With time running out in the relegation dog fight, Southend are the visitors to Sixfields on Bank Holiday Monday and they’ll be looking to hammer another nail in the coffin for Stuart Gray’s men. But after a slightly improved performance in Good Friday’s 1-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers, the Cobblers will be praying for any kind of break to start the journey out of the drop zone.
Team News
Giles Coke is a major doubt for the Cobblers after he limped out of Friday’s game at Bristol Rovers. Meanwhile, Luke Guttridge is still struggling and will miss out again. Adam Watts looks likely to keep his place in defence while Ryan Gilligan came through the game OK and should be back in midfield on Monday.
Southend went into the bank holiday weekend with no fresh injury worries and striker James Walker s the only long term absentee with a hamstring injury.
Form
It’s now just four wins in twenty three for the Cobblers after defeat at Bristol Rovers on Good Friday and the defeat, handed to us by Jo Kuffour’s late strike, leaves us in the bottom four and desperate for a result.
Southend’s playoff hopes are all but over after they suffered a 2-0 loss at home to MK Dons on Friday. Mark Wright got both the goals for the Dons and despite twice having shots stopped on the line, Southend couldn’t respond.
Last Time Out...26/12/08: SOUTHEND 1-0 COBBLERS
Back on Boxing Day of last year, the Cobblers looked like they would hold on for a point despite having Abdul Osman sent off for a second yellow card in the second half. But a late free kick from on loan midfielder Junior Stanislas gave Southend all three points in a dour game at Roots Hall.
Previous 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.
Head to Head...Cobblers v Shrimpers...
Games Played: 122
Cobblers Wins: 52
Draws: 28
Southend Wins: 41
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