Laurent: 'As a winger it's easier to run at people.'
Not many nines given out by the tough marking of EEB but he was happy to hand the S24 man-of-the-match award to the flying Frenchman.
Now Laurent want to have a continue in his starting position at Edgeley Road.
Francis spoke to Blues Player: "It was a very good game and we will see what happens but hopefully I can stay on the right wing and keep on doing well. When I first came over to England my agent told me to say I was a striker because of my size and we didn't think I would get as many chances as a winger. But I have always played on the right wing during my career and it's where I think I'm best."
I'll put my hand up and say I didn't see him as a wide man myself, it was from the centre he played that Leeds game last season, however he was amazing Saturday and it would be churlish not to give him a run in that position.
What he must find is consistancy and improve his finishing when in on goal, he missed a good chance at Stockport to finish off the game and, of course, a sitter against Oldham last week which would have given the blues a point.
He continued: "When you're a striker you often have your back to goal with the defenders close behind you and that doesn't suit me as much. As a winger you can have the ball at your feet and it's easier to run at people. I don't mind going up front for the team and the manager if he wants me to but I would much rather be on the wing." "
Francis may have won the Blues boss Steve Tilson over to his cause: "He really caused their left-back problems and hopefully he can keep it going because it was very exciting to watch. We've had a chat and Francis wants to play as a winger. He knows there may be times when we have to use him as a striker again but he wants to play out wide and when he plays like this you can see why."
You can read S24's exclusive match report from Stockport with player markings here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=466633.