One-on-One: Southend United Fan Interview

Continuing our new pre-match feature, John Lee talks to Southend United fan Peter Miles ahead of Tranmere's away game against his side.....  

JL:  Tranmere Rovers at home for you guys at the weekend.  What do you know about us?

PM:  A big club in a whole lot of trouble.  Would be tragic to see you guys slipping out of the League.  First went to Prenton Park in 86. Southend unbelievably won 3-1!

JL:  Have any Tranmere players from over the years caught your eye?

PM:  Gary Bennett always played well against us and he was popular in his time at Roots Hall.  In the modern era Koumas was a wonderful player.  I remember being at Prenton Park once and Tony Thomas caught us cold and scored within a few seconds of kick off.

JL:  You finished 5th last season & are right in the mix again this year.  How have you adapted to the League since relegation from League 1?

PM:  Our form against the better clubs has not been good enough and we play a frustrating game under Phil Brown of protecting a lead which sometimes back fires on us.  We dont concede many but we dont score many either.  Our keeper Dan Bentley equals a club record if he keeps a clean sheet on Saturday.

JL:  You have only lost one of your last eight games and not too far away from 3rd.  Do you have a chance of automatic promotion?

PM:  Wycombe's recent losses have opened that door again. Its the glimmer of a chance of automatic promotion thats kills you!  The game in hand is Bury away, a win at Gigg Lane will be key.

JL:  Barry Corr is your top goalscorer.  Think you'll keep hold of him this summer?

PM:  He is out of contract. He now has 60 goals for us which has him 14th on our all time scorers list.  Sturrock back in management is a worry as he will come after Corr no doubt.  He was out for 17 months and we stood by him, there is a strong bond for him here.

JL:  Lee Barnard always seems to play well against us.  Is he likely to play on Saturday?

PM:  No sadly, Lee is a shadow of his former self.  Constantly injured.  One of those nostalgia signings that hasnt worked.  Corr will be up front with either Pigott or Cassidy, both loanees.  Phil Brown took half a season to realise 4-4-2 is best in League 2.

JL:  Jake Cassidy had three loan spells with us.  He was incredible during one of them & fired us to the top of League 1.  How's he getting on?

PM:  Cassidy is working hard but the goals arent coming and he looks a little low on confidence.  Talent is there though undoubtedly.

JL:  Who should we be watching out for at the weekend?  Who's on form?

PM:  Corr is on fire now he has someone along side him.  David Worrall has been a fantastic signing for us and our defence is strong.  Veteran Adam Barrett has been immense in the last two games.  Youngster Jack Payne is known as "little Messi".  Tiny in stature but very skilful.  He has broken through this season from the academy.

JL:  Marc Laird started the season as a figure of hate & ridicule but has turned it around recently.  What did the Southend fans think of him?

PM:  He was a great player for Sturrock, very underrated.  Lost his place and couldnt get it back.  I personally thought he was decent.  Lost his place through injury which was a shame.

JL:  How do you get on at home against those in the relegation fight?

PM:  We normally beat the sides lower down, its games against those around us in the table that have seen us come up short.  The big problem we have at home is against sides who come for a draw and stick ten behind the ball. 

JL:  Prediction for the game?

PM:  2-0 Southend with Dan Bentley keeping his tenth home league clean sheet in a row to equal Mervyn Cawston from 80/81.

JL:  Prediction for where both clubs will finish and would you like to see Tranmere survive?

PM:  I would love Tranmere Rovers to survive.  They are a big club to go out of the League but sadly some others down there are showing signs of form at a vital time.  Hope you claw your way out!  Heart says 3rd, head says play off heartache for the Shrimpers.

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Big thanks to Peter Miles (@PeterRMiles).  Some great answers and insight into Southend United.