Southend United vs Derby County

[South Bank Hank]

From Teamtalk

Few worries for Rams at Southend

Derby will be close to full strength when they arrive at Championship basement side Southend chasing a fifth successive victory.

The only certain absentee will be Paul Boertien who has picked up a calf injury to add to the knee injury which had already put him on the casualty list.

Richard Jackson might be excused duty after the utility player picked up a virus. But captain Matt Oakley and winger Ryan Smith have recovered from illness and will be among those who board the bus to Roots Hall.

Rams boss Billy Davies said: "It is a very strong squad and it has given me a selection headache. But I am delighted to have the selection problem and we will need that depth in the squad between now and the end of the season."

 

[South Bank Hank]

From Vital Football

Southend United vs Derby County

Both teams will go in to the game on a high.The Shrimpers have an FA Cup game against Spurs to look forward to next week after beating Barnsley away last Tuesday.United also beat Cardiff last week at Ninian Park in the league.Derby can't stop winning at the moment and are currently joint top of the league.

Bottom v Top but both teams on form

It's bottom v top but both teams go in to the game full of confidence.Who will come out on top,the in form Shrimpers or top of the league Rams? Tomorrow at 5:00pm we will have all the answers and hopefully the large crowd will be treated to an exciting game.

Southend United team news

Southend will once again be without Spencer Prior with a groin strain but apart from losing Spinner Southend should go in to the game at full strength.I expect it will be a similar side that played Barnsley in the cup with Clarke and Barrett starting at the back,MacCormack in place of Guttridge and Bradbury joining Eastwood up front in attack.Whatever happens Southend should also have a strong bench with the likes of Sodje , Guttridge ,Hooper and Howard.There is also good news for the Shrimpers with the reserve keeper Collis back training after a long time out due to an appendicities operation.

Player to watch: Freddy Eastwood

As with many games this season Eastwood will be the man to watch.Derby have been looking closely at our Freddy this season hoping to catch his signing.Eastwood has been slightly off form recently and off the field speculation probably hasn't helped his game but as everyone knows Freddy can strike at any time,can make a goal out of nothing and as he did last week can influence the game like few others by providing the killer pass.

Derby County team news

Teale,Oakley,Smith,Fagan and Pearson will all be pressing places for the Rams tomorrow at Roots Hall.The squad should also be made up the players that beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 last weekend. Bywater, Edworthy, Leacock, Camara, Barne, Johnson, Jones, Teale, Howard and Lupoli.

Player to watch: Arturo Lupoli

Southend United know all about Lupoli the goalscoring sensation who is on loan from Arsenal after he scored two against the Shrimpers at Pride Park back in September.The tricky Italian who started his career at Parma will need to be watched closely by Clarke and Barrett if the Shrimpers hope to keep their goal in tact.

 

[South Bank Hank]

From GiveMeFootball

Just a month or so ago, Southend looked stone-cold certainties for Championship relegation

Last weeks 1-0 away victory at Cardiff suggests the Shrimpers are not ready to make a swift return to the third tier of English football without a real fight.

That win in the Welsh capital saw Steve Tilsons basement club draw level on points with second-from bottom Leeds and there are signs the Essex outfit could yet claw their way out of trouble.

Last Saturdays triumph over the Bluebirds was Southends first away first success on the road in the entire campaign, but just one defeat in the last seven league matches represents a significant upturn in form. However, Tilson admitted the possible transfer window sale of star striker Freddie Eastwood would seriously hinder the clubs chances of survival.

"If there is one person who could help this club stay up it would be Freddie Eastwood. Selling him would really damage our relegation battle,' said Tilson.

Derby boss Billy Davis has worked wonders in his first season in charge at Pride Park and last weeks victory against Sheffield Wednesday saw his in-form Rams draw level on points with leaders Birmingham.

VERDICT Derby continue to rack up the points but they rode their luck for long periods against the Owls last week and it may be worth taking a chance sticking with the Southend "Great Escape.'

 

[Ricey]

Lupoli scares the sh!t out of me! Such a quality player really hate it when he is playing.

 

[mattytheshrimper]

like it how they have put the subs are sodje, guttridge, hopper and HOWARD! lol. how hard it is to get your facts straight.

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (mattytheshrimper @ Jan. 19 2007,11:50)]HOWARD

If only.......

 

[Ricey]

Shows how much of an impact Harrold makes they can't even remember his name!

 

[Pubey]

Quote[/b] (mattytheshrimper @ Jan. 19 2007,11:50)]like it how they have put the subs are sodje, guttridge, hopper and HOWARD! lol. how hard it is to get your facts straight.

but they managed to spell hooper correctly and yet you wrote 'hopper'!?

 

[C C Csiders]

Quote[/b] (glasgowsufc @ Jan. 19 2007,11:52)]

Quote[/b] (mattytheshrimper @ Jan. 19 2007,11:50)]HOWARD

If only.......

Frankie would be worth a go....

 

[mattytheshrimper]

OPPS! my mistake!

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (C C Csiders @ Jan. 19 2007,11:53)]

Quote[/b] (glasgowsufc @ Jan. 19 2007,11:52)]

Quote[/b] (mattytheshrimper @ Jan. 19 2007,11:50)]HOWARD

If only.......

Frankie would be worth a go....

Oooooh yes, Missus, titter ye not.
Oooooh Prince Harry a footballer, nay, nay & thrice nay!

 

[royfox]

As I correctly predicted 0-1 at Cardiff last week, I am going to say 2-1 to Southend tomorrow.