SUFCexiles

Our final word: Southend dug themselves a hole & almost climbed out of it. Clinically punished for two early lapses, Carlisle then deployed every trick to spoil & frustrate Blues. Few teams would have withstood the onslaught. A chastening lesson in game management... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Lively Southend almost scored through Walker and GSM twice but Carlisle broke dangerously in reply. Bridge & Parillon kept Blues on the front foot but despite two penalty shouts and a late tip over the Cumbrians did just enough to hold Blues off. 1-2... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Southend were 2 down in 30 mins after Miley gifted the ball & Walker did the same to set up a break. Blues responded through Austin at close range. Coker curled a free kick just over and Hayes made a good save as Blues went in search of another. 1-2... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Goodliffe recalled for today's big clash... #SUFCexiles

Carlisle set off from Cumbria as NL leaders but may not top the table by the time they kick off at Roots Hall. Like Southend, their last league defeat came six weeks ago. Twice defeated on the road, a third reverse would cut Blues deficit to 4, with a game in hand... #SUFCexiles

Southend escaped Woking with a midweek point to extend their unbeaten NL run to five. Back home and with Goodliffe available, Blues must look to capitalise in front of a packed Roots Hall in today's televised and streamed heavyweight long distance late feature game... #SUFCexiles

Our final word: Blues lacked a cutting edge for most of the night after Saturday's gruelling ten man effort. Changes only came after they fell behind but the side kept going & were rewarded for their persistence. Everything you need to know about Southend right now... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Woking took the lead on the rebound. Blues changes followed & eventually chances. Parillon shot and the hosts struck the post. Deep in added time Bridge drove forward & blasted into the top corner. There was still time for Woking to hit the bar. 1-1... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: A bright from Southend and a strong finish but Blues were unable to unlock the home defence. The Cardinals best spell came between but it remains goalless. 0-0 at HT... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Joe continues in defence and Slavi is good to go once more... #SUFCexiles

Tonight Blues travel to Woking who are four unbeaten in the NL. The Cards have climbed the table after a slow start and impressively held Rochdale last time out. Inactive at the weekend, their only home win in 8 league outings so far came back in early September... #SUFCexiles

Disappointingly dumped out of the FA Cup and without Goodliffe at the heart of defence, Southend return to league action on the back of three straight NL victories that have again propelled Maher's men into the top 7. But can they quickly put Saturday behind them? #SUFCexiles

Our final word: What might have been. Shrimpers may point to the rotation for Blues FA Cup exit but Southend controlled the early stages & showed the greater ambition after Goodliffe's dismissal. What would have happened if it had remained 11v11 we will never know... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Parillon saw an early shot blocked and a free kick on the edge of the area hit the wall. Blues tried to press their hosts who almost sealed the tie with a close range effort off target in the closing stages. Ten man Southend fall just short. 0-1 at FT. #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Southend pushed their hosts back in the early stages & almost netted after a defensive mix up before Goodliffe was dismissed for bringing down his man and Wealdstone quickly scored. Hopper was sacrificed for Joe as Blues steadied the ship. 0-1 at HT... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Maher rotates but the back three and keeper are unchanged... #SUFCexiles

Standing between Maher's men and an extended cup run are Wealdstone who have already humbled Southend this term leading many to question Blues direction. A large contingent of travelling Shrimpers will be seeking revenge at Grosvenor Vale as well as cup progression... #SUFCexiles

Southend haven't featured in the second round of the FA Cup since exiting the EFL. Victory today, and a favourable draw on Monday, could give Blues the best opportunity yet to mix it once more with the R3 big guns in January for the first time in over a decade... #SUFCexiles

Our final word: Two weeks, two wins, two clean sheets, two very different performances. When Morecombe were open, Blues were expansive; when Brackley were stubborn, Blues were dogged. There are different ways to be succssful & the best sides always find ways to win... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Goodliffe headed over before Dallas created some openings but Southend were unable to capitalise. Blues survived a scramble in their own area. Deep in injury time Parillon found the net and Walker set up Dallas to add a second. 2-0 Blues! 💙👍⚽⚽A🥅👏 #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Goodliffe headed over before Dallas created some openings but Southend were unable to capitalise. Blues survived a scramble in their own area. Deep in injury time Parillon found the net and Walker set up Dallas to add a second. 2-0 Blues! 💙👍⚽⚽🥅👏 #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Kicking off in a squall Hayes was forced into an early low save. Dallas had a fine finish ruled out for offside before a penalty shout was denied, possibly for a push. GSM forced a low save as Blues built late pressure. It remains 0-0 at the interval... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Hayes between the sticks for the visit of Brackley... #SUFCexiles

Visiting Roots Hall today, Brackley face Southend for the first time. Town's first season in the fifth tier has started promisingly, keeping well clear of the bottom four so far. Difficult to break down, the Saints are still looking for their first NL road win... #SUFCexiles

Four years after taking charge, Maher and his team are finally able to put together a season free from off field distraction. Blues find themselves just off the early leaders knowing that they must continue to take care of their own business, particularly at home... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: The Shrimpers eased past the Shrimps far from home courtesy of their superior finishing. Both sides created chances but only Blues were able to convert as Maher's men got the job done. Enough for the points, Southend are again building some momentum... #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Southend failed to quell the hosts who remained ambitious but without the quality to punish Blues, even when Collin gifted an open goal. Maher's men finally put the game to bed in injury time, Walker finishing with a low shot. 3-0! 💙💪⚽⚽⚽🥅👏👍💙 #SUFCexiles

Gubbins Watch: Dallas headed Blues first chance over. KAF played in Spasov who finished the move with a strike from distance. Goodliffe added a second with a volley from a Boyes free kick. The bright but fragile Shrimps average three goals against. 2-0 Blues at HT... #SUFCexiles

Can’t complain with that team although I’d have had Coker in for Austin

Gubbins Watch: Injury doubts Goodliffe and Scott-Morriss both make the XI. Spasov earns a league start and Collin is recalled between the sticks... #SUFCexiles