Shrimper On The BBQ?

I could definitely get used to the warm and sunny weather we've enjoyed these past couple of days. Today in particular has been great and it's set to continue in to Saturday, ensuring a fiery heat on the pitch as the Gas take on the Shrimpers at the Mem. Southend head west looking to maintain their promotion push after stuttering in midweek with a home defeat to Aldershot, whilst Rovers go in to the game on the back of a 1-1 draw down in Plymouth. In the reverse fixture Rovers took a point away from Roots Hall as a Matt Harrold header gave us the lead, before Neil Harris equalised later in the game.

It'll be a good contest tomorrow with the visitors coming to try and win the game. As a team that will probably help us, as our counter attacks are likely to cause more problems for opposition who commit men forward themselves. In saying that, every attack is difficult on our pitch with the dodgy bounces and divots that prevent clean passes being delivered. We'll certainly have a better chance of causing them problems down the wings if they set up to attack us though.

In their forward line they will welcome back a former fan favourite as loan recruit Freddy Eastwood is set to make his second debut for the club. The Coventry man has gone off the boil in recent years with a lack of game time contributing to his lack of goals, a problem that's only really formed since his move from Southend over 5 years ago. He'll want to come back with a bang and could start up top alongside Eliot Benyon, who has hit goals in recent appearances. Whoever starts for them will provide menace, that's for sure. Big Tunisian Bilel Mohsni has been left in the wilderness of late due to indiscipline, but he looks like he could return to the squad tomorrow. Standing at over 6 foot, the versatile spearhead will lead most ventures forward that they have and will provide a serious problem for our centre backs from set-pieces.

Zebs and Harrold celebrating a friendly goal last summer.

For us though, all the players came through the midweek trip to Argyle unscathed and we should set up with the same starting eleven. Harrold will be hoping to score again after netting the opener on Tuesday, whilst Chris Zebroski will want to contribute having not scored since our draw with Torquay a fortnight ago. Muzzy Carayol will have been disappointed not to score with the efforts and chances he had, but the game-changing wide man will have his eyes fixed on goals tomorrow in order to continue his fine run of form. Fingers crossed we can remain tight at the back and put them under enough pressure to score a few goals and keep on the tails of the sides above us in the table.

It'll be boiling tomorrow, so hopefully we can chill out come 5 o'clock knowing 3 points have been secured.

Up the Gas!