It never rains but it pours

From the Rage Online newsdesk Friday, April 27th, 2012  

Mark Gelder
Another game, and Oxford United's third consecutive draw meant the side have taken just three points from the last 15, and leaving their play-off hopes outside of their control. Plymouth took a very early lead, United equalised from an Asa Hall midfield thunderbolt, Adam Chapman's free kick bounced back out off the post, and the game finished 1-1. Perhaps the manager decided these last five games were perhaps a time to rest key players, to try out a few new ideas with formation changes up front, whilst keeping a play-off place safe. Instead there are now just two games left, and the hope that we can either catch up three points on Crewe, or four points on Cheltenham.

Back to business, and first Oxford face Paul Sturrock's Southend United on Saturday. Barring huge turnarounds in goal difference, the Shrimpers are uncatchable in 5th place, but defeats for Crawley and Torquay could leave them in with a shout of automatic promotion on the final day of the season, if they pick up at least one point tomorrow.

Ryan Hall has been the problem man for Southend against Oxford this season, scoring in the 2-1 away league defeat, and also the 1-0 Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat. We have to look back to November 2004 for Oxford's last victory, 2-1 under Ramon Diaz, with goals from Craig Davies and Tommy Mooney.

United News
Ryan Clarke is still out injured, and the experience Wayne Brown has proved a more than adequate replacement, making his 500th league appearance last week. This is no time in the season to be reliant on the goalkeeper staying on the pitch, and Max Crocombe will presumably be ready on the bench again.

In defence, Damian Batt missed the Plymouth game after rolling an ankle the week before, but is now back in training, however it could be a game too soon. Presumably, Liam Davis, Jake Wright, Michael Duberry, and Andy Whing will make up the back four. Yet to make an appearance this season, Tony Capaldi was on the bench last week in favour of both Antony Tonkin and Harry Worley.

Peter Leven also returned last week [his injury at Northampton was first feared to be damage to his cruciate knee ligaments, but turned out to be bruised bones, however he still carries his shoulder injury, awaiting surgery in the Summer].

Adam Chapman moved back in front of the back four, with Leven and Asa Hall the midfield in front of Cristian Montano, Scott Rendell and Dean Morgan. James Constable replaced Scott Rendell on the hour mark, but just 13 minutes later was off with a thigh injury, and we have heard no news on his fitness yet. Oli Johnson came on for Cristian Montano last week, and JPP has been declared ready for first team action, if he can make it into the match-day squad. Tyrone Marsh has also been training with the first team squad for the first time since turning pro, scoring against Colchester midweek, which possibly takes his tally to 25 for the season.

Shrimpers News
Paul Sturrock had a really difficult start to his Southend career for 2010/11 due to a transfer embargo, with just four senior players and the youth team available going into the first game at Stockport, although this was eventually lifted in time. With 17 days of the transfer window he had to find another 17 players, and they eventually finished just one place behind United in 13th last season.

Southend have been allocated 1,200 tickets in the North Stand (all ticket), and had just 250 left to sell earlier today.

Bad-boy Bilel Mohsni is a bit of an enigma for Paul Sturrock. In October, Mohsni was sent off at Oldham in the FA Cup, and got the train home. Then in February, he was substituted in a defeat at Morecambe, before again getting his own train home instead of the team coach. Sturrock somehow stood by him, and at Barnet last week was rewarded by Mohsni scoring all three goals in a twenty minute spell in the first half.

Southend's league position was achieved in a strong Autumn when they were top of the league mid November, in a run which saw them win 10 and and draw just two in the league, and matching their all-time 17 game unbeaten run. In recent games they have lost to Aldershot, Bristol Rovers, and AFC Bradford City, won again Cheltenham, AFC Wimbledon, and Barnet, drawing against Crawley, Accrington, and Torquay.

Top scorer is Mohsni with 12 in the league, Liam Dickinson has 10, and Ryan Hall nine. Somehow Mohsni is not top of the disciplinary charts. Dickinson has more fouls (52 to 43), Anthony Grant has more yellows (11 to 7), and all three have just the one red card each.

Other News
Congratulations to Eddie Newton, who played seven games on loan in April 2000, who as assistant manager at Chelsea has now guided them to both the FA Cup and Champions League Finals. [@opponent]Southend United[/@opponent][@connection]Plymouth Argyle[/@connection]

This entry was posted on Friday, April 27th, 2012 at 12:00 am and appears under 2012, News Items.

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