Blackpool are back and in force. The minimum 14,000 that are expected on Saturday will, no doubt, resonate not only through Blackpool, but the whole of the Football League. It sends a message of a resounding victory and an untold unity, it truly will be breathtaking. Many fans have waited for over 4 years to return and although Blackpool will entertain Southend, this is a game worth so much more than just football.
Injuries and Suspensions:
Yearwood returns for Southend after a 3 match suspension.
Southend will be without Stephen Humphreys, Harry Kyprianou, Sam Barratt, Tom Hopper, Ben Coker, Jason Demetriou and Max Oxley.
Jimmy Ryan and Max Clayton are no closer to returning.
Marc Bola and Callum Guy are both doubtful for Blackpool.
The History:
Southed United, also coincidentally known as The Seasiders, were established in 1906 and have never been in the Premier League. They have been as high as the Championship though, most recently being promoted in the 2005/06 season, a promotion that came successively with promotion from League 2 the season prior. Last year they finished 10th following a successful campaign in League 1, but lacked a true goalscorer to propel them up the table, with top-scorer Cox notching just 10 goals. The club play their home football at the 12,392 capacity Roots Hall, with a move to Fossetts Farm planned in the near future. All eyes will be on Bloomfield Road this Saturday though.
The Manager:
49 year old Chris Powell has been manager of Southend since January 2018, a club that he played for just shy of 250 times as a player. He was predominantly a left back and his main clubs were Southend, Derby and Charlton, with him having three separate spells at the latter. He also has 5 caps at national level for England.
His management career was set in motion in 2010, when he took over as caretaker manager at Leicester, winning his game in charge by 3 goals to 1. He was picked up by Charlton 1 year later, winning League One in his first year and staying at the club until 2014. He also managed Huddersfield for a short time, but was less successful, before acting as caretaker manager at Derby. He has guided Southend to 10th last season, but currently finds his side in 13th position.
Star Men:
John White: Colchester born White has been first choice for Powell in the right back position this season, with White having been at the club since 2013. He aided with the promotion from League Two in 2015 and has almost 300 games of League One experience, having also played for Colchester. The 32 year old has largely been deployed as a central-defender this season and will be a good match for the Blackpool strikers.
Sam Mantom: The central midfielder has played an important role in Powell's side this season, playing 39 matches so far. The 27 year old has been at many clubs and many of them were in League One at the time. He has played for Walsall, Scunthorpe, West Brom, Huakar Hafnarfjordur, Oldham and Tranmere, amounting to over 200 appearances at this level.
Simon Cox: Irishman Cox has a wealth of experience and has been at Southend since 2016. The 31 year old has over 157 games of Championship experience and has scored 40 times in 137 matches for Southend, assisting 19 times. Much of the play goes through Cox and Blackpool should be wary.
Stats:
Without a win in 7 and Southend's playoff dream is presumably over, as they are set for another mid-table finish this season. They seemingly are scoring enough goals, 1.26 on average, but they have been defensively poor. The fact that they have shipped 1.37 goals on average can not have been aided by their persistent injury issues, especially when it considered that they actually started off the season quite well.
Away from home they tend to be quite cautious. Both teams have scored in just 35% of their away matches and they have failed to score 41% of the time. Southend will looked to be organised on Saturday, but with in excess of 14,000 Blackpool fans firmly behind their team, those clear defensive cracks are sure to appear.
Last Meeting:
Interviews:
Prediction 3-1:
Although I think Blackpool will win this match 3-1, that is not what is important. Bloomfield Road will be bouncing once more and the community will come together, that is what truly matters. Blackpool could win and could lose, but ultimately Blackpool are back.
Other Fixtures:
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