Gilbert: 'I did get some stick from their fans last season but took it in a good way'
Southend United left-back Peter Gilbert is not at his best at the moment and is getting some stick from the usual sections of the Shrimpers support who like turning up to do that sort of thing.
It's no wonder he's looked a touch unsure at times recently and obviously not full of confidence.
However, with Luke Prosser not convincing as an ideal replacement, and unless Blues boss Paul Sturrock throws a cure ball and picks Dave Martin at left-back, (or Bilel !), Gilbo should be in the side to start against his former club Northampton Town at their place at the weekend, whose fans just might knock that frigile state of mind even more, not that he's going to state that upfront!
Gilbert told www.echo-news.co.uk: "I did get some stick from their fans last season but I took it in a good way and thought it showed I must have done well when I was with Northampton. If I hadn’t played well then they wouldn’t have been bothered that I left so I tried to take the positives from it and I will do the same again tomorrow. It’s part and parcel of the game and facing a former side but it’s more about the team than me and I just hope we can get a better result there this season.”
In fact, it even got to the stage of former manager Ian Sampson, the one before Gary Johnson, and Aidy Boothroyd, telling the Cobblers support they 'are more than welcome to give Gilbert a hard time.'
Charming! (Full article link below.)
Gilbert made 31 appearances during a seven month spell as a Cobbler with the main reason why the local faithful is pissed off was due to having turned down a new contract with the them to join old boss Luggy when the veteran Scot was desperate for players last summer.
Moreover, they say, he did it after verbally agreeing to sign for them first.
Anyway, whatever the truth, the former Sheffield Wednesday full-back is determined to get on with his own game.
Gilbert said: “It was a difficult decision to leave Northampton because I really enjoyed my time there but I looked at the bigger picture and wanted to come to Southend. I wanted to be part of something at the club and work with the manager here again so, long term, I always knew I was making the right decision.”
And with Southend sitting second from top while the Cobblers languish second from bottom, for the time being, and even though we lost 2-1 early on at Sixfields last season and yet to beat them at Roots Hall since he joined, it's looking as if Gilbert made the right decision!
Gilbert has been warned before: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
And another striker?: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
Sampo a good signing?: boards.footymad.net
The January Transfer Thread: http://boards.footymad.net
The Gilbert Files
 Gilbert playing for Sheffield Wednesday in 2008 |
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Eric Peter Gilbert[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 31 July 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Newcastle upon Tyne, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Southend United | ||
| Number | 3 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| – | Birmingham City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2002–2003 | Birmingham City | 0 | (0) |
| 2003–2005 | Plymouth Argyle | 78 | (1) |
| 2005–2006 | Leicester City | 5 | (0) |
| 2005–2006 | → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2006–2009 | Sheffield Wednesday | 34 | (0) |
| 2007 | → Doncaster Rovers (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2009 | Oldham Athletic | 5 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | Northampton Town | 30 | (0) |
| 2010– | Southend United | 44 | (2) |
| National team | |||
| 2004–2005 | Wales U21 | 8 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:19, 20 December 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
(Full player info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Gilbert)
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