Simpson: 'Will have to see what happens as a result of talks between the two clubs'
As we reported on Monday midfielder Josh Simpson, who is on loan from League One Peterborough until January 4th, has made it clear he would like to stay a Shrimper.
And the latest news is that the relevant parties are having a pre-Christmas chat, with mince pies and mulled wine all round we hope, courtesy of Sainsbury's of course.
Simmo, who has turned out twenty-four times for Southend, has showed his strengths on the right hand of midfield, or in the centre when called upon, on many occasions, and S24 is confident that Blues boss Paul Sturrock will do all he can to either extend his loan to the end of the season, or even a free transfer if Peterborough don't want him back.
However, Simmo has two-and-a-half years left on his Posh contract nd the Cambridgeshire may want a fee, no chance from Shrimpers supremo Ron Martin!
Be afraid, be very afraid!
Then again the other United, which has ex-manager and all round Judas Barry Fry as their 'director of football', and a chairman with a bigger ego that Uncle Ron, are having a clear out themselves with the fat boy Fry having his say, no surprise there.
www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk said that Fry has insisted Posh have to sell a star player during the January transfer window and that the club will lose money 'hand over fist' in the next couple of years.
They continued: 'Falling attendances are not helping the current financial situation at London Road, but high rent on the club's ground and the impending redevelopment of the Moys' End will also hit the club hard. Posh pay £500,000 per year to the city council to rent their London Road stadium. Posh will have a reduced capacity next season while the Moys' End terrace for visiting supporters is converted to a seating area, but there will be no reduction in rent.'
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony has always resisted selling the family silver, players like George Boyd, Aaron Mclean and Craig Mackail-Smith, Boyd even signed a new deal as the Cambridgeshire side looked to an immediate return to the Championship.
| 5 | Bournemouth | 19 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 36 | 21 | 30 | +15 | ||||
| 6 | Colchester United | 19 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 25 | 23 | 30 | +2 | ||||
| 7 | Oldham Athletic | 18 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 27 | 21 | 29 | +6 | ||||
| 8 | Peterborough United | 19 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 38 | 40 | 29 | -2 | ||||
| 9 | Exeter City | 20 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 21 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 32 | 34 | 29 | -2 | ||||
| 10 | Southampton | 19 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 26 | 18 | 28 | +8 | ||||
| 11 | Brentford | 19 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 | 21 | 28 | +2 | ||||
The Posh rely on MacAnthony's financial backing but have still reported annual losses in excess of £1 million in each of the last two years.Ha, lucky we've got Ron's deep pockets.
Fry told the local paper: "It's a harsh world out there for everyone at the moment and football clubs are no different. I am frightened of the future for some clubs and maybe it's time to get a bit more realistic. We are faced with a situation where we will probably lose money hand over fist. The chairman is continually putting his hand in his pocket and knowing him he will continue to do so. But if he asked for my advice in January about selling a player I'd tell him to go for it."
Now, no one is saying that Simmo is one of their 'star' players but whatever wages he is on at London Road. we're paying them at the moment and it can only help them if that remains the case.
And Bazza seemed to back his words with deeds, and in fact it's the Shrimpers who are playing a dangerous game of poker.
Fry continued: "I had a permanent deal set up for Exodus Geohagon, but he has had surgery so that move is off. Southend pulled out of a deal to sign Josh Simpson on a permanent basis, while another club decided not to sign Liam Hatch at the last minute. I'm not having much joy at the moment. I've let the chairman down a bit, but I'll keep working on it."
Working to give us a freebie we hope; let's face it, the fat boy always liked a deal!
Finally, of course, the player involved should be allowed to hold an opinion.
Simmo spoke to www.echo-news.co.uk: "Staying at Southend is definitely a positive option for me and I know the two clubs are talking about trying to make it happen. Southend have also spoken to my agent and I would like to stay here for longer because I've been enjoying it.
Nice words, and the Harlow born player obviously likes the seaside air!
Simmo continued: "I've been playing regularly and get on well with the players and management, which is important. The fans have also been really good to me, which I appreciate, so we will just have to wait and see what happens as a result of the talks between the two clubs."
The Simpson Files
| Full name | Joshua Richard Simpson[1] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 6 March 1987 (1987-03-06) [2] | ||
| Place of birth | Harlow, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2] | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Southend United (on loan from Peterborough United) | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2004-2006 | Cambridge City | 54 | (4) |
| 2006-2007 | Cambridge United | 19 | (0) |
| 2007-2008 | Cambridge City | 41 | (6) |
| 2008-2010 | Histon | 50 | (12) |
| 2009 | → Peterborough United (loan) | 3 | (2) |
| 2010- | Peterborough United | 18 | (0) |
| 2010- | → Southend United (loan) | 10 | (1) |
| National team‡ | |||
| England C | 2 | (1) | |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:36, 19 October 2010 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 01:05, 27 January 2010 (UTC) | |||
(Player info supplied by Wikipedia, for the full article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Simpson_(English_footballer)
The original article, S24 first again:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
will_simmo_stay_a_shrimper_610450/index.shtml