After an extensive two-week training routine, with seven days spent at Boots & Laces and then the last week at Kingswood Club in Basildon, the Seasiders’ twenty-two man squad, as well as trainees Matthew Judge and Ben Surey, formerly of Luton Town and Crystal Palace respectively, will at last find their way onto the pitch. However, at least three members of the side will be missing as Blues take on their non-League opposition.
The first is Jay Smith, who is still recovering from the injury that he sustained when Cambridge United’s Warren Goodhind savagely crunched him from behind in the 1-0 win over the U’s in February. Smith is back in light training, but has not been undertaking the more strenuous aspects of the pre-season routine and will not be considered for any on-field action until late September at the very earliest.
Next up is another 2003/4 victim, Carl Pettefer. The former Portsmouth midfielder and one-time Exeter City loanee signed for Southend at the end of the last campaign whilst still on crutches, but despite training full-time with Steve Tilson’s streamlined squad, Pettefer will be rested during the double-header against East Thurrock and then Canvey Island on Monday evening.
Finally, front man Lawrie Dudfield, who netted six times in thirteen appearances during the last three months of last term, first as a loan signing and then permanently from Northampton Town, has a slight knee aggravation, and looks set to miss a large chunk of the early season action. It remains to be seen what his situation will be come August 7th and the 2004/5 opener against Cheltenham Town.
But United supporters making their way to the Corringham area will be able to see a galaxy of stars that they have not yet set their eyes on – at least in Shrimpers colours. In goal, Bart Griemink and Darryl Flahavan should share 45 minutes each, with the ex-Swindon Town shotstopper only afforded as much time as the returning, dithering contract refuter.
In defence, there may be a surprise with Spencer Prior mooted on various websites and in the local press as having returned to the Seasiders fray after failing to earn a contract with League One side Colchester United and a series of other clubs at a similar standard. Prior is still based in the area, and after leaving Cardiff City wanted to return to the southeast, but the truth will only be revealed when the defender steps out in a blue shirt.
What is assured is that another local lad, Adam Barrett, should make his first appearance as a Shrimper, with former United defender Andy Edwards, who made 165 appearances with Blues as a youngster, back alongside him, at least for some of the time. Lewis Hunt is the other centre-back in contention for the starting line-up.
In the wide defensive positions, Duncan Jupp and one-time Arsenal teenager Nicky Nicolau will be the first-choice options come the start of the season, but as Steve Tilson looks to make some tough decisions, 18-year-old Stuart Williams and Ely-born utility man Che Wilson could both be handed 45 minutes each to prove their worth.
In midfield, the shock inclusion at some stage could be Michael Husbands on the left-hand side of midfield. Tilson and head coach Paul Brush tampered with playing the ex-Aston Villa trainee on the flank at the end of last season’s Pontin’s Holidays Combination campaign, and with the 20-year-old having decided to stick it out at Roots Hall for 2004/5, he could be included in that position for the second half.
Earlier in the match, expect to see Mark Gower employed once again out wide on the left as Southend look to solve the crisis on that side which mirrors that of the England national team. On the right, Jimmy Corbett will be the favourite to start the season on that wing, although Michael Kightly will once again be anxious to prove his talent after struggling at the tail end of last year with a niggling hip injury.
In the centre of midfield, Kevin Maher is still with the Shrimpers after yet another summer of speculation, and he looks set to be joined by Mark Bentley, who was a revelation in the middle of the park once he made the change to full-time football. With Pettefer and Smith out of the reckoning, it will be down to Surey to provide the back-up.
Up front, ex-Wimbledon man Wayne Gray will make his first appearance as a Southend player, and could well partner Drewe Broughton for a half of football. Tesfaye Bramble will be hoping to curb his bad-boy habits and score goals ton earn a new deal at the end of the campaign, and Judge, who seems of his ilk, could well prove a good foil.
Of course, the majority of this is pure speculation as nobody knows for sure what Steve Tilson will do ahead of his first pre-season as a gaffer. It is a rare meeting against the Rocks, who have only been in existence since 1969, and the one thing that you can be certain of is that The Little Gazette will be there to cover the entire programme.
TLG predicted first-half line-up (4-4-2): GK Bart Griemink; RB Duncan Jupp, CB Spencer Prior, CB Lewis Hunt, LB Nicky Nicolau; RM Michael Kightly, CM Mark Bentley, CM Kevin Maher, LM Mark Gower; CF Drewe Broughton, CF Wayne Gray.
TLG predicted second-half line-up (4-4-2): GK Darryl Flahavan; RB Stuart Williams, CB Adam Barrett, CB Andy Edwards, LB Che Wilson; RM James Corbett, CM Mark Bentley, CM Ben Surey, LM Michael Husbands; CF Tesfaye Bramble, CF Matthew Judge.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com