Phillips: 'I really wanted to come to Southend'
With defender Luke Prosser gone to Port Vale a fit and keen Mark Phillips is just who you need to fit into a central defensive slot that is short of bodies, especially if the injury to Bilel Mohsni continues to keep the French-Tunisian in the stands.
Since joining in the summer from Brentford, where he was part of the west Londoners march to the League Two title in 2009, Mark has been plagued by injuries, first with a hamstring problem followed up by his hernia, which has kept him out of manager Paul Sturrock's plans for four and a half months.
It's kept the 28-year-old down to just three league games as a Shrimper, however, he did feature for over an hour in the reserves penalty shoot-out win over Chelmsford in the Essex Senior Cup last week, and may play a half against Colchester tomorrow for Graham Coughlan's Blues Two's, or Luggy may believe he's seen enough to take him straight up to Rotherham for this weekend's tough League Two clash against the second placed club.
Phillips told www.southendunited.co.uk: "It was great to be playing again because it has been hugely frustrating for me since I signed here. I got over 65 minutes and could have gone but the physio didn't want me to do anymore. I've come through that without any problems so I would like to put myself forward for first team selection now. I think I'm ready."
We will see, but it would be great to see Mark back as the veteran Coughlan, good as he's been filling in for Bilel, could do with the break.
Phillips continued: "It's been massively frustrating. I was playing regularly at Brentford for a couple of seasons and I really wanted to come to Southend and be part of what the manager was planning, getting the club promoted. I wanted to help with my experience and pass on what I know about League Two. There are a few young lads in the team and a few who have come from non-league. They are doing really well with the step up but experience from players like Chris Barker, Graham Couglan and I can help."
And experience, the word of the day, is certainly something Mark has.
He concluded: "I know what it takes to win League Two and I think the play-offs are a possibility for us. We have shown glimses and played really well against Oxford. We can beat any team on our day, but the consistancy has not been there."
Brave talk from 17th position, but we showed what we can do with those back-to-back 2-0 away wins, and there's still enough points around to rise up the table, a signing or two is definitly needed though.
For Mark's interesting interview in full, go here:
www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~2263419,00.html