, however Kenny Coker will be available again having recovered from the the virus which he went down with two weeks ago.

James Olayinka faces a late fitness test, while Harry Kyprianou will come back in after his loan at Bromley ended at the weekend.

Forest Green Dangerman

Nicky Cadden looks like the player to watch this evening with the Scotsman coming into the game off the back of scoring his first goal in English football at the weekend.

The 24-year-old is one of the newer faces at Forest Green after joining in the summer from Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton where he scored 10 goals in 30 appearances last season.

Cadden plies his trade on the wing where his pace and power are troublesome for defenders, and he’s also a dab hand at free-kicks, as proven by his superb late strike against Barrow on Saturday.

Ref Watch

Keith Stroud will be taking charge of proceedings this evening in Essex, being assisted by Sam Lewis and Mark Jones, with Garreth Rhodes filling in as the fourth official.

Stroud reached double figures for appearances this season at the weekend, and during his 10 games so far this campaign, he’s issued a total of 21 yellow cards and just the one red.

It’ll be the first appearance for Stroud at Roots Hall since New Years Day 2019 when he oversaw Blues’ 2-0 win against Gillingham, which was sealed by a late Taylor Moore tap-in.

iFollow Blues

With fans still unable to attend matches in person, Blues fans can watch tonight’s clash with Forest Green Rovers by picking up a Match Pass for 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 to purchase your Match Pass if you are a non-season ticket holder, as well as other useful information such as technical support for iFollow, click here.

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Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Forest Green Rovers Team

 

[BriggBlue]

C'mon lets smash these two bit plant based mugs

 

[The Big Dady]

Official Team Sheet

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[Shrimpergonzo]

That's about as good as we could hope for under the circumstances. Good to see Rush get a start. Bench is a bit light, but at least we've got 7 on there for a change!

 

[damien]

Good for a few of those boys to get on the bench and may get some minutes given the subs rule, be nice to see macca get some much needed playing time under his belt to see out the last 20 minutes while we are 3 - 1 up courtesy of Rush, Olayinka, and Egbri

 

[Dubai]

How far is Eastwood off those boys that got on the bench?

 

[BluePartridge]

FGR looking for the three points. Let's see how adventurous they really get.

 

[Chalky]

Reiss Chandler to come off the bench and score a hatrick, I just know it.

INTO THEM YOU BLUESSSSSSS

 

[Barling Magna]

Goodship has to step up to the mark tonight. Come on Brandon!!

 

[Mick]

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Ref Watch

Keith Stroud will be taking charge of proceedings this evening in Essex, being assisted by Sam Lewis and Mark Jones, with Garreth Rhodes filling in as the fourth official.

I was expecting Rob Whitton from Braintree as opposed to Gareth Rhodes from North Yorkshire.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United striker Matt Rush has been handed just the second League of his career for tonight’s League Two clash with Forest Green Rovers at Roots Hall.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Come on you Shrimpers

 

[davewebbsbrain]

That's about as good as we could hope for under the circumstances. Good to see Rush get a start. Bench is a bit light, but at least we've got 7 on there for a change!

Really rate Kenny Coker. Not afraid to get stuck in, loves a tackle and has good strength. Only 16 but plays like a man

 

[BluBayou]

I'm feeling a late rush of optimism about this one

 

[tottenham541]

How far is Eastwood off those boys that got on the bench?

Think Eastwood has hit a bit of a wall, the goals have dried up also, I’d like to see Benton make the bench, good to see rush get a start

 

[ESG]

Blimey Paul Clark has just had a least three " total mismanagement" digs at RM in about a minute.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

"It doesn't impress me much" Like it.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

I'm only getting the option to watch on I follow, not to listen. anyone else the same?