Following Saturday’s abysmal performance against Luton we have a chance to bounce back quickly as we face Southend United tomorrow evening.
The Saddlers will come face to face with two familiar faces in Jason Demetriou and Sam Mantom – two players who were instrumental to our promotion push a few seasons ago.
TEAM NEWS
SOUTHEND
Southend will be without Simon Cox following his red card on Saturday during their defeat to Coventry City.
Luke Hyam is making tentative steps towards a comeback following an ankle issue that has sidelined him since August 21, but the fixture against the Saddlers comes too soon for the former Ipswich midfielder.
WALSALL
Walsall boss Dean Keates still has long term absentees Joe Edwards, Adam Chambers and Kory Roberts missing from his matchday squad however everyone else is fit and ready to go for Southend.
You would imagine following Saturday’s poor display against Luton, Keates will look to shake things up and a possible recall to the starting XI for Osbourne and Morris plus a possible start for on loan defender Kane Wilson.
LIKELY LINE UPS?
Southend – Oxley, Demetriou, Turner, Hendrie, Bwomono, Dieng, Mantom, Yearwood, Coker, Robinson, Hopper
Walsall – Roberts, Wilson, Guthrie, Fitzwater, Leahy, Morris, Dobson, Osbourne, Ginnelly, Ferrier, Cook
ONES TO WATCH
TOM HOPPER(SOUTHEND)
Hopper has been in superb form since arriving from Scunthorpe United in the summer – scoring seven goals in just twelve games.
THE WALSALL STRIKE FORCE
The Saddlers have only scored fifteen goals in thirteen league games which is not going to be enough to continue our challenge at the right end of the table.
Goals need to come from all areas but Ferrier, Cook and Gordon have now gone four league games without scoring.
PAST MEETINGS
The Saddlers have faced Luton on eighty-four occasions – Southend 41, Draw 18, Walsall 25
The last time the two sides met came in March this year where the Saddlers romped to a 3-0 win at Roots Hall thanks to a hat-trick from Erhun Oztumer.
The Saddlers have won four out the last seven meetings between both sides.
Our last five away league games v Southend
03.03.18 – Southend 0-3 Walsall
18.03.17 – Southend 3-2 Walsall
15.08.15 – Southend 0-2 Walsall
12.08.14 – Southend 1-2 Walsall
23.03.10 – Southend 3-0 Walsall
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFREE – ALAN YOUNG
Linesmen – Nicholas Cooper & Daniel Cook
Fourth Official – Stephen Brown
Young has officiated thirteen games this season. Dishing out fifty yellow cards, three red cards and awarded three penalties.
Young has only officiated one game involving the Saddlers – this came this season in our 2-1 away victory against Oxford United.
MATCH PREDICTION
Well in the last four games at Roots Hall we have managed to score two goals or more….with the current lack of goals I would take just one and a clean sheet!
The lack of goals is a major issue at the moment and one I am sure Keates will sort but following Saturday’s defeat you would expect a reaction tomorrow evening and I am sure we will get one.
Saddlers to win this one and get back amongst the chasing pack.
VITAL PREDICTION – SOUTHEND 1-2 WALSALL
UP NEXT
Saturday 27th October
Sky Bet League 1
Walsall v Wycombe Wanderers
