Official Match Thread Southend United vs Fleetwood Town

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we are the fourth League One home game of the 2019/20 season and Gary Waddock’s first home game in charge as caretaker manager of the Mighty Shrimpers.

Our fourth match at home is against Fleetwood town




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.

Gary Waddock’s 1st 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 14th September 2019 against Fleetwood Town.





It looks like we are going to have nice sunny afternoon for the game, which should brighten the dark shadows that have hung over Roots Hall recently. (If you are in the East Stand make sure you have your sun glasses and peaked cap), you should be OK to wear your new home kit with pride.

The weather forecast for this afternoon at Roots Hall



Current League home record 2019/20 after 3 home games

Won 0
Drawn 0
Lost 3
Goals scored 1
Goals conceded 8

League Positions Last Season

11th (2018/19 Season) League One Fleetwood Town
19th (2018/19 Season) League One Southend United

League Positions Current Season

4th (2019/20 Season) League One Fleetwood Town
22nd (2019/20 Season) League One Southend United

Recent League Position Change


Previous Five Meetings

Fleetwood Town 2-2 Southend United (L1 06/04/19 Att. 2,761)
Southend United 1-0 Fleetwood Town (L1 22/09/18 Att. 5,712)
Southend United 1-2 Fleetwood Town (L1 13/01/18 Att. 6,489)
Fleetwood Town 2-4 Southend United (L1 23/09/17 Att. 2,874)
Fleetwood Town 1-1 Southend United (L1 28/01/17 Att. 2,675)

Head to Head record​

Southend United Wins: 3
Draws: 7
Fleetwood Town Wins: 2

Interesting facts about Fleetwood Town/Southend United

Gary Waddock's first game in charge of Blues will be against Fleetwood Town.
Kevin Bond's first game in charge was against Fleetwood Town.
Phil Brown's first and last home games with Blues were also against Fleetwood Town.


Gary Waddock looking forward to his new role as Southend United's Caretaker Manager​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Fleetwood Town

Joey Barton talks to the Fleetwood Town OS before travelling to Roots Hall

Joey Barton the Fleetwood Town Head Coach
​

Fleetwood Town head coach Joey Barton spoke to the media head of the match against Southend United, and knows his side need to focus on themselves with the current ongoings at the Essex club.

Fleetwood travel to Roots Hall on Saturday to face Southend – who currently have no manager with former boss Kevin Bond leaving his position last week.

Bond – who worked with Barton at Queens Park Rangers’ – saved the Shrimpers from relegation last campaign, but after six defeats on the bounce this season, it wasn’t the start he hoped for after the euphoria of staying up.

With Fleetwood; Barton’s side kept their unbeaten home recording going after a 2-1 win over Oxford United last weekend, with Paddy Madden and Peter Clarke scoring the all important goals. Getting back to winning ways on the road is next for the Cod Army.

Here is what Joey Barton had to say in his pre-Southend pre-conference…

On Southend United…

“I am not someone to dwell on the past with what has gone on before, however there has been a change at Southend with the manager and are in a slightly difference place. We have to be mindful of the situation as it is not an easy place to go, but we will go there on our mantle and be prepared as don’t know who will choose the team or who is going to selected etc., but the focus for us is to be fully at it.

“We are a tough team to play for anybody in this division and as I said our focus is to get to our level of performance and then hopefully that leads to a positive performance and a positive result. There is no easy game in League One and if you are Southend, you want to get back to winning ways as soon as you can and for us it is about maintaining our good form.

“We are a different level of team to Southend, but we are still in the same division and we didn’t beat them last year so we have to give them courtesy and make sure we are as efficient as we have been because if we aren’t, they have some talented players to cause us problems.”

On the team and injury updates…

“The team is looking really good. Jack Sowerby and Conor McAleny are at the end point of their rehabilitation and I expect them to join in with the group within the next few days and that will mean we are up to a fully fit squad.

“Conor is a very good players for us and has been a loss with his recent injury. I felt he was just getting into a nice vein of form and he started to score goals and we were excited with how he was progressing but it’s a set-back, but luckily for us we have the likes of Paddy Madden and Ched Evans ready to pick up the pieces so to speak.

“Both Paddy and Ched are scrapping it out for a place in the team and it’s good to have that competition there, and right throughout the squad. It will push the level of the team but in the early days, we’ve seen it keep people on their toes.”

On creating something special at Fleetwood Town…

“My next big is to create an army at Fleetwood. There aren’t that many people in the town and what we have to do is get that noise we generate at home to away games because the players to feed off it and when they are lively and get behind the team, it tends to lead to positive performances and when I look at Doncaster and Bradford last season, we were superb away from home.

“I have been thinking about it a lot and it’s how we get our army travelling. The Fleetwood hardcore fan group who support us through thick and thin, the players benefits and for me we are playing some really good football and I would come and watch on a Saturday because it is exciting. This team don’t let you down, they keep going and leave everything on the pitch.”


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Southend

Gary Waddock talks to the Southend United OS ahead of the game with Fleetwood Town

Gary Waddock Southend United's New Caretaker Manager​

Caretaker Manager Gary Waddock says there’s been a positive reaction from the players in training this week and has called on the players to transfer that into a positive performance on Saturday.

Waddock, Svetoslav Todorov and Lee Harrison have been asked to take the team for the game following the departure of Kevin Bond last week.

And Waddock addressed the press on Thursday where he reiterated that he was only focussing on the job in hand, which was coming up against Joey Barton’s Fleetwood.

Here’s everything that was covered...

On the need for players fighting for places…

We need competition and obviously with the lads that have had knocks or missed games we’d like them out on the training ground but the players in general have been very good. We’ve worked really hard this week on things that we want to do for the weekend, so the attitude has been spot on.

On the players’ response to him taking temporary charge…

It’s been a challenging start to the season and everybody is disappointed for Kevin, it didn’t work out and the decision was made but the players have been very good out on the training ground. Not that they weren’t beforehand because they were but it’s a case of putting things in place that we want to put in place for the game at the weekend and they’ve responded to that.

Saturday is the only thing that counts though. They can do it out here [on the training ground] but we have to transfer that into the match. If they can transfer what they’ve been showing on the training ground into Saturday we will give ourselves a chance in the game, but we’re going up against a very good side.

On taking charge for Saturday’s game…

We’re all in this together. From the Chairman down to the supporters, we’re all in this together and we have to roll up our sleeves. It’s tough times but tough people come through spells like this so that’s what we’re looking for.

Everyone’s determined to put it right and in the short term we have to do that. The Chairman has asked me, Toddy and Lee to prepare the team for Saturday and we will do that to the best of our ability. Hopefully we can get a positive reaction this Saturday.

On if he’s had to lift the players…

It’s a ruthless business as we know. It’s very difficult, it’s challenging but the players have responded, so I think when things like that happen to managers and unfortunately it happened to Kevin, players think it’s a fresh start for them and everybody’s got an opportunity to show that they should be playing.

We need to get a result at the same time. We will put a team out for this particular game that we feel can get a result.

There’s no blame culture, no pointing of fingers or anything like that, we’re all in it together but all we’re asking is they transfer what they showed during the course of the week into the game on Saturday.

If they can do that it gives us a chance, but we’re all disappointed for what’s gone on and as you rightly said we have to move on quickly.

On Fleetwood’s start to the season…

They’ve had a terrific start to the season. We can pit out wits against a decent team at this level, we did that at Wycombe a few weeks ago and they are now sitting top of the table so if we can get anywhere near to what we’ve been doing on the training ground and in that performance [against Wycombe] we give ourselves a chance.

There’s no guarantee but we need everybody on side. I’ve been to Roots Hall a number of times as the opposition and it’s a difficult place to come to. Unfortunately for the last nine to ten months it’s been slightly easier, but we need to get back to being a very difficult and intimidating place to come to play your football.

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Gary Waddock talks to Chris Phillips at the ECHO before the game with Fleetwood Town

Southend United's caretaker boss Gary Waddock: This is all about the team, not me​

In charge - Svetoslav Todorov (left) and Gary Waddock who will be caretaker boss for the Blues this weekend​

Southend United’s caretaker manager Gary Waddock will be putting the team’s needs before his own when the Shrimpers host Fleetwood Town on Saturday.

Waddock has been placed in temporary charge following Kevin Bond’s resignation last week.

But the former Aldershot and Wycombe Wanderers boss is refusing to look too far ahead.

“This isn’t about me it’s about the team, the chairman and supporters,” said Waddock.

“It’s about making sure we prepare the team to give ourselves a chance in the game and we’ve done that.

“We’re all in this together from the chairman right the way down.

““We have to roll up our sleeves because it’s a tough time but tough people come through spells like this and that’s what we’re looking for.

“The chairman has asked me, Toddy (Svetoslav Todorov) and Lee (Harrison) to prepare the team and we’ll do that to the best of our ability to get a reaction on Saturday.

“But it’s one game at a time and we aren’t looking any further than that at the moment.”

The Shrimpers have yet to pick up a point in League One this season after suffering six successive defeats.

And Waddock has not actively applied to be the next Blues boss.

“I haven’t put my name in for it,” said the 57-year-old.

“I had a conversation with the chairman at the weekend and we met on Monday morning.

“Whatever is right for the football club the chairman will decide but it was a positive meeting I had with him and one I enjoyed.”

And Waddock also hinted there could be changes made this weekend.

“Everybody has their own view and opinion on how a team should play,” said Waddock.

“We will play differently but that’s down to the players.

“Kevin is a very, very good coach and we’re all responsible for what’s happened.

“But we have to look forward and there’s a long way to go this season so we have to be positive and on the front foot.”

However, Waddock has no idea how long he will stay in charge.

“There’s no timescale," said Waddock.

"You can imagine how busy the chairman has been with agents and CVs coming in but he’ll make the decision he feels is best.

"He’s been here a very long time and the football club is part of his life."


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Team News​

Gary Waddock has revealed Mark Milligan is touch and go for Saturday's game and John White is likely to miss out.


John White​

Milligan returned from international duty early due to a hamstring problem, while White had to come off in Blues' last league game against Rochdale.

Here's what Waddock had to say at Thursday's press conference on the injury concerns going into the game against Fleetwood.

Mark Milligan

We’re monitoring him, he’s back in, he was with Ben this morning out on the training ground so we will see tomorrow going into the weekend whether he’s available or not, but he’s been out on the grass today.

He had a slight hamstring injury after being away in the camp with Australia so we will monitor him over the next 24 hours or so.

John White

It’s settled down, it’s not as bad as we first feared but I think Saturday could be too early for him.

Timothee Dieng

He trained today and he’s trained the last few days or so. He’s back out on the training ground which is pleasing for everybody.

Stephen McLaughlin

He’s been training, he’s looked good on the training ground, so we have to make a decision whether it’s the right time to introduce him back into the matchday group, but he’s done really well on the training ground.

Liam Ridgewell

He’s still out with a slight calf injury but it won’t keep him out too long I don’t believe, so again we're monitoring him on a daily basis.

Nathan Ralph

We've given him more time to recover, he's been out on the training ground the last couple of days and he’s done some work with Ben today. Then we will see if there’s a reaction tomorrow but we need to go into the game with players who are 100 per cent fit and available.


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[The Big Dady]

Today’s programme

Make sure to get a matchday programme on Saturday’s game as we have a special feature with a Southend legend.


​

Paul Clark comes under the spotlight in an interview covering his time at the club which includes a brilliant story on one particular overriding memory which carried him through his career, from making his Blues debut at the age of 17 to going onto manage the club at the age of 29.

It’s certainly one not to be missed as Clark discusses what it was like going from player to manager, and also his thoughts on the current day side.

As always, the front cover is enlarged inside into a poster!

Usual features include the latest U23 and U18 news, with reaction from Craig Fagan to Tuesday’s defeat to Scunthorpe United in the Premier League Cup, a Junior Blues quiz, Quickfire Questions with Harry Lennon, historical trips to Fleetwood’s Highbury Stadium with some great insight of their ground from Peter Miles and the Shrimpers Trust’s column.

SUEPA corner has a really nice feature on Billy Best, who celebrated his 77th birthday last weekend, along with five quickfire questions with Derrick Parker.

Today's programme will be on sale for £3 from the matchday magazine hut and the sellers from the Roots Review branded trolleys.

Make sure to get a matchday programme on Saturday’s game as we have a special feature with a Southend legend.

Paul Clark comes under the spotlight in an interview covering his time at the club which includes a brilliant story on one particular overriding memory which carried him through his career, from making his Blues debut at the age of 17 to going onto manage the club at the age of 29.

It’s certainly one not to be missed as Clark discusses what it was like going from player to manager, and also his thoughts on the current day side.

As always, the front cover is enlarged inside into a poster!

Usual features include the latest U23 and U18 news, with reaction from Craig Fagan to Tuesday’s defeat to Scunthorpe United in the Premier League Cup, a Junior Blues quiz, Quickfire Questions with Harry Lennon, historical trips to Fleetwood’s Highbury Stadium with some great insight of their ground from Peter Miles and the Shrimpers Trust’s column.

SUEPA corner has a really nice feature on Billy Best, who celebrated his 77th birthday last weekend, along with five quickfire questions with Derrick Parker.

Tomorrow's programme will be on sale for £3 from the matchday magazine hut and the sellers from the Roots Review branded trolleys.


Full info here
Link

 

[The Big Dady]

The Big Preview

Southend United vs Fleetwood Town


​

Overview

Southend return to league action to take on Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town at Roots Hall tomorrow afternoon hoping for an upturn in fortunes following the departure of Kevin Bond.

After suffering an eighth defeat in nine matches, Bond resigned last week, leaving assistant Gary Waddock in temporary charge as Fleetwood make their way down south from Lancashire.

And after last weekend’s game with Portsmouth was postponed, Blues should be fully recharged and fully prepared to try and pick up their first points of the campaign.

Form

Blues’ league troubles showed no sign of abating last time out as Rochdale inflicted a sixth successive league defeat which ultimately spelt the end for boss Kevin Bond.

Southend’s only win so far this season has come in the Carabao Cup away at Stevenage with Blues’ scorecard currently reading played nine, lost eight in all competitions.

Fleetwood currently find themselves fourth in the League One table thanks to four wins, one draw and two defeats, with their last outing seeing them beat Oxford United 2-1 at home.

Last Meeting

Saturday 6th April 2019

Fleetwood Town 2-2 Southend United

Evans 59’, (p)84’; Bunn 21’, Hyam 80’

Blues earned a vital point on the road at Fleetwood but it could have been better for the visitors who were denied a win by Ched Evans’ 84th-minute penalty.

Southend opened the scoring through Harry Bunn before Evans equalised just before the hour mark. Luke Hyam’s first goal for the club looked to have won it only for Evans to level again from the spot.

Blues Team News

Club captain Mark Milligan is touch and go for Saturday after the Australian returned early from international duty with a slight hamstring problem.

Another likely to miss out is John White whose ankle injury, which forced him off against Rochdale, isn’t as bad as first feared but Saturday will come too soon for the defender.

Nathan Ralph, Timothee Dieng and Stephen McLaughlin have all returned to training and will be pushing to be involved come tomorrow afternoon.

Fleetwood Dangerman

Paddy Madden is in blistering form already this season, scoring in six of Fleetwood’s eight matches played so far this campaign to be the club’s leading scorer.

If that wasn’t enough already to make him the dangerman tomorrow afternoon, the Irishman also has a pretty impressive scoring record against Blues in recent years.

In the last four seasons, during his time with Fleetwood and his previous club Scunthorpe, Madden has come up against Southend seven times and has scored five goals.

Ref Watch

John Busby will be the man to take charge tomorrow afternoon and he’s assisted Carl Fitch-Jackson and Louis Mark, with Ryan Atkin the fourth official.

Busby refereed three Southend matches last season, overseeing two wins and a draw for Blues, with his last visit to Roots Hall coming when Southend faced Southampton u23s in the EFL Trophy.

So far this campaign, Busby has taken charge of eight matches across League One, Two and cup competitions, issuing 27 yellow cards and two reds.


Link to full story
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[The Big Dady]

Fleetwood' Town Team

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

It’s Elvis starting not Demetriou who was also named on the bench.

 

[dannypav]

Is Demtriou playing or on the bench ?

 

[RHB]

Elvis?

 

[The Big Dady]

Now THAT is different

Jason Demetrou is playing AND on the bench?

 

[Chairman Trigg]

Now THAT is different

Jason Demetrou is playing AND on the bench?

Looking forward to him being subbed and replaced by himself!

 

[The Big Dady]

Official Team Sheet

 

[Chapperz]

Looks like 4-4-2

Oxley
Bwomono Kiernan Lennon Blackman
Hutchinson Hamilton Mantom McLaughlin
Cox Humphrys

My worries are McLaughlin starting after being out injured and the combination of Hamilton and Mantom in midfield.

 

[Smith]

Sam Mantom as captain, not a leader in my book!! Give the armband to Kiernan!!

 

[The Big Dady]

Now THAT is different

Jason Demetrou is playing AND on the bench?

Looking forward to him being subbed and replaced by himself!

Now edited Elvis is playing Jason on bench.

Original Team Sheet



Replacement Team Sheet

 

[Clarky176]

Just some positivity for today, none of our players have scored a home goal for us yet this season.

UTB!

 

[geoffmundo]

Shame no place for Goodship......

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Shame no place for Goodship......

On the bench sounds reasonable.

 

[WickfordShrimper]

Hopefully we will knock in a few goals today :-)

COME ON YOU SHRIMPERS

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United’s caretaker manager Gary Waddock has made six changes to the starting line-up for this afternoon’s clash with Fleetwood Town at Roots Hall.

More...

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Hopefully we will knock in a few goals today :-)

COME ON YOU SHRIMPERS

A clean sheet would be nice too.