Southend United v Gillingham - Match Preview - Written by Lewis Browning
Gillingham’s men will head to Southend on Tuesday evening in search for a win that will put them within four points of the League One play-off places.
The Gills' hosts are in turmoil – they are 14 points from safety in League One and have lost 21 of their 31 league games this season, including five of their last six.
Gillingham still have a job to do, however – here’s our preview of the game.
The Details
Southend United v Gillingham
Roots Hall
SkyBet League One
Tuesday February 18, 7:45pm
Team News
Gillingham have no fresh injury concerns following Saturday’s game against Doncaster, but may welcome back Southampton loanee Alfie Jones after the midfielder missed the last three games through injury.
Midfield duo Oliver Lee and Stuart O’Keefe are both fully fit.
Mark Byrne is the only long-term injury absentee.
Southend are struggling with injuries and are trying to sign a goalkeeper in a last-minute emergency loan deal after first choice ‘keeper Mark Oxley had to be taken off in the closing stages of Saturday’s match against Coventry with a thigh injury. It is still unclear as to whether or not a goalkeeper will join on time, and the Shrimpers may have to field a youth team goalkeeper instead.
Striker Stephen Humphreys is still sidelined with a broken nose, but Jason Demetriou, Stephen McLaghlin and Harry Kyprianou should all be fit after shaking off knocks.
What The Managers Said
“I think the main thing
is to get our heads right. It’s about how we start to give ourselves a solid
base, and we’ll go from there.
“All the games are hard now. Half of our team is made up of academy players, but they’re working really hard and they’re trying their best. The experienced players have really got to dig deep into the reservoir of experience to help.
“Everything is hard - nothing is easy because of the situation we are in.”
Form
Gillingham are on the second longest unbeaten run in the top four divisions of English football, behind only Premier League leaders Liverpool, with no defeat in their last 13 league games.
Last time out the Gills were made to work hard for a 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers. They went behind after a Ben Sheaf wonder goal, but fought back and took the win after a Fejiri Okenabirhie red card and two Cameron John own goals.
Southend, meanwhile, are in terrible form. They have lost five of their last six League One games, have one win in their last 22, and have lost 21 of their 31 league games this season.
In their last outing, on Saturday, they lost 2-0 at home to Coventry City following goals from Callum O’Hare and Maxime Biamou.
Previous Meetings
Gillingham defeated Southend 3-1 in the return fixture back in October thanks to goals from Alfie Jones, Stuart O’Keefe and Brandon Hanlan, whilst Mikael Ndjoli also missed two penalties. Simon Cox netted for Southend, but Emile Acquah saw red just after an hour and it was, ultimately, a game to forget for Southend.
Last season’s equivalent was a controversial game that United won 2-0. Now-Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop put in a ‘Man of the Match’ performance in the Southend goal as Sam Mantom and Taylor Moore netted in the win.
The controversy came as Gillingham pushed for a goal in stoppage time with the score at 1-0. Connor Ogilvie thought he’d got the equaliser, but the ball was judged to not have crossed the line. Whilst the Gillingham players celebrated, Moore scored United’s second goal to secure the win.
Altogether, the teams have met 118 times in the past, and Gillingham edge the victories with 47 wins to Southend’s 41. There have also been 30 draws.
Officials
Referee: Trevor Kettle
Assistants: Alasdair Ross and Paul Kelly
Fourth official: Nicholas Cooper
Tuesday evening should be a routine win for the Gills, but they can’t underestimate their opponents and will have to be focused if they want the three points. Here’s hoping the Blues can get the win everyone is expecting and continue their charge towards the play-offs.
Gillingham’s men will head to Southend on Tuesday evening in search for a win that will put them within four points of the League One play-off places.
The Gills' hosts are in turmoil – they are 14 points from safety in League One and have lost 21 of their 31 league games this season, including five of their last six.
Gillingham still have a job to do, however – here’s our preview of the game.
The Details
Southend United v Gillingham
Roots Hall
SkyBet League One
Tuesday February 18, 7:45pm
Team News
Gillingham have no fresh injury concerns following Saturday’s game against Doncaster, but may welcome back Southampton loanee Alfie Jones after the midfielder missed the last three games through injury.
Midfield duo Oliver Lee and Stuart O’Keefe are both fully fit.
Mark Byrne is the only long-term injury absentee.
Southend are struggling with injuries and are trying to sign a goalkeeper in a last-minute emergency loan deal after first choice ‘keeper Mark Oxley had to be taken off in the closing stages of Saturday’s match against Coventry with a thigh injury. It is still unclear as to whether or not a goalkeeper will join on time, and the Shrimpers may have to field a youth team goalkeeper instead.
Striker Stephen Humphreys is still sidelined with a broken nose, but Jason Demetriou, Stephen McLaghlin and Harry Kyprianou should all be fit after shaking off knocks.
What The Managers Said
Gillingham manager
Steve Evans: "Bar the odd exception, Southend have been in every game that have played recently, including Saturday's match against a strong Coventry City. They dominated for spells but lost to a team fighting for automatic promotion.
"We will need to be much improved from Saturday, on Tuesday night, if we are to get anything from the match. It will be tough; they have excellent players and the highest profile manager of any in our league.
"I can ask no more of our supporters; they have been superb home and away. Hopefully, a number can make the journey as I know how much it means to all of us as we try and add to our points tally."
Southend manager Sol
Campbell: “For me, it’s all about how we approach the game. They’re all tough.
“All the games are hard now. Half of our team is made up of academy players, but they’re working really hard and they’re trying their best. The experienced players have really got to dig deep into the reservoir of experience to help.
“Everything is hard - nothing is easy because of the situation we are in.”
Form
Gillingham are on the second longest unbeaten run in the top four divisions of English football, behind only Premier League leaders Liverpool, with no defeat in their last 13 league games.
Last time out the Gills were made to work hard for a 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers. They went behind after a Ben Sheaf wonder goal, but fought back and took the win after a Fejiri Okenabirhie red card and two Cameron John own goals.
Southend, meanwhile, are in terrible form. They have lost five of their last six League One games, have one win in their last 22, and have lost 21 of their 31 league games this season.
In their last outing, on Saturday, they lost 2-0 at home to Coventry City following goals from Callum O’Hare and Maxime Biamou.
Previous Meetings
Gillingham defeated Southend 3-1 in the return fixture back in October thanks to goals from Alfie Jones, Stuart O’Keefe and Brandon Hanlan, whilst Mikael Ndjoli also missed two penalties. Simon Cox netted for Southend, but Emile Acquah saw red just after an hour and it was, ultimately, a game to forget for Southend.
Last season’s equivalent was a controversial game that United won 2-0. Now-Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop put in a ‘Man of the Match’ performance in the Southend goal as Sam Mantom and Taylor Moore netted in the win.
The controversy came as Gillingham pushed for a goal in stoppage time with the score at 1-0. Connor Ogilvie thought he’d got the equaliser, but the ball was judged to not have crossed the line. Whilst the Gillingham players celebrated, Moore scored United’s second goal to secure the win.
Altogether, the teams have met 118 times in the past, and Gillingham edge the victories with 47 wins to Southend’s 41. There have also been 30 draws.
Officials
Referee: Trevor Kettle
Assistants: Alasdair Ross and Paul Kelly
Fourth official: Nicholas Cooper
Tuesday evening should be a routine win for the Gills, but they can’t underestimate their opponents and will have to be focused if they want the three points. Here’s hoping the Blues can get the win everyone is expecting and continue their charge towards the play-offs.
Comments
Post a Comment