Graham Coughlan; might still be needed as a player as well as a coach
The veteran defender Graham Coughlan turned out 35 times at centre-back last season as well as helping out Blues boss Paul Sturrock on the coaching front with the first team and actually being in charge of the reserves.
Not a bad work load, so in these tough times in south-east Essex it's not surprising that the club want him to stay as his present contract comes to an end, and word from the club reached Echo journalist Chris Phillips that everything is indeed set to remain the same.
Though the predicted promotion to an assistant manager title doesn't look as if it's going to happen, with our finances there was never going to be someone brought in, then again what's in a name, he's doing more jobs than most No.2's, hope he get's the dosh!
Coughlan told www.echo-news.co.uk: "I've had a chat with the gaffer and Tara Brady and it was all very positive. I'm just waiting to put pen to paper now but it's been such a busy period I haven't had time to do it just yet. I've been putting everything else ahead of myself but I'm glad to be staying because I genuinely believe next season could be a successful one for us."
Everyone at S24 looks forward to Graham remaining with the club, a true professional, and he's stopped the reserves shipping goals for fun!
No change:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
shrimpers_coaching_set_up_to_stay_the_same_679132/index.shtml
Nice to be wanted:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
sturrock_keen_to_keep_coughlan_as_a_shrimper_678571/index.shtml
The Coughlan Files
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Graham Coughlan | ||
| Date of birth | 18 November 1974 (1974-11-18) | ||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Republic of Ireland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Playing position | Centre back | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Southend United (player-coach) | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1993-1994 | Cherry Orchard | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1994-1995 | Bray Wanderers | 11 | (0) |
| 1995-1999 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 | (0) |
| 1997 | → Swindon Town (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 1999 | → Livingston (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 1999-2001 | Livingston | 50 | (2) |
| 2001-2005 | Plymouth Argyle | 177 | (25) |
| 2005-2007 | Sheffield Wednesday | 51 | (5) |
| 2007 | → Burnley (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2007-2008 | Rotherham United | 45 | (1) |
| 2008-2010 | Shrewsbury Town | 78 | (6) |
| 2010- | Southend United | 33 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:54, 8 May 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). | |||
(Player info from Wikipedia, for the full article go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Coughlan)
That's the coaching sorted then, what about where you believe the Shrimpers squad should be strengthened, let's have you're thoughts here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/interactive/voting_polls.asp
(Not an exact science, i.e. put attacking central midfielder or striker who lays off Big Baz, but it will give an idea of the thoughts where the team are believed to be weakest.)