How serious was the attempt to make Benson a Blue?

 

No one wants to knock the Shrimpers, especially where money is concerned, and especially when on a 16-match unbeaten run that still sees us sit at the top of the table, just.

 

However, there is still a long, long way to go and some ambitious clubs out there, clubs with a bit more dosh that we have sitting around.

 

The news that last season's top scorer Barry Corr will be out for a lot longer that anyone would have wanted puts an enormous amount of pressure on Liam Dickinson and Neil Harris, playing one central striker has helped but Liam is one yellow from a ban, and Neil is no spring chicken as some of his tired looking displays this term has showed, another hitman joining the squad would have been very important, and been a real sign of intent to other teams.

 

The news fed the Echo that a real effort was made to sign Addicks striker and Southend supporting striker Paul Benson is obviously good, if not a little convenient.

 

He has been chased by his former Charlton boss Phil Parkinson at League Two rivals Bradford City for a while now and they seemed on the verge of getting Paul to sign on the dottenline before Swindon swooped, a little late possibily.

 

This is what www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk wrote the day after the loan deadline was reached:  'Phil Parkinson was left bitterly frustrated yesterday as his bid to bring Paul Benson to City finally ended in defeat. 

 

 

 

So he could have been a crock, he has suffered from injury this campaign and has turned 32.

 

Then again, Robins boss Di Canio might not have his man yet.

 

He told www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk this morning: “The problem is regarding when they (the FA) received the documents, but it was not three or four hours late it was just a few minutes. It is not fair and I am curious to see if in the past it has happened to a big club. I am not sure yet, but I heard that a Premier League club were one hour late to sign a player due to some situation, but they were told it would be okay. I don’t want to sound like we are a victim but we agreed everything before 5pm, so why not let us have a player who we will have for only six weeks. He is happy to join us, Charlton are happy and we have agreed everything with them."

 

Well, well; though they did grab Ipswich striker Ronan Murray last week and ease the pain if the Benson deal falls through!

 

Would be ironic if the Wiltshire boys face us in either of the two upcoming games between the sides with those two upfront while we play Mohsni and Sturrock due to injury or suspension.

 

The last time we did that was the last time we lost, 2-0 at the County Ground!

 

From our point of view, a club 'source' told www.echo-news.co.uk: "Southend were definitely in for Paul on deadline day and at one stage it did appear as if the move was going to happen. It was going to be a two-month loan switch but there was only so much the club could afford to pay without going above the wage cap which is in operation in League Two. Swindon then came in and offered to pay his full wages and their offer was obviously accepted ahead of Southend’s. However, the deal went through just after the 5pm deadline so it’s still waiting to be ratified.”

 

There was no other alternative out there that we could have carried the wages of?

 

Maybe not one for Blues boss Paul Sturrock, and to him we have nothing but respect for, if that's the case here.

 

Shrimpers CEO Tara Brady is a master of spin in his former jobs, and has been very happy to give the Echo plenty of positive headlines to get on the sports pages and bring the club closer back to many supporters hearts after the mess chairman Ron Martin put us in, I hope this isn't another one.

 

Getting out of this division is far too important for that.

 

 

 

Personal information
Full name	Paul Andrew Benson[1]
Date of birth	12 October 1979 (1979-10-12) (age 32)
Place of birth	Southend-on-Sea, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Charlton Athletic
Number	14
Youth career
1997	Southend United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2003–2005	White Ensign	62	(107)
2005–2010	Dagenham & Redbridge	174	(70)
2010–	Charlton Athletic	32	(10)
National team‡
2007	England C	1	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:46, 2 July 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:35, 9 August 2009 (UTC)