Southend United v Tamworth: let’s make the running at Roots Hall

What the Carlisle draw should teach us

We returned from Brunton Park with a point and a remarkable Kyle McAdam goal to remember. We also returned with the memory of Georgie Kelly equalising at the very end. It was difficult to know whether to be pleased or furious at the final whistle. I settled on a bit of both.

There is genuine resilience in this Southend side. We had to work our way back into the game, Promise Omochere made another important contribution and Leon Chambers-Parillon finished his opportunity well. The concern is that Carlisle made enough chances to put the match to bed before our late rally. We have to stop giving teams that opportunity.

Southend have 14 points from seven league matches. That is a good platform, with reason to think there is more to come. For me, a proper home performance against Tamworth would be as valuable psychologically as the points. Start well, make the chances, keep the opposition at arm’s length and let the players show they can win without extraordinary last-minute intervention.

There is more to Tamworth than 22nd place

Tamworth have taken five points from seven fixtures, and their goals-against column is not pleasant reading: 19 conceded. But they have scored 13 themselves, finding the net in every one of their league matches. Both teams have scored in all seven.

That includes a 3–3 draw away at Boreham Wood and a 3–2 victory over Worthing. Those results tell you they are capable of staying in games even when defending is a problem. Their away numbers — a draw, three defeats, seven scored and 13 conceded — should encourage Southend to go on the front foot, but not to switch off at the back.

There is a danger when supporters see a side in the bottom three. We start talking as though the score has already been settled, then get annoyed when the visitors have the nerve to compete. Tamworth are going to turn up with a plan. Our job is to be better than that plan, not simply hope the league positions do the work.

Tamworth player to watch: Kieren Donnelly

Kieren Donnelly has five league goals already and is an obvious player for the Southend defence to keep close. He will not need six or seven chances to make his mark. I would like to see us deny him the easy second balls and make sure there is cover when he moves into the areas between defenders.

But this is not a one-man attack. Tamworth’s 13 goals show they are finding different ways to threaten. If Southend overload forward without guarding the space left behind, we could make a night that should favour us unnecessarily awkward. After what happened at Carlisle, that is the last thing I want.

Selection is about energy as much as form

It is a quick turnaround after the trip to Cumbria, and Dyer has to judge who has recovered properly. The substitutes made a clear impact there. Omochere followed his Yeovil winner by setting up Chambers-Parillon, while Massiah-Edwards made his debut. Popoola and Austin are also options if changes are needed.

There is a temptation to demand every in-form attacker starts. I understand that, especially when Omochere keeps making things happen, but midfield balance matters. Oli Coker, Hartigan and Oldaker need to get Southend passing forward without leaving the centre of the pitch open whenever we lose possession.

I want us to move the ball quickly enough to turn Tamworth’s defence around. Make their players run towards their own goal, rather than allowing them to get organised with a line of bodies in front of us. We have shown we can play good attacking football. The next step is putting those spells together for a whole match.

What I will be looking for at Roots Hall

The atmosphere will be positive after the drama of the last two matches, and the players can give everyone something to get behind from the opening whistle. An early chance, a strong tackle in midfield, a run down the wing — small things that tell Tamworth they are in for a difficult night.

Equally, if we concede first, I do not want everybody reaching immediately for the comeback script. Let us be organised enough to avoid that situation. Control does not mean being boring; it means knowing when to attack and when to make the sensible decision.

Our prediction

Southend United 3–1 Tamworth

My score prediction before kick-off.