Dag & Red V Southend at The L.B Barking & Dagenham Stadium : Match Preview

23 December 2012 15:01
Dag & Red V Southend - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Still to keep the faith

John Still will see no reason to change a winning formula as his Dagenham side host neighbours Southend on Boxing Day.

The Daggers boss can be expected to name an unchanged line-up for the fifth consecutive game against the Shrimpers, kick-off 1pm, with Saturday's scheduled trip to Morecambe postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at the Globe Arena.

Still's side have won five of their last seven league fixtures, including their previous two, after only winning three of their previous 15.

And the manager has resisted the chance to freshen things up in recent weeks despite having a clean bill of health, and he is not expected to change that philosophy after his side have kept three clean sheets in four matches.

Italian striker Gianluca Gracco has signed on non-contract terms until January, with a view to a permanent deal, and he could find himself on the bench.

Southend skipper Chris Barker will be checked upon ahead of the trip.

The defender was forced off five minutes from time in Friday night's impressive 3-0 win over Chesterfield having taken a kick to his ankle but the move was a precautionary measure and Barker is expected to be okay.

Should he get the green light then manager Paul Sturrock must decide whether to stick or twist with his starting XI for the 1pm kick-off at Victoria Road.

The Scot opted to name an unchanged line-up for the 3-0 win over the Spireites, leaving fit-again defender Mark Phillips on the bench. And he will be hard pushed to make any changes following such a solid display.

Striker Neil Harris remains the only definite absentee with his knee injury.

Southend are unbeaten in 13 matches, a run which has taken them up to fourth in the League Two table and within three points of second-placed Port Vale.

Source: PA