Blues welcome Rochdale to Roots Hall tomorrow afternoon with Southend looking to put an end to a run of five games without a win since their opening day victory against Blackburn Rovers.
That win against Rovers feels like a long time ago now and Phil Brown has major concerns going into Saturday’s game with a number of first team players out through injury.
Similarly, Rochdale have a number of players missing as Keith Hill and his Dale side travel down to Roots Hall in search of their first league win of the season.
Dale so far have only picked up two points from their opening four games with Steve Davies the only Rochdale player to score in the league thus far.
Southend United: LDDLLW
Rochdale: DLLDWL
14th January 2017: Southend United (Fortune, Cox) 2 vs 1 (Andrew) Rochdale
8th October 2016: Rochdale (Canavan, Andrew, Mendez-Laing) 3 vs 0 Southend United
24th March 2016: Rochdale (Holt, Rafferty, Allen, Bunney) 4 vs 1 (Payne) Southend United
Phil Brown has a selection headache at the back as he tries to patch together a defence who could be missing up to six first team players come Saturday afternoon.
Ben Coker and Michael Turner have been out since the start of the season, Rob Kiernan is touch and go with a knee injury whilst Anton Ferdinand and John White both picked up knocks midweek.
On top of that, Jason Demetriou is currently away on international duty with Cyprus meaning that youngsters such as Elvis Bwomono and Harry Kyprianou may be called upon.
Rochdale have similar issues with team selection with Keith Hill describing his side as being down to the “barebones” before last weekend’s draw with Bury.
However the Dale will be bolstered by their two transfer deadline day signings Donervon Daniels and Jordan Williams who both joined on loan from Wigan and Liverpool respectively.
Phil Brown, Southend United Manager;
“In the last four years I don’t think I’ve had four centre backs sitting in the treatment room, a right back away on international duty, a right back deputising at centre half and a left back with a broken leg. Apart from that it’s ok!
“But I believe Rochdale have got the same crisis, whether it’s in the strike-force in the midfield or at the back.
Keith Hill, Rochdale Manager;
Southend United are continueing to support the Grenfell Tower victims by donating £1 from every home match adult ticket sold that takes place up until 30th September.
Tickets are still available to purchase here.
