6. Southampton (7) vs Southend (22)

Saints to end on a high
 

TEAM NEWS

　

Southampton will again be without suspended midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who will not be able to play until the opening game of next season.

 

Saints chairman Nicola Cortese is said to be unhappy that the club did not make the playoffs, leaving manager Alan Pardew in fear of the sack.

 

Southend hope defender Adam Barrett may be able to return after a hamstring injury.

 

The Shrimpers have just nine players under contract to play in League Two next season.   

　

Southampton:

Suspended: Schneiderlin (last of four)

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Thomas (calf), Murty (ankle)

 

Southend:

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Barrett (hamstring)

Injured/unavailable: Laurent (hamstring), Christophe (hamstring), Scannell (foot), Spencer (ankle).

 

MATCH PREVIEW

 

Having been in the Championship only three seasons ago, Southend have once more been relegated back to the bottom division, where they have spent so much of their time. And only nine players are contracted to play in League Two next season. Add to that their financial worries and one can see a club struggling to survive again next season.

 

Southampton started the season with a ten point deduction but made a late bid for a place in the playoffs. Unfortunately for manager Alan Pardew, chairman Nicola Cortese believes that is unacceptable and is thinking of bringing in someone new.

 

Saints, however, who have had ever changing chairmen and managers in recent seasons, are desperate for some stability and if Pardew goes, they will have to start all over again. The positive side of their season is that they have finally managed to make St Mary’s a home ground almost as strong as their own Dell home, winning 14 times.

 

So their future looks bright, despite what their chairman thinks. And with Southend already down and not knowing how many players from their current squad will still be there next season, this looks a clear cut home win.

 

HEAD TO HEAD

 

Southampton have won three of the last four home league meetings and drawn the other one.

 

Southend’s last win away was a 2-1 success in 1956/57 in the old Third Division.