The Cobblers travel to Southend on Boxing Day to face a side bereft of confidence following a poor run of form that's seen them go from playoff contention to mid-table in a matter of weeks.
Form
Southend have lost their last three games, the latest being a 3-0 drubbing at Hartlepool last Friday night. The only win in the last few weeks has been the 3-1 win over Luton Town in the FA Cup Second Round, setting them up with a third round tie at Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
The Cobblers followed up the incredible 4-4 draw at Scunthorpe with a more straiught forward 1-0 home win over Carlisle United on Saturday. Jason Crowe's header was enough to seal the points and move us into the top half of the table.
Team News
Southend are without defenders Adam Barrett and Dan Harding who both miss the game through suspension. Franck Moussa has completed his loan period at Wycombe and could come back into the squad for the visit of the Cobblers.
Stuart Gray's only injury concern is skipper Chris Doig who definately misses out again but other than that he has a fully fit squad to choose from and coule name an unchanged side from last weekend's win over Carlisle.
Recent Meetings
12/04/08: SOUTHEND 1-1 COBBLERS
Colin Larkin heads the Cobblers in front in the first half but Lee Barnard taps home a rebound to equalise following Charlie Mulgrew's free kick.
03/11/08: COBBLERS 0-1 SOUTHEND
Adam Barrett's second half header gives Southend all three points at Sixfields and starts us off on a run of seven games without a win.
21/05/05: SOUTHEND 1-0 COBBLERS (League Two Playoff Semi Final, 2nd Leg)
Fredy Eastwood's controversial penalty sends Southend to the Millennium Stadium and the League Two playoff final as the Cobblers come up short in the playoffs for the second season in a row.
15/05/05: COBBLERS 0-0 SOUTHEND (League Two Playoff Semi Final, 1st Leg)
A nervy playoff semi final, first leg at Sixfields that ends goalless.
19/02/05: COBBLERS 1-2 SOUTHEND
Martin Smith fires the Cobblers into a seventh minute lead but two identical headers from Adam Barrett turns the game in Southend's favour late in the game, the winner coming in stoppage time.
30/11/04: COBBLERS 0-2 SOUTHEND (JPT Southern Area Quarter Final)
Former Cobbler Lawrie Dudfield and Carl Pettifer score the goals to send The Shrimpers through to the Southern Area Semi Finals.
30/10/04: SOUTHEND 2-1 COBBLERS
Mark Gower and Wayne Gray score either side of a missed Scott McGleish penalty to hand Southend a two goal lead. Eric Sabin strikes late on to give us hope but the home side hang on.
Head to Head...Shrimpers v Cobblers...
Games Played: 121
Southend Wins: 41
Draws: 28
Cobblers Wins: 52
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