Southend United v Tamworth: The Shrimpers Look to Turn Carlisle Point Into Roots Hall Victory

Southend United have little time to dwell on the extraordinary conclusion to Saturday’s trip to Carlisle United as Kieron Dyer’s side return to Roots Hall for another National League test against Tamworth.

The Shrimpers were second best for long periods at Brunton Park and could easily have been out of the contest before the closing stages. Instead, Leon Chambers-Parillon equalised in the 83rd minute and Kyle McAdam’s magnificent stoppage-time strike briefly looked to have stolen all three points.

Georgie Kelly’s 96th-minute equaliser denied Southend an unlikely victory, but a 2-2 draw on an evening when they were far from their best may prove to be a useful point.

Now comes a very different challenge.

Southend will be expected to take the initiative against a Tamworth side sitting near the bottom of the table, but Andy Peaks’ Lambs have already shown that their league position does not tell the complete story.

Southend’s start

Four wins, two draws and one defeat from the opening seven league fixtures represents an excellent start for The Shrimpers.

Southend have collected 14 points from a possible 21 and sit fifth in a tightly-packed group near the top of the National League.

The last two matches have demonstrated a different side to Dyer’s team.

Against Yeovil, Southend recovered from 2-0 down to win 3-2 after scoring three times in 19 second-half minutes. At Carlisle, they were again behind before producing another late fightback.

There is plenty to admire in that resilience, although Dyer will undoubtedly want a more controlled performance on Tuesday night.

Southend cannot continually rely on dramatic late recoveries.

Tamworth’s season so far

Tamworth arrive at Roots Hall in 22nd place with five points from their opening seven matches.

The headline record of one win, two draws and four defeats looks poor, but their results show why Southend cannot afford to approach this as a routine home fixture.

The Lambs have scored 13 times — an impressive return for a side in the relegation places — but their problems have come at the other end.

Nineteen goals have been conceded and Tamworth are still searching for their first clean sheet of the league season.

They are also yet to win away from home. Four trips have produced one draw and three defeats, with seven goals scored and 13 conceded.

That combination makes Tamworth one of the division’s most unpredictable teams.

They can hurt opponents, but opponents are consistently finding ways through them as well.

How they compare

The unusual Tamworth statistic

Perhaps the most revealing statistic ahead of Tuesday’s game is that Tamworth have neither kept a clean sheet nor failed to score.

Both teams have found the net in all seven of their league fixtures.

Their opening-day 3-3 draw at Boreham Wood immediately demonstrated their attacking capability. They have since scored three against Worthing, twice against Yeovil and Boston, and even found the net in heavy defeats at Halifax and Harrogate.

Southend therefore have every reason to believe chances will come at Roots Hall, but a clean sheet cannot be taken for granted.

Tamworth’s danger men

Last time out: Harrogate 3-1 Tamworth

Tamworth actually made the perfect start at Harrogate on Saturday when Milnes put them ahead after only six minutes.

The advantage lasted ten minutes before Bailey Hobson equalised, with Will McGowan then putting Harrogate ahead shortly before half-time.

Jaze Hmami added the third after the break to complete a 3-1 victory for a Harrogate side currently setting the early pace near the top of the division.

Peaks used a 4-4-2 system with Jas Singh in goal and Donnelly partnered by Dan Creaney in attack.

For Southend, the lesson is clear: Tamworth are capable of striking early and causing problems, but they have struggled to protect themselves once opponents gain momentum.

The key battle: Southend’s attack against Tamworth’s defence

This looks like the area where Tuesday’s game should be decided.

Southend have scored in every league match and have now found the net 14 times in seven games.

Tamworth, meanwhile, are conceding at an average of 2.71 goals per game and have allowed 13 goals in four away fixtures.

The Shrimpers should therefore have opportunities, particularly if they can move the ball quickly and force Tamworth’s back four to defend facing their own goal.

But the Carlisle performance provides an important warning from the other direction. Southend allowed the hosts too many opportunities and were fortunate to remain only one goal behind at half-time.

With Donnelly in excellent form, another loose defensive display could be punished.

Southend team considerations

The quick turnaround from Saturday evening at Carlisle to Tuesday night at Roots Hall gives Dyer decisions to make.

Southend started at Brunton Park with Joe Duncan behind Vontae Daley-Campbell, Ben Goodliffe, Rayan Oyebade and Kyle McAdam. Darren Oldaker operated at the base of midfield, with Anthony Hartigan, Ollie Coker and Leon Chambers-Parillon ahead of him, while Harry Cardwell and Ryan Colclough formed the attacking pair.

The second half again showed the strength available from the bench.

Zavier Massiah-Edwards made his Southend debut at half-time, while Promise Omochere and Josh Popoola were introduced before the hour. Sam Austin also entered the game and Harry Taylor returned late on.

Omochere has now made an impact in consecutive matches. After scoring the winner on his debut against Yeovil, he created Chambers-Parillon’s equaliser at Carlisle.

That gives Dyer a genuine decision over whether to hand the forward his first Southend start against a Tamworth defence which has struggled throughout the opening weeks.

The Shrimpers-online predicted Southend XI

The biggest call is up front.

Omochere’s contribution from the bench in his first two Southend appearances makes a first start increasingly difficult to resist, particularly against a side conceding almost three goals per league game.

There is also an argument for rotation after the long trip to Carlisle and the short recovery period, so Dyer has options if he decides fresh legs are needed.

What Southend need to do

The priority should be control.

The Shrimpers have demonstrated plenty of character over the last two matches, but a third successive game requiring a late rescue act would be pushing their luck.

Southend should expect to have more possession than they did at Carlisle and must use it to make Tamworth defend for sustained periods.

If The Shrimpers can score first, the visitors’ record suggests further opportunities should follow.

At the other end, stopping Donnelly will be crucial. Tamworth’s position in the table should not distract from the fact that only one goal separates the two teams’ attacking totals after seven games.

The Shrimpers-online prediction

A chance to keep pace at the top

Seven games do not decide a season, but Southend have put themselves in an excellent early position.

The point at Carlisle means The Shrimpers enter Tuesday night with 14 points from seven matches and only three points separating them from leaders Boreham Wood.

Fixtures against sides near the bottom can sometimes prove more awkward than expected, particularly against a Tamworth team whose matches have been so open.

But if Southend have genuine ambitions of remaining among the National League’s leading clubs, this is exactly the type of home fixture they will want to turn into three points.

After two extraordinary late fightbacks, a rather more straightforward night at Roots Hall would be welcome.