Dale v Shrimpers

[Fedora Dale]

Potentially a tricky one. Southend have some good players, but don't appear to have been firing on all cylinders this season. Maybe affected by the speculation of Phil Brown leaving for the Bolton job over the summer?

Dale will have to make changes. Jamie Allen picked up a knock at Charlton, whilst Matt Lund is both suspended and on international duty. So two midfielders need to come in to join Callum Camps. The choices appear to be.from:
Donal McDermott (more of a winger, and not been at his best so far this season)
Keith Keane (moved forward from defence, but the defence has been a lot better with him in it)
Andy Cannon (played 90 minutes Tuesday after injury, but also normally plays wide.right)
Reuben Noble-Lazarus (played.90 minutes Tuesday, has never been really convincing)
Joe Thompson (steady and reliable, but also more of a winger)
Aaron Morley (good.debut on Tuesday, but is a 16 yo trainee, albeit a big strong one)
Olly Rathbone (ex Manchester United youngster, also made debut Tuesday, looked fairly useful)

Personally,.I'd go with Cannon and Thompson wide, and young Morley sitting alongside Camps in the middle.

Stephen Davies also picked up a knock in midweek in the tinpot trophy game. Hopefully he'll be fit, however if not Sanmi Odelusi.might get a start up.front alongside The Calvinator.

I understand from perusing Southends forum that Nile Ranger might be fit again. If so, I think he'll score. But Dale have enough about them to get a couple themselves.

So 2-1 to Dale, with a pretty impressive 500 to 600 travelling Shrimpers being disappointed.

 

[Dale4ever]

Allen is out long term with a knee injury, unfortunately isn't just a knock. Vincenti had surgery yesterday. Hendo injured. Lund on international duty as you've mentioned. McNulty still out injured. Very much down to the bare bones today, hope Davies has recovered from his knock too.

 

[Fedora Dale]

That'll do.

 

[Shrimpurh]

#Brownin