THE ADVER takes a look at Swindon Town's next League One opponents Southend United

THE CHALKBOARD

Swindon Advertiser:

Phil Brown

SATURDAY’S 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic extended the Shrimpers’ unbeaten run to 12 matches and saw them stay sixth in League One.

However, it could have been even better for Phil Brown’s side until visiting skipper Andrew Crofts fired home an 89th-minute equaliser for the Addicks.

After a slow start, the Blues have soared into contention for honours and, since a 3-0 defeat to Rochdale on October 8, they have scored 22 goals and conceded just five times.

“I’ve got to take my hat off to the players for their application and the way they’re playing the kind of football I’m watching that is a joy for me to watch, never mind the supporters,’’ said Brown.

“It’s probably one of the rare occasions in my career as a manager that I’m actually really enjoying watching my team play.’’

LIKELY LINE-UP

Swindon Advertiser:

A MAN IN FORM: Simon Cox

WHILE Swindon Town’s travails with finding a potent strikeforce this season are well-documented, a County Ground old boy seems to be finding his scoring boots just in time for a meeting with his former employers.

Former Wiltshire favourite Simon Cox has scored three times in the last two matches, including the opener against Charlton on Saturday and a brace in the 3-0 Boxing Day triumph over AFC Wimbledon.

Cox now has seven this season, while another Town old boy Nile Ranger has scored three times this term.

Former top-flight frontman Marc-Antoine Fortune has also just put pen to paper on a new contract, having netted once, while the Shrimpers are also not short on goals from midfield, Stephen McLaughlin and Anthony Wordsworth also have netted seven times this season.

TREATMENT ROOM

Swindon Advertiser:

Stephen McLaughlin

BROWN named an unchanged team from the Wimbledon win for Saturday’s Charlton draw, but looks likely to be forced into a change for today’s County Ground clash after midfielder Stephen McLaughlin limped off injured at the weekend.

Nile Ranger was named on the bench on Saturday having missed the Wimbledon win with a thigh problem while with goalkeeper Mark Oxley injured, Ted Smith has stepped in with a man of the match display against the Addicks – despite feeling the effects of a sickness bug himself.

Oppo Form Guide

Sat, Dec 31

Skybet League 1

1-1 Draw v Charlton (H)

Sat, Dec 26

Skybet League 1

3-0 Win v AFC Wimbledon (H)

Sat, Dec 17

Skybet League 1

2-0 Win v Oldham (a)

Sat, Dec 10

Skybet League 1

3-1 Draw v Coventry (H)

Tue, Dec 6

EFL Trophy

1-1 Draw v Oxford (H)

GOALSCORERS

Anthony Wordsworth: 7

Stephen McLaughlin: 7

Simon cox: 7

DISCIPLINE

Ryan Leonard: 4Y 

Simon Cox: 4Y 

Jason Demetriou: 3Y, 1R

THE STAT 

Two of Southend’s likely line-up today were in the Swindon team the last time the Shrimpers won at the County Ground (Michael Timlin and Simon Cox in a 1-0 defeat on March 24, 2008).