The fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Gary Johnson’s side as Southend come to town on Saturday.
Who’s the Boss?
Phil Brown returned to Southend for the final six games of the 2021/21 League Two campaign and previously managed The Shrimpers between 2013 and 2018. Upon his return his side won two, drew three and lost one.
During his first stint at Roots Hall, Brown guided his side to promotion to League One via the play-offs in 2015. He has also been at the helm at Derby County, Preston North End, Swindon Town and Indian Super League side Pune City.
In 2008 Brown led Hull City to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history following a narrow 1-0 victory over Gary Johnson’s Bristol City side at Wembley.
Player to Watch
Jason Demetriou is currently in his sixth season at Roots Hall and has made just shy of 200 appearances for the Essex side. The right-back is renowned for his attacking quality.
The 33-year-old began his career at Leyton Orient before spending five years in Cyprus, during which in 2010 he signed on for first division side AEK Larnaca. After three seasons at Larnaca he spent two seasons at Anorthosis before returning to England.
Demetriou spent one season at Walsall where he made 52 appearances and scored 4 goals in the 2015/16 season before signing on at Southend in the summer of 2016.
He has played every minute of Southend’s season so far and scored his first goal of the season in stoppage time in the Shrimper’s 3-2 defeat against Aldershot last weekend.
Played for Both
Rhys Murphy enjoyed a short loan spell at Plainmoor early in the 2017/18 campaign. The striker made eight appearances and scored one goal for Gary Owers’ side.
The 30-year-old began his career at Arsenal where he progressed through the youth ranks before signing his first professional contract with the Gunners in 2009. Following loan spells at Brentford and Preston North End, Murphy went on to make 30 appearances and score 7 goals for second tier Dutch side Telstar.
After one season with the Dutch side, Murphy returned to England and his since played for the likes of Dagenham & Redbridge, Oldham Athletic, Crawley Town, AFC Wimbledon, Forest Green Rovers, York City, Gillingham, Chelmsford City and Yeovil Town before signing on at Southend over the summer.
The striker was part of the AFC Wimbledon side that won promotion from League Two in 2016 and more recently enjoyed two seasons at Yeovil Town where he scored 33 goals in 64 games.
Previous Encounter
Southend United 1 – 0 Torquay United, Saturday 29th March 2014, League Two.
The two sides previous encounter dates back to March 2014 at Roots Hall. In front of a crowd of 6556, the home side ran out 1-0 victors.
United created chances but it was Southend who broke through in the 71st minute. Ben Coker’s cross found substitute Freddy Eastwood who bundled his close-range effort into the top right corner.