Wolves preview

[Uncle Leo]

You wait ages for a game against Wolves to come along, and then you get two inside a month! Just four weeks after a 3-1 defeat at Molineux, The Shrimpers are once again doing battle with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Just a week ago, things weren’t looking too bad for Southend. Victory over Manchester Utd was followed by home draws against Preston and Plymouth, two of the stronger sides in the Championship. However, any hopes that a revival was just around the corner were comprehensively quashed by a 3-0 defeat at Layabout Road and then a 2-0 loss away to Barnsley.

So Steve Tilson’s side approach the Wolves game having not won any of their last 16 league games, knowing that if they fail to win this one they will be equalling the club record for longest winless league sequence. That record was set in the dark days of the 1983/84 season and it was during that dismal run that Peter Morris lost his job, to be replaced by Bobby Moore.

There have been a fair few ‘Tilson Out’ comments flying around of late, but Ron Martin is supporting the Tilly/Brush management team and a recent poll on ShrimperZone suggested that most fans are willing to back the men who led Southend United to consecutive promotions. Nevertheless, if Southend are to avoid relegation, then wins are going to have to start coming soon.

Wolves are making their first visit to Roots Hall since October 1996, when a Steve Bull goal cancelled out Mike Marsh’s opener. That game was televised on Sky and I had the ‘pleasure’ of watching that game alone in a pub in Reading as none of my mates fancied coming along to watch it. Strange bunch.

November’s victory over Southend aside, Wolves have been in poor form of late. That was their only win in their last eight Championship games and they come to Essex on the back of three 1-1 draws. Michael McIndoe, a winger signed on loan from Barnsley, could be set to make his first start for the black and golds on Saturday, whilst Welsh defender Rob Edwards is a doubt.

Dangermen for Wolves include former Perugia player Jay Bothroyd and Nigerian George Olofinjana, whilst at the back Matt Murray is a steady keeper. Leon Clarke was the man for Wolves last time, scoring two of their goals in the 3-1 Molineux victory, but he appears to have returned to his old bad old ways over the last month.

For Southend, Kevin Maher is still missing through suspension, so Lewis Hunt is likely to deputise again. Mark Gower returns to the side and Mitchell Cole will probably be the one to give way, whilst Lee Bradbury, back from injury, may be able to force his way in to the starting XI.

Mr P Armstrong will be the man in the middle. He has refereed two Championship fixtures this season, both of which ended up as 2-1 home wins. A good portent? Let’s hope so!

 

[MrB]

As some know I have an affiliation with Wolves due to my Dad being a Wolves fan and bringing me up as one. Fortunately he also had the sense to take me to Roots Hall as well and my links have stayed stronger with the home town team.

This is certainly the worst Wolves team in many seasons, most of their decent players have departed and from what I've seen of them they struggle to play as a team and have relyed on moments of magic from the likes of Bothroyd to see them through games. Cort being out is a bonus and midfield and defence wise they are solid enough without any real standout players. They're also notoriously bad travellers. If we're going to kickstart a recovery this has to be the game. Despite some decent results Wolves are nothing more than a mid table Championship team and if we can't get 3 points at home against them than we willl almost certainly be battling it out in League 1.

 

[mattytheshrimper]

i fear even if we get a point it will not be good enough. we have to get three points and just hope that the teams just above lose

 

[Rayleigh boy]

thanks for an excellent preview -