Three To Watch: The trio of Southend players who could help cause an upset against Sunderland

Stephen Humphrys

19/20 Games/Goals: 15/5

You may remember his name, and you’d be right to, as Humphrys was the man who scored rescued the Shrimpers with his late winner against us on the final game of the League One season last term.

Not only did it keep his team in the league at the very last moment, but it also cemented the 21-year-old’s place in Southend folklore, giving him a solid foundation on which to hit the ground running when he returned to Roots Hall for his first full season at the club.

Brought to the club by former manager Chris Powell in January, the former Fulham striker has already played under three managers at Roots Hall, with Powell’s successor Kevin Bond leaving in September, only five months after his appointment.

Despite the upheaval, Humphrys has remained unaffected and continued to consistently find the target for Southend, hitting 10 goals since his move south despite his side’s continuous struggles.

Rob Kiernan

19/20 Games/Goals: 11/0

Part of the Rangers squad that lifted the Scottish Championship and Challenge Cup in 2016, the-28-year old Kiernan is finally getting back to full fitness after two injury-plagued campaigns on the South Coast.

Capable of playing the holding midfield role or at centre-back, Kiernan is likely to start on the left-hand side of a back three, alongside Timothée Dieng and Joe Shaughnessy.

A former Republic of Ireland u-21 international, the defender is vastly experienced, completing close to 150 appearances in a career that has spanned from League One to the Scottish Premiership.

Subject of a £2m bid from Championship side Fulham little under three years ago, Kiernan may have had a nightmare few seasons with injury, but will make sure our strikers aren’t getting an easy ride at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

Simon Cox

19/20 Games/Goals: 15/2

Southend’s talisman for the last five seasons, the Irishman is as good as any striker in League One on his day and is still definitely one to watch despite his advancing years.

Scoring close to 50 goals over the past three and a half seasons, Cox is a seasoned pro with an impressive 30 international caps. He participated in every one of Ireland’s Euro 2012 matches alongside current Black Cats star Aiden McGeady.

He’s not the biggest, but his ability to interact with his midfielders and create opportunities for himself will be a huge danger. Don’t let Southend’s league position fool you - Cox is one player that’s still got plenty to offer at this level.