Alan Little is confident that his Southend United side can get their new Third Division campaign off to a flier when Plymouth Argyle visit Roots Hall.

The Blues boss believes his men are in the best possible shape to get the new season underway following a long hard summer on the training ground - starting with a triumph over the Pilgrims.

"We've worked very hard during pre-season to prepare ourselves for what is going to be another tough campaign," said Little.

"It would be rash of me to make any predictions about our chances of winning promotion this term, but I do believe we are ready for the challenges ahead and I'm optimistic that we'll have a good year."

In his previous four league outings as Southend manager Little has failed to taste victory - a depressing statistic he hopes to erase tomorrow.

"We've had some good wins here pre-season against top-quality competition which has lifted my team," Little said.

"We have beaten two First Division sides - Crystal Palace and Norwich City - at Roots Hall in recent weeks, which should allow my players to go out with confidence and express themselves against Plymouth.

"I've got a committed bunch of lads at Roots Hall, who want to do well for Southend United.

"They've got the skill and ability to win football matches at this level. Now they need to prove it starting with a win against Plymouth."

Little also believes his men have a psychological edge over their Devon opponents in Saturday's clash.

"It was only a few months ago that we battered Plymouth 3-0 at Home Park which should give us a mental boost," added Little today (Friday).

"Hopefully, we can repeat that feat and get another win tomorrow, but there aren't any easy games in the Third Division and we will have to perform well to secure maximum reward.

"However, you really can't ask for more than a home start to kick the season off with and I hope we get a good result in front of our own fans."

Little has a full-strength squad to pick from and is expected to hand 18-year-old rookie front man Yemi Abiodun his league debut, he will also give defender David Morley a new role in the centre of midfield.

Plymouth have major injury problems with striker Sean McCarthy (knee), midfielder Martin Barlow (groin) and left-back Paul Gibbs (broken leg) all missing from their party.

However, one player who is expected make his league debut for the Pilgrims is 19-year-old centre-back Adam Barratt, who is a native of Southend.

"I'm a big Southend fan and used to watch the Blues when Stan Collymore and Barry Fry were at the club. It would be a dream come true to make my debut at Roots Hall," he said.

Southend (from): Capleton, Booty, Jones, Coleman, Roget, Connelly, Beard, Morley, Tolson, Abiodun, Houghton, Cross, Maher, Fitzpatrick, Clarke, Spittle, Roach.

Plymouth (from) Sheffield, Beswetherick, Barratt, Heathcote, Bastow, Ashton, Leadbitter, O'Sullivan, McCall, McGregor, Stonebridge, Rowbotham, Hargreaves, Adams, Belgrave, Veysey.

Morley magic - David Morley, used as a defender last season, will be moved into his new key central midfield role for Southend's curtain-raiser against Plymouth

(Right) Hit-man - striker Yemi Abioudun will be hoping his lightning pace provides rewards

Southend to extend hoodoo?

If past results count for anything in football then Southend United couldn't have asked for better opposition than Plymouth Argyle to kick-off their new Third Division campaign against.

The Pilgrims make the long trip to Roots Hall on Saturday desperate to end their Shrimpers hoodoo, which has seen Blues gain maximum points from their last six meetings with the Devon outfit.

However, pre-season activity in the west country would suggest that Plymouth's fans are in for another disappointing season.

Pilgrims manager Kevin Hodges has lost the services of established players such as midfielder Simon Collins and Ronnie Mauge, as well as former Grays Athletic striker Dwight Marshall over the summer.

Midfielder Chris Leadbit-ter has returned to the club on a free transfer from rivals Torquay United and teenage forwards Barring-ton Belgrave and Ian Stonebridge have been snapped up from Norwich City and Spurs respectively.

Hodges looks to have made a solid acquisition in ex-Cardiff City midfielder Wayne O'Sullivan, who missed only a handful of the Bluebirds' promotion campaign last term, but his biggest coup could be the signing of hitman Paul McGregor.

The talented 24-year-old front runner, who once let dreams of pop stardom interfere with his football career, has arrived at Home Park via Preston and Nottingham Forest - where he scored the winning goal against Lyon in 1995's UEFA Cup third round.

However, a long injury-list has decimated Plymouth's team plans and Hodges will be forced to put out a young side against Southend.

Dangerman - Plymouth striker Paul McGregor

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