There are changes to welcome on Saturday and others Kieron Dyer would rather avoid. Tommy Backwell, the 23-year-old midfielder signed permanently in July after his release by Cheltenham, is set for a full debut; Harry Cardwell’s absence and the continuing sickness problem make the rest less straightforward. Berkhamsted bring a warning for whoever starts: give Cam Hyde time on their left and Ryan Blake has already shown he can turn the delivery into a goal.
The selection question has changed
The 2-1 win at Boston brought three points without the fluency I had hoped for. Keeping Anthony Hartigan beside Darren Oldaker did not make the game flow as expected, while the early departures of Harry Cardwell and Promise Omochere left the two-forward experiment largely untested. There was too little of it to reach a verdict. My preview wanted Southend to build on the useful parts of the Fylde performance; the report had to acknowledge another afternoon in which the result was better than the football.
Dyer’s latest update rules Cardwell out, with training expected towards the end of next week. Omochere’s scan was clear, although that does not confirm a start. Jack Sims also had a clear scan but remains unavailable because his knee is still tender. Joe Duncan is expected to continue in goal, with Josh Barrett as cover. Ryan Colclough is back on the grass, with Halifax now the expected return rather than this tie.
Oli Coker’s dead leg has cleared and Dyer says he will play, alongside an announced full debut for Backwell. Ben Goodliffe needs assessing after a chest infection and antibiotics; Rico Richards also remains subject to assessment after illness. Two unnamed players missed training with sickness, leaving further choices dependent on recovery.
With Cardwell unavailable, Saturday cannot be a second look at the partnership tried at Boston. Backwell’s debut gives Southend a different option in their search for the clearer chances they lacked last weekend.
Three ties, recurring names
Berkhamsted have earned this visit through three wins: 3-2 at Bishop’s Stortford on 5 September, 4-1 at home to Hendon a fortnight later and 2-0 at Redditch on 3 October. Ryan Blake and Luke Andrews scored in every round. Nine goals across those ties is a useful warning against treating their threat as the work of one forward. This is the first fourth qualifying round appearance for the current club, formed in 2009 after Berkhamsted Town’s demise.
They arrive ninth in the Southern League Premier South, two divisions below Southend, with 16 points from eleven matches. Their last five games across all competitions have brought three wins and two defeats, finishing with successive away victories and clean sheets at Redditch and Yate.
On Monday’s podcast, Berkhamsted guest Jamie picked out JJ Lacey’s creativity and goals, Andrews’ versatility and Blake’s clever play. His description of manager Chris Devane’s work was of a resilient, fit side being encouraged to keep more possession and pass on the ground. That is Jamie’s account of their development; the recent match reports add specific examples of what Southend will have to handle.
At Redditch, Hyde crossed from the left for Blake to head in. He had also supplied Blake from that side against Hendon. This is a combination that has already helped settle two cup ties, not just one good cross.
Devane also changed to a back four at half-time at Redditch after the hosts had enjoyed more possession and chances. Hubert Graczyk’s goalkeeping and a James Gurteen clearance off the line helped protect the lead before Andrews added the second. It was a win that required an adjustment and defensive work. It gives Southend no reason to assume that long spells of possession will automatically wear Berkhamsted down.
Hyde’s supply to stop
The latest game, a 3-0 win at Yate on 10 October, showed several routes to goal. Lacey’s cross from the right supplied Jeffrey Sekyere for the opener. Hyde then found Ricardo German on a counterattack, before substitute Billie Busari controlled Graczyk’s long clearance and finished. There was danger at the other end too: Graczyk saved a header with the score still 1-0.
Vontae Daley-Campbell started at Boston. If he retains his place, Hyde’s work from Berkhamsted’s left makes that a match-up worth watching: can Southend stop him getting the time to choose his delivery? Blake will still need tracking if the cross comes in. I would be more concerned by Hyde repeatedly finding room than reassured by Southend having most of the ball.
Hyde’s part in German’s goal also raises a question about when Daley-Campbell goes forward. That is not a case for keeping him back all afternoon; it is a reason to make sure Hyde cannot turn Southend’s ambition on that side into an easy route towards their box.
A first-round place to earn
The winners will be in Monday’s first-round draw, where Southend or Berkhamsted is ball 77 and League One and League Two clubs enter. This round pays £9,375 to the winners and £3,125 to the losers. Jamie made clear on the podcast that Berkhamsted want to reach that next stage. The occasion is not the limit of their ambition.
I am keeping my 3-1 Southend prediction from Monday. It was made with doubts about Southend’s recent home form and injuries, and the updated team news does not remove them. Southend have an opportunity to progress and give players meaningful minutes. Earning both means creating clearer openings while keeping enough control behind the attack to make Berkhamsted work for theirs.
The TSP predictions
Sensei Phil, Charlie, Chris and Jamie’s calls come from Monday’s Boston and Berkhamsted episode. Charlie read out Sensei Phil’s prediction in his absence. Katie has since supplied her 4-0 separately.
Southend’s score is listed first, regardless of venue.
| Contributor | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Sensei Phil | 2-1 |
| Charlie | 4-1 |
| Chris B | 3-1 |
| Katie | 4-0 |
| Jamie, Berkhamsted guest | 1-3 |
Match details
Match: Southend United v Berkhamsted. Competition: Emirates FA Cup fourth qualifying round. Date: Saturday 17 October 2026. Kick-off: 3pm BST. Venue: Roots Hall.
Tickets: Available online through Southend United’s official site.
First-round draw: Monday 19 October, approximately 6.35pm BST on TNT Sports, following coverage from 6.30pm. First-round ties are scheduled around the weekend of 7 November.
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