We kick-off our club-by-club guide to the new season by talking to Exiled Essex Boy from the Southend United MAD website.
How did you fare last season?
After suffering relegation in 2006/07 from the Championship after only one season back, you know the feeling, and after losing our top scorer Freddy Eastwood there were concerns amongst the Roots Hall faithful that a mid-table position was the best we could aim for, especially when we only took one point from 12 over the Christmas period. However some inspired signings during the January transfer window, namely the forward Lee Barnard, and the regular pairing of Nicky Bailey and Alan McCormack in midfield, finally dropping Blues legend but slowing down 'Captain' Kev Maher, saw a run of 13 unbeaten games which took us to the play-offs.
Best moment?
The last minute header from Lee Barnard at Carlisle which secured three points and our play-off position. Capped off a great day where 400-odd Blues made the very long journey to the border city.
Worst moment?
Our second consecutive 1-0 home defeat on New Year's Day to a very poor Bristol Rovers side where we seemed to have no ideas going forward, not helped by a clueless performance from Gary Hooper when he came on a sub. Good luck there. We sunk down to 11th place, a position we were never to go as low again.
What's your squad like?
Good question! Of the 'A' team we have lost keeper Darryl Flahavan, Mark Gower and Charlie Mulgrew, as well as placing Peter Clarke and Nicky Bailey on the transfer list as they would not sign new contracts. The keeper position has been covered by the giant Steve Mildenhall from Yeovil, time will tell how good he actually is. Nobody for Marky G at the moment which is a concern, but it's early days, though we seem to say that every season. Centre-half Clarke and midfielder Bailey are playing in friendlies and look as if they'll be staying, certainly losing player of the year and 12 goal Nicky Bailey would be a huge blow. Mr. Osei Omari Kwende Sankofa, from Charlton, is a young defender who has played with some promise in the pre-season games. Manager Steve Tilson speaks of at least four more players which I believe we need to have a full, competitive squad in what should be a tougher season than last.
Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team?
Franck Moussa, the Moose, may get more games than were planned if Nicky does go or if the chief rotweiller Macca keeps up his high card count, he might even be used wide though not his best position which is the middle of the park. Showed increased skill and awareness on the ball with every game he played last season, full appearance or on as a sub. Might start the season bench warming again but certain to force his way into the starting eleven sooner rather than later.
What's your manager like and will he still be there at the end of the season?
November 22 2003, a day that will go down in Southend history. First we woke up to England's stunning Rugby World Cup victory over Australia, then in Steve Tilson's first match as manager, (he had played many games for us as a classy midfielder in David Webb's legendary nineties sides which got to the top of the old Division One, now Championship), we went on to beat Rochdale 4-0 when near the bottom of League Two and starting to look good odds for the then Conference. Five years later we've had two promotions, one as League One Champions, two LDV Vans Trophy final at Cardiff, a stunning victory over a Manchester United side with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo in it, and, even after a relegation we nearly got out of, a play-off semi-final. Still young, still learning, and, bar any obvious disasters, will most certainly be there at the end of the season along with his more than capable assistant, Paul Brush.
Are you happy with your chairman/backroom staff?
Uncle Ron Martin is a guy who, I'm sure, came in at the new owner's, (building contractors), request to downsize the club as painlessly as possible, we had very nearly gone bust at the start of the decade. He has now admitted, especially during Tilly's run, that he's caught the bug and though at times the builder in him still shines through, seen in some bizarre negotiating tactics, most supporters believe he has the success of the club at heart. Money, especially in these present times, has to be found for the new stadium which the club desparately needs, so if he does refuse to give in to agents and players demands re fees and wages, who are we to complain?
Which team do you want to beat the most, and why?
Leyton Orient. And we were a few seconds from doing it last season. We might have eclipsed them many times re final league position but those buggers from the East End seem to have some death sign over us when we eventually come up against them. I can't remember when we last beat them at home, where we always seem to be on top but just can't get the result! Forget Essex rivals Colchester, it's Borient I want and I want them this season!
Predict your champions and runner up, the play-off teams and the four to go down
Champions: Leeds United
Runners-up: Leicester
Play-offs: Southend, Huddersfield, Peterborough, Brighton
Relegated: Hereford, Crewe, Yeovil, Cheltenham
How did you fare last season?
After suffering relegation in 2006/07 from the Championship after only one season back, you know the feeling, and after losing our top scorer Freddy Eastwood there were concerns amongst the Roots Hall faithful that a mid-table position was the best we could aim for, especially when we only took one point from 12 over the Christmas period. However some inspired signings during the January transfer window, namely the forward Lee Barnard, and the regular pairing of Nicky Bailey and Alan McCormack in midfield, finally dropping Blues legend but slowing down 'Captain' Kev Maher, saw a run of 13 unbeaten games which took us to the play-offs.
Best moment?
The last minute header from Lee Barnard at Carlisle which secured three points and our play-off position. Capped off a great day where 400-odd Blues made the very long journey to the border city.
Worst moment?
Our second consecutive 1-0 home defeat on New Year's Day to a very poor Bristol Rovers side where we seemed to have no ideas going forward, not helped by a clueless performance from Gary Hooper when he came on a sub. Good luck there. We sunk down to 11th place, a position we were never to go as low again.
What's your squad like?
Good question! Of the 'A' team we have lost keeper Darryl Flahavan, Mark Gower and Charlie Mulgrew, as well as placing Peter Clarke and Nicky Bailey on the transfer list as they would not sign new contracts. The keeper position has been covered by the giant Steve Mildenhall from Yeovil, time will tell how good he actually is. Nobody for Marky G at the moment which is a concern, but it's early days, though we seem to say that every season. Centre-half Clarke and midfielder Bailey are playing in friendlies and look as if they'll be staying, certainly losing player of the year and 12 goal Nicky Bailey would be a huge blow. Mr. Osei Omari Kwende Sankofa, from Charlton, is a young defender who has played with some promise in the pre-season games. Manager Steve Tilson speaks of at least four more players which I believe we need to have a full, competitive squad in what should be a tougher season than last.
Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team?
Franck Moussa, the Moose, may get more games than were planned if Nicky does go or if the chief rotweiller Macca keeps up his high card count, he might even be used wide though not his best position which is the middle of the park. Showed increased skill and awareness on the ball with every game he played last season, full appearance or on as a sub. Might start the season bench warming again but certain to force his way into the starting eleven sooner rather than later.
What's your manager like and will he still be there at the end of the season?
November 22 2003, a day that will go down in Southend history. First we woke up to England's stunning Rugby World Cup victory over Australia, then in Steve Tilson's first match as manager, (he had played many games for us as a classy midfielder in David Webb's legendary nineties sides which got to the top of the old Division One, now Championship), we went on to beat Rochdale 4-0 when near the bottom of League Two and starting to look good odds for the then Conference. Five years later we've had two promotions, one as League One Champions, two LDV Vans Trophy final at Cardiff, a stunning victory over a Manchester United side with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo in it, and, even after a relegation we nearly got out of, a play-off semi-final. Still young, still learning, and, bar any obvious disasters, will most certainly be there at the end of the season along with his more than capable assistant, Paul Brush.
Are you happy with your chairman/backroom staff?
Uncle Ron Martin is a guy who, I'm sure, came in at the new owner's, (building contractors), request to downsize the club as painlessly as possible, we had very nearly gone bust at the start of the decade. He has now admitted, especially during Tilly's run, that he's caught the bug and though at times the builder in him still shines through, seen in some bizarre negotiating tactics, most supporters believe he has the success of the club at heart. Money, especially in these present times, has to be found for the new stadium which the club desparately needs, so if he does refuse to give in to agents and players demands re fees and wages, who are we to complain?
Which team do you want to beat the most, and why?
Leyton Orient. And we were a few seconds from doing it last season. We might have eclipsed them many times re final league position but those buggers from the East End seem to have some death sign over us when we eventually come up against them. I can't remember when we last beat them at home, where we always seem to be on top but just can't get the result! Forget Essex rivals Colchester, it's Borient I want and I want them this season!
Predict your champions and runner up, the play-off teams and the four to go down
Champions: Leeds United
Runners-up: Leicester
Play-offs: Southend, Huddersfield, Peterborough, Brighton
Relegated: Hereford, Crewe, Yeovil, Cheltenham