Uncle Leo
This cook is an anti-semite
We've still got a few issues with updating the front page, so the preview for this Saturday's game is being posted here instead.
Cheers,
James/Uxbridge Shrimper
Derby dangerman – Steve Howard
It’s been a tough few weeks for Southend United. Winless in the Championship since August 19th, Cardiff tore them apart last Sunday, handing Southend yet another 3-0 home defeat in front of the Sky TV cameras. After that eminently forgettable afternoon, Steve Tilson will be hoping for a much-improved performance as Southend take their Pride Park bow.
The Rams have been in their new ground for almost a decade now, but Southend’s plunge through the divisions in the late 1990s means that the Shrimpers are yet to grace the 34,000 all-seater stadium. Many Shrimpers fans will have fond memories of the Baseball Ground, especially those lucky to have been there in January 1978, when Derby were one of the top sides in the country and Southend only went down 3-2 in the third round of the FA Cup.
There was also a 0-0 draw in the League Cup in 1987, which secured a third round berth in the League Cup for Southend following a shock 1-0 win at Roots Hall a few weeks earlier (a game that still ranks as an all-time great memory of mine – thank you Roy McDonough).
However, the club’s last visit to Derby was a torrid one as a Derby side featuring the like of Paulo Wanchope, Aljosa Asanovic and Dean Sturridge thrashed the Shrimpers 5-0. To be fair, this was 1997, when thumpings away from home were par for the course for Southend United.
Putting history to one side though, it’s time to look ahead to the weekend. Derby have had a mixed start to the season, winning three, drawing three and losing three of their Championship games. Billy Davies has been brought in to turn things around at Pride Park after the side finished a deeply disappointing 20th last year. This was particularly disappointing given that they had finished fourth in 2004/05.
Davies has a good reputation and wins in their last two away games – at Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves – would indicate that he’s taking the club in the right direction. Steve Howard was the club’s big buy over the summer and he has scored three league goals since his £1m move from Luton. Other Rams to look out for include former England international Seth Johnson, the consistent Matt Oakley and on-loan Arsenal youngster Arturo Lupoli.
The latter seems likely to feature on Saturday, but another promising teenager – Giles Barnes – will be missing through suspension. Goalkeeper Stephen Bywater is also a doubt, with Lee Grant set to don the gloves if the former West Ham stopper fails to recover form a head injury.
As for Southend, much of the selection talk is centring around two players signed over the summer – Billy Paynter and Peter Clarke. The former finally opened his Southend account against Brighton in the League Cup and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet against Cardiff, but unfortunately seems to be the target of the Roots Hall boo-boys. As for Peter Clarke, he has endured a shaky start to life in the Southend defence and with Efe Sodje back in contention, he is under a bit of pressure.
There is also the issue of central midfield. Lewis Hunt was drafted in to replace the out-of-form Luke Guttridge, but didn’t do himself any favours against Cardiff. Will he get the chance to atone against his old side?
Of course, Steve Tilson may well look to stand by his team, who will know they have to up their game considerably. With the likes of Matt Harrold and Gary Hooper knocking on the first XI door, Southend fans will be awaiting the team selection with great interest. Here’s hoping Freddy Eastwood shows what Derby missed out on over the summer, although I have a nasty feeling that Paul Peschisolido (how old is he now? He’s been around for decades!) is going to break the hearts of the travelling Shrimpers.
Cheers,
James/Uxbridge Shrimper
Derby dangerman – Steve Howard
It’s been a tough few weeks for Southend United. Winless in the Championship since August 19th, Cardiff tore them apart last Sunday, handing Southend yet another 3-0 home defeat in front of the Sky TV cameras. After that eminently forgettable afternoon, Steve Tilson will be hoping for a much-improved performance as Southend take their Pride Park bow.
The Rams have been in their new ground for almost a decade now, but Southend’s plunge through the divisions in the late 1990s means that the Shrimpers are yet to grace the 34,000 all-seater stadium. Many Shrimpers fans will have fond memories of the Baseball Ground, especially those lucky to have been there in January 1978, when Derby were one of the top sides in the country and Southend only went down 3-2 in the third round of the FA Cup.
There was also a 0-0 draw in the League Cup in 1987, which secured a third round berth in the League Cup for Southend following a shock 1-0 win at Roots Hall a few weeks earlier (a game that still ranks as an all-time great memory of mine – thank you Roy McDonough).
However, the club’s last visit to Derby was a torrid one as a Derby side featuring the like of Paulo Wanchope, Aljosa Asanovic and Dean Sturridge thrashed the Shrimpers 5-0. To be fair, this was 1997, when thumpings away from home were par for the course for Southend United.
Putting history to one side though, it’s time to look ahead to the weekend. Derby have had a mixed start to the season, winning three, drawing three and losing three of their Championship games. Billy Davies has been brought in to turn things around at Pride Park after the side finished a deeply disappointing 20th last year. This was particularly disappointing given that they had finished fourth in 2004/05.
Davies has a good reputation and wins in their last two away games – at Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves – would indicate that he’s taking the club in the right direction. Steve Howard was the club’s big buy over the summer and he has scored three league goals since his £1m move from Luton. Other Rams to look out for include former England international Seth Johnson, the consistent Matt Oakley and on-loan Arsenal youngster Arturo Lupoli.
The latter seems likely to feature on Saturday, but another promising teenager – Giles Barnes – will be missing through suspension. Goalkeeper Stephen Bywater is also a doubt, with Lee Grant set to don the gloves if the former West Ham stopper fails to recover form a head injury.
As for Southend, much of the selection talk is centring around two players signed over the summer – Billy Paynter and Peter Clarke. The former finally opened his Southend account against Brighton in the League Cup and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet against Cardiff, but unfortunately seems to be the target of the Roots Hall boo-boys. As for Peter Clarke, he has endured a shaky start to life in the Southend defence and with Efe Sodje back in contention, he is under a bit of pressure.
There is also the issue of central midfield. Lewis Hunt was drafted in to replace the out-of-form Luke Guttridge, but didn’t do himself any favours against Cardiff. Will he get the chance to atone against his old side?
Of course, Steve Tilson may well look to stand by his team, who will know they have to up their game considerably. With the likes of Matt Harrold and Gary Hooper knocking on the first XI door, Southend fans will be awaiting the team selection with great interest. Here’s hoping Freddy Eastwood shows what Derby missed out on over the summer, although I have a nasty feeling that Paul Peschisolido (how old is he now? He’s been around for decades!) is going to break the hearts of the travelling Shrimpers.
