Southend United v Barrow: six at Gateshead, now back it up at home
Austin’s hat-trick and a memorable away win have raised the mood. Barrow bring a different test to Roots Hall.
Six before half-time is the sort of score that makes you check it again. We have had a week to enjoy it. Now comes the next job.
Southend return to Roots Hall second in the National League. Barrow arrive after beating Aldershot 1–0, so expecting a repeat of Gateshead would be an excellent way to make Saturday harder than it needs to be.
Good performances are creating good problems
Austin followed his goal against Tamworth with a first-half hat-trick on Tyneside. Cardwell scored twice, McAdam scored again and Massiah-Edwards created the opening two goals on his first start.
Those contributions give Dyer a strong argument for continuity. They also leave Colclough, Omochere, Popoola, Kamara and Twamley competing to change his mind or change the game later.
The value is in what those players do when selected. We have already seen the bench transform Tamworth and several of those options then make their starts count at Gateshead.
Barrow will ask a different question
The visitors have beaten Sutton 3–0 and Aldershot 1–0 this month, with a 1–0 defeat at Solihull between those wins. Their recent clean sheets suggest Southend may have to work through more resistance than they encountered last Saturday.
If the middle of the pitch is crowded, moving the ball wide and back across quickly will matter. Daley-Campbell and McAdam have both contributed to the attack, but the support behind their forward runs needs to be there.
Patience should not mean slow football. It means continuing to move and offer passes when the first route is closed, rather than forcing the ball into the same space.
Selection is earned, not automatic
Austin’s four goals in two matches make him difficult to leave out. Massiah-Edwards has made an immediate case too, while Cardwell’s brace was exactly the response a centre-forward wants.
Our original predicted side included Duncan; Daley-Campbell, Goodliffe, Cox and McAdam; Oli Coker and Oldaker; Massiah-Edwards, Chambers-Parillon and Austin; Cardwell. That is a prediction, not confirmed team news.
The Shrimpers-online verdict
I want us to carry the confidence from Gateshead without carrying an expectation that goals will simply arrive. Barrow’s recent results give enough warning against that.
There is plenty to be positive about: different scorers, competition for places and players creating from wide areas. The next step is making those strengths work against an opponent prepared to deny space.
The original call is 2–0 to Southend. A clean sheet would be welcome, and any home win would be a good way to follow the trip north. Up the Shrimpers.
Our prediction
Southend United 2–0 Barrow
A supporter’s prediction, not confirmed team news or a guarantee.
