Bristol Rovers - Southend, English League Two
2004-08-21 16.00 CET
Pick: Bristol Rovers
Stake: 3%
Odds: 1,65
Final reasons
Bristol Rovers has set their aim on promotion this year. Their start of the new season is very promising since they have won three and drew one in the league and also won against Brighton in the Carling Cup. Tonight they face a Southend side that so far has shown a great inability to score which has seen them drop to second from bottom place in the league with only two points. We believe in a comfortable home victory but since it is in the early stages of the season we suggest a medium stake, 3%.
General comment about the game
Tonight Bristol Rovers will play host to Southend in the English League Two. Bristol Rovers is one of the favourites to get promoted this year. Bristol has made several changes in the squad to this season; 11 players out since May and 13 in during the same time! Among the leavers there are some regulars from last year; top scorer Paul Tait (who has been entitled to speak to another club after last season), defenders Austin and Barrett and midfielders Carlisle, Quinn and Hyde. Most noticeable newcomers are defenders Craig Hinton, Steve Elliott, Robbie Ryan and midfielders James Hunt, Stuart Campbell, Paul Trollope and striker Jamie Forrester. Yesterday they also finalised the signing of midfielder Aaron Lescott from Stockport. Manager Ian Atkins has spoken about his enthusiasm ahead of this season which he thinks will be a lucky one. Their start of the new season is promising and it looks as the changes in the squad will turn out right; so far they are unbeaten and have collected ten points from twelve available. Also in midweek they made a fine performance when they beat Championship side Brighton in the Carling Cup with 2-1. Manager Atkins made some changes to this game and gave strikers Lee Thorpe and new boy Richard Walker a chance to impress when first choice strikers Forrester and Junior Agogo was rested. Both impressed and scored one goal each which will give Atkins some selection headache in front of tonight’s game. However we believe that he will stick with his regular pair, especially Agogo who has scored four goals so far. No injury worries are reported.
Southend was expected by many to be fighting for an upper half place in front of this season. However after their bad start they are rated second from bottom among the bookmakers to win the league. Two points and only one goal scored (and that from the penalty spot!) from four matches is not good. It looks as they will miss last years top scorer Leon Constantine (21 goals) more than they thought. The new Peterborough striker was the only one in the squad that scored more than 6 goals last season. Their hope upfront is set to Dave Broughton and new signings Lawrie Dudfield (who has been on loan in the club since February) and Wayne Gray. The midfield looks almost the same as last year but their defence has changed a lot; Cort, Stuart, Warren and McSweeney have all left so the club has signed goalkeeper Bart Griemink and defenders Spencer Prior, Nicky Nicolau, Andy Edwards and Adam Barrett (from Bristol Rovers!). All but Barrett has been in the starting eleven in all league games this season. The main problem for Southend so far this season is their inability to score goals. This has been obvious in their most recent matches; against Cambridge in the league and in midweek against West Ham in the Carling Cup. In both games they played good and created some fine goal scoring opportunities. However, they missed them all and drew goalless against Cambridge and lost 2-0 against West Ham. Southend is still missing promising youngster Michael Kightly and Jay Smith otherwise no injuries or suspensions are reported.
Recent games for home team
|
2004-08-21 |
Darlington-Bristol R |
0-1 |
|
2004-08-14 |
Bristol R-Notts County |
2-1 |
|
2004-08-10 |
Bristol R-Bury |
2-2 |
|
2004-08-07 |
Mansfield-Bristol R |
0-2 |
Recent games for away team
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2004-08-21 |
Southend-Cambridge |
0-0 |
|
2004-08-14 |
Rochdale-Southend |
2-0 |
|
2004-08-10 |
Lincoln-Southend |
1-1 |
|
2004-08-07 |
Southend-Cheltenham |
0-2 |
Home table
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Bristol Rovers |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4-3 |
4 |
Away table
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Southend |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1-3 |
1 |
Links for this game
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// SportsObserver 040827
