Southend United v Yeovil Town: time to make the good spells count

The lesson from Kidderminster and Woking

At Roots Hall last Friday, Leon Chambers-Parillon scored early against Kidderminster. We had chances to make it two, perhaps even three, but at half-time it was only 1–0. The visitors changed their approach and we lost 3–1. That was hard to take.

Three days later at Woking, Harry Cardwell put us ahead from the penalty spot. Lewys Twamley was a real handful on his first start and we should have been further in front. Once again the opposition made changes at the break, came at us and took their opportunity. This time Joe Duncan helped protect a point, but it still felt like more had been there for the taking.

I don’t think the answer is simply to demand that every chance goes in. Even the best strikers miss. What worries me is how the whole side looks when the other team starts getting on top. We need more control of the midfield, quicker decisions in possession and a way to relieve pressure without just sending the ball straight back.

We’ve got ten points from five games. That’s a decent start. But it could have been more, and the players will know it. Saturday is a chance to show they’ve been paying attention.

Yeovil arrive with an unbeaten record

Billy Rowley’s Yeovil have made an excellent start to the campaign. They drew at Scunthorpe, drew at home to Carlisle and then reeled off three victories against Gateshead, Barrow and Tamworth. Eleven points from five matches have put them fourth, one point ahead of Southend.

The 3–0 home win over Gateshead showed how dangerous they can be when chances come. They then travelled to Barrow and found a late winner before surviving a lively 3–2 contest with Tamworth on Bank Holiday Monday. They aren’t short of confidence, and why would they be?

Yeovil have scored ten league goals and conceded five. That’s a useful record at both ends. They have match-winners in midfield and attack, and goalkeeper Jos Barker has already had to produce some important saves.

There are two familiar names in the visiting squad too: Joe Gubbins and Slavi Spasov. They will get their share of recognition, but the sentiment ends when the whistle goes. Nobody gets extra space because they used to play for us.

This is exactly the kind of match I want Southend to embrace. An unbeaten opponent at Roots Hall, a chance to move above them and a clear reason to improve on our last two performances. If our ambitions are serious, these are the afternoons we have to relish.

Opposition player to watch: Luke McCormick

Luke McCormick is the Yeovil player I would be telling our midfield to watch closely. He is their captain and has already shown a knack for arriving at the right time. His two goals helped put Gateshead away; he scored from the spot at Barrow and found the net again against Tamworth.

That latest goal came from a smart passage of play involving Brett McGavin, who has been important to Yeovil’s attacking build-up. McCormick gets forward into positions where midfielders can be difficult to track, and he doesn’t need many opportunities to make a difference.

We saw against Woking how quickly a loose ball around our area can become a goal when opponents keep following in. I don’t want McCormick finding those spaces on Saturday. Southend need to keep their shape, close the gaps between midfield and defence and avoid giving him the freedom to arrive late into the box.

There are other threats too. Stephen Walker has already scored, Mason Obeng can trouble teams from wide positions and Yeovil have players capable of making something happen from a set piece. Concentrating on their captain alone would be asking for problems elsewhere.

Dyer’s attacking options are giving him decisions

It was encouraging to see Twamley take his opportunity at Woking. He played without fear, forced Jääskeläinen into a save and nearly scored after rounding the goalkeeper. That sort of direct running is useful when a game becomes congested.

Cardwell continues to work for the side and took his penalty calmly on Monday. Popoola has already shown an instinct for rebounds and loose balls in the box. Chambers-Parillon brings pace and unpredictability, while Coker’s influence in our early goals has been excellent.

Ryan Colclough is capable of producing something from very little, Darren Oldaker offers a different option in midfield and Dyer can turn to other attacking players as the match demands. Sahid Kamara’s fitness will need checking after concerns at Woking; I don’t want to pass off a possible problem as a confirmed injury.

With those options, we ought to create chances against anybody in this division. The key is what we do once we’ve created them. Can we make a good twenty-minute spell hurt the opposition enough that they can’t simply recover with one substitution and one goal?

Make Roots Hall count

Yeovil have every reason to fancy themselves. Their results have been excellent and they won’t arrive here to sit back in admiration. But our supporters have already seen signs of what this Southend side can do when it moves the ball quickly and gets runners into the area.

I want us to start on the front foot, but not get reckless. Pick the right pass, support the man in possession and stay organised when an attack breaks down. If we score first, keep looking for the second. If Yeovil have a good spell, stand up to it and work our way back into the game.

Our prediction

Southend United 2–1 Yeovil Town