Match Preview: Manchester vs Southend - FA Futsal Super League

The roller coaster that is the FA Futsal Super League will continue on Sunday as Manchester prepare to host Southend at the National Cycling Centre.

The Blues will be looking to make amends after their disappointing 7-4 defeat against Birmingham last weekend at Wolverhampton University. A game in which Kimet and Jordan Edge were both given red cards in what was a frustrating afternoon.

Three second half goals from Raducio King and skipper Sam Richardson gave Manchester a fighting chance but it was not enough to break down their opponents on the day.

Southend will arrive in Greater Manchester having not picked up a win all season and only picked up one point out of a possible 33. That point coming last weekend after a hard fought 3-3 draw against York City.

Dimos Raptis will be one to watch out for with seven goals in seven starts from his side, his quality is not to be underestimated when the game gets underway on Sunday. Santiago Yllera Alfaro also has four goals in five starts.

Head Coach Sergi Saldana was critical about himself after Manchester’s defeat last Sunday and feels like his approach in training had a knock-on effect on the result.

“I really thought we could win against Birmingham, but they used their weapons pretty well. We didn't attack their close defence very well and our mistakes facilitated their victory. 

“They lived off our mistakes and with good counter attacks. When you make mistakes and you don't attack well, you end up paying for it. 

“Despite I explained how to attack their defence, we hadn't trained it enough and that's my fault, because I had it very clear in my mind how to beat them with their kind of defence, but I didn't transmit it to my players clearly.

“Hopefully from now we will know how to attack against these kind of defences in the future and to be honest, I expect something similar against Southend. 

Saldana also spoke about the team news, other than the suspended Kimet and Jordan Edge, there will be more players that are unavailable. 

“Texido, Magalhaes and Debon are all also unavailable. So, for that reason we will have plenty of young players: Kai [Bone], Raphe [Barber], Scott [Thompson] and Jake [Barnes]. It's an important game against one team that this season is not having very good results until now, so our young players will be able make a step forward and show to the club that they are ready to compete and help the first team when necessary. At the same time, it is dangerous because if we don't win, we get off the top and we want to stay as high as possible.”

Manchester will face Southend at the National Cycling Centre on Sunday, with kick off at 2:30pm. With a certain North-West derby also taking place, what better place is there to come and watch some top-level futsal. Tickets can be purchased here.