Southend Look at QPR...QPR Look at Southend

-

Southend's Playing Squad


Southend Official Site
TILSON TARGETS THREE POINTS

Tilson will be setting his team to go for the win at QPR on Saturday


Steve Tilson admitted Southend will be ready with the same outlook to try and get all three points at QPR tomorrow.

The Blues will travel to London again for their third fixture of the Championship season, on the back of impressing against Crystal Palace in midweek.

The result may not have gone their way, but Tilson feels more performances of that standard will see the Club hold their own at this level.

On the agenda now is going out with the intent to get all three points from Lotus Road.

"I think we have competed really well in the two games we have played so far," Steve told Blues World.

"I felt we played better Tuesday night at Crystal Palace than we did against Stoke and we've ended up losing 3-1.

"We have to defend better from set plays and if we had done that we would have won the game, but that's part and parcel of football.

If we come away with one point at QPR that will be a good result, but we'll go there looking for all three.

"We have to make sure we pick up better at set plays; whether it is a corner, free kick or throw-in.

"That's disappointing, but it was a good performance and hopefully if we have performances like that week-in, week-out then we can certainly compete in this league.

"Like I said from the start though, it's going to be a tough league for us and we need to take each game as it comes."

Tilson insists there are no easy games at this level, but it's a challenge his team are ready for.

With no fresh injury doubts, the Blues Chief is happy with the way everyone has competed in the Championship so far, but is under no illusions that QPR are still seeking their first win of the campaign.

"In the two games we have played everyone has made the step up," he said.

"Everyone is fine after Tuesday night and up until now we have picked up no new injuries.

"QPR will be under a little bit of pressure, as they have only got one point out the first two games, so we have to go there and be positive.

"If we come away with one point that will be a good result, but we'll go there looking for all three.

"We go into every game looking for three points, but it's going to be a tough test."


Southend Official Site



SOUTHEND OFFICIAL

BLUES RETURN TO LONDON
Eastwood has already found the net twice this season

Southend make their second trip to London in the space of five days when they face Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

This follows Tuesday nights 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, where having taken a first half lead through Freddy Eastwood, Palace managed three goals in the space of 10 second half minutes to turn the game on its head.

Despite the result the Blues performance will give them plenty of encouragement and Eastwood will be looking to add to his two-goal tally already this season.

Still on the injured list for Southend are Efe Sodje and Michael Ricketts, but there is good news from both parties.

Sodje is expected to play in next Wednesdays reserve team fixtures at Colchester United while Ricketts should return to first team training after sustaining an Achilles injury in pre-season.

QPR will be looking for their first win of the new season after losing their opening day match 2-0 at Burnley, although a last minute goal saw them earn a point in a 2-2 draw with Leeds midweek.

But they have been busy in the transfer market recently by signing defender Zesh Rehmann from Fulham to replace Danny Shittu, who moved to the Premiership with Watford in a £3 million deal.

Dexter Blackstock has also signed a three-year contract from Southampton for an undisclosed fee.

Supporters are reminded that the match is a 3pm kick-off, and full match commentary can be found on Blues World.

Tickets for the game can be bought on the day from Lotus Road.
Official


QPR OFFICIAL SITE

SOUTHEND

The Shrimpers have exceeded all expectations over the last two seasons, but even the most partisan Southend supporter would be crazy to anticipate anything above a top half finish come the end of the current campaign.

In gaffer Steve Tilson, the Roots Hall-based Club have a manager who genuinely believes in his own ability to get the very best out of any situation.

Arguably one of the most ambitious manager's in the second tier of English football, Tilson has the unique ability to raise his players regardless of the opposition.

The proof is in the pudding. After sealing their place in League One via the play-offs in 2004/05, the Shrimpers clinched the title in their maiden season in the third tier of English Football.

Survival would surely be the ultimate goal for Southend this season, but that forecast might just change, especially if hot-shot Freddy Eastwood has his say.

League table



Pld
Pts

14
Coventry 2

3

15


Southend


2


3
16 Sheff Weds 2

1

Southend celebrate winning the League One title last season

Top scorer
Freddy Eastwood 2

Last league game
Crystal Palace 3, Southend United 1.
Football League Championship.
August 8th 2006.
Southend United: Flahavan, Francis, Prior, Barrett, Hammell, Gower (Paynter 75), Maher, Guttridge, Campbell-Ryce, Eastwood, Bradbury.
Subs Not Used: Hunt, Collis, Clarke, Lawson.

Gaffer Steve Tilson and right hand man Paul Brush

Tilson on Eagles: "There are lessons to be learned. We conceded from two set plays so we need to be stronger in the box. And, for the second goal, we were trying to play offside.
"Overall we played some good stuff and I'm pleased with the performance. I've told the lads if we play like that week in, week out, then we'll be fine."

Superhoopsbet.co.uk match odds
Rangers 11/10
Southend 23/10
draw 21/10

Key player: Freddy Eastwood
Southend have a genuine goal-getter in their ranks in the shape of Freddy Eastwood.
The former West Ham United trainee considered retiring from football after he was released in 2002, but a spell at Grays reignited his desire and since signing for the Blues in October 2004, he has never looked back.
Eastwood ended the 2005/06 season as the joint leading goalscorer in League One with 25 goals and was named Fans' Player of the Year.

Shrimpers hot-shot Freddy Eastwood

Head to head
Rangers wins: 36
Southend wins: 24
Draws: 12

Last meeting
Southend United 4 (Constantine, Broughton (2), Clark), QPR 0.
Football League Trophy, Southern Section, semi-final)
January 20th 2004.

Did you know?
Southend have signed trialist forward Gary Hooper on a one-year deal.
The former Grays striker had been on trial with the Club for the past four weeks and featured during the Blues' successful pre-season fixtures.
The 18-year-old scored twice against Leyton Orient and Dagenham & Redbridge and Tilson has been impressed enough to reward him with a contract at Southend.
QPR OFFICIAL