The Shrimpers v The Brewers

February 22, 2016 by Alec Hitchman

The Shrimpers v The Brewers – Southend United v Burton Albion

Watch The Match – Sky Sports – 7:30 PM

Southend United welcome Derbyshire based side Burton Albion to Roots Hall tonight (22/02/16), looking to get back to winning ways after Tuesday’s defeat at Bradford.

Last time out for Burton, they added another three points to their total by beating Chesterfield 1-0 at The Pirelli Stadium (Burton’s ground). Calum Butcher scored Burton’s goal just before half time. Whilst for Southend, we slumped to a 2-0 defeat away at Bradford.

The two sides have only played each other 13 times in total. The first meeting between the sides was as recent as 2010, when Southend lost 3-1 away at Burton. On the other hand, the most recent meeting was earlier this season at "The Pirelli", when Burton beat Southend 1-0. The goal was an unlucky own goal from Southend defender (now on loan at Northampton) Luke Prosser.

After the weekend’s results, Southend have slipped down to 9th, due to Sheffield United and Bradford picking up points. We are now 5 points off the play-off places. Burton surprisingly sit four points clear at the top of the league, having only joined League One in the summer (like Southend; we won the League Two play-off Final) after winning promotion as League Two Champions.

Overall Meetings

Burton Wins: 7
Southend Wins: 3
Draws: 3

Who are Burton Albion?

Full Name: Burton Albion Football Club
Founded: 1950
Nickname: The Brewers
Ground: The Pirelli Stadium (Capacity: 6,912)
Manager: Nigel Clough
2014-15 Season: League Two, 1st – Champions

Most Recent Line-Ups

Southend (v Bradford): Bentley (GK), O’Neill, Bolger, Barrett, Coker, Atkinson (Worrall 73’), Wordsworth, Timlin, Deegan (Loza 67’), McLaughlin (McQueen 59’), Hunt
Burton (v Chesterfield): McLaughlin (GK), Edwards, Mousinho, Cansdell-Sherriff (Flanagan 77’), McCrory, Weir, Duffy, Butcher (GOAL 45+1’ – Replaced by Reilly 74’), Naylor, Bennett (Akins 76’), Beavon

Last Time We Met – Saturday 3rd October 2015 – Burton 1-0 Southend

Burton: McLaughlin, Edwards, O’Connor, Mousinho, McCrory, Weir, Naylor, Akins, Duffy (Butcher 85’), El Khayati (Palmer 31’), Beavon (Thiele 76’)
Southend: Bentley, O’Neill, Bolger, Prosser (Own Goal 51’), Coker, Leonard, Deegan (Payne 83’), Timlin (Wordsworth 65’), Worrall (Weston 56’), Pigott, Mooney

Burton’s Last 6 Results

Chesterfield FC (H) – W 1-0
Bradford City (H) – W 3-1
Rochdale AFC (A) – L 2-1
Peterborough United (A) – W 0-1
Shrewsbury Town (H) – L 1-2
Coventry City (A) – W 0-2

What Could Happen?

A win for Blues on Monday night would put them on 50 points and into 7th place, leapfrogging Sheffield United and Bradford.

A win for Burton would only extend their lead at the top to 7 points.

Latest Blues News

Left-back Ben Coker will be pushing to start again after making his comeback from injury against Bradford last week. Blues are currently in talks with West Ham about extending Stephen Hendrie’s loan spell.

In midfield, David Worrall may start after making a substitute appearance against Bradford along with striker Jamar Loza.

On-loan Shrewsbury Town striker Tyrone Barnett will probably start after recovering from an injury he picked up against Scunthorpe recently.

The Opposition View

For each preview, I attempt to get the views of an opposition supporter. This week, we have two Burton fans...

Chris

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Burton?
Chris - Since my mate invited me to the play-off final in 2013 (vs Fleetwood)

2. What are your views on how the season has gone for you so far?
Brilliant!

3. Who has been your most impressive player and why?
Beavon - Really stepped up his game to League One, incredible work rate. Starting to throw in some nice skills too lately!

4. Which result have you been most pleased with so far and why?
Coventry 0 - 2 Burton, great day out, unexpected result and seemingly damaged a hopeful team. Also had a massive away following (1.5k). Which I doubt we'll see on Monday!

5. What are your views on Southend United?
I have no views - just another football team

6. Are there any teams in League One who have surprised you?
To be honest - Us. It's fairly ridiculous if you think about it!

7. If you are attending the game, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?
I won't be coming unfortunately - A bit of a trek

8. Links - What do you think of former Southend & Burton players Matt Paterson & Rob Kiernan?
See answer to Q1, I'm too new to answer this...

9. Where do you expect both Burton and Southend to finish this season?
Burton: Automatics, Southend: play-offs

10. Score Prediction for the game
Southend 0-1 Burton

T.J.

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Burton?
T.J, since 1964

2. What are your views on how the season has gone for you so far?
Beyond my wildest dreams and expectations

3. Who has been your most impressive player and why?
Stuart Beavon

4. Which result have you been most pleased with so far and why?
Beating Coventry city at the Ricoh

5. What are your views on Southend United?
You are a long way away and you have an ex Derby County manager [like us]!

6. Are there any teams in League One who have surprised you?
Yes. Us!

7. If you are attending the game, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?
Sorry, not able to go on a workday Monday evening!

8. Links - What do you think of former Southend & Burton players Matt Paterson & Rob Kiernan?
Matt was a decent player.

9. Where do you expect both Burton and Southend to finish this season?
I hope the Albion will get automatic promotion. You might get into the playoffs. It all depends on how we both do over the next few matches

10. Score Prediction for the game
Southend 0-1 Burton