Phillips: 'The manager has given me a licence to go forward and I like it'

Last updated : 29 August 2011 By westfield shrimper

Phillips: Celebrates goal

1-0 Phillips: 'Think this result shows we are serious contenders for promotion'
 
Who would have though it, defender Mark Phillips, after all his injuries, is this season's Southend joint top scorer!
 
And he believes the cracking 3-2 away victory over one of the promotion favourites in Port Vale at the weekend sets down to the other clubs in the division our own credentials to escape the bottom tier. 

Phillips told www.echo-news.co.uk: “It was great to help the lads get a good win and I think this result shows we are serious contenders for promotion this season. We got ahead in the game early on and then really dug in to make sure we got the three points. I thought we showed excellent character to get the win and we looked pretty solid too which is always pleasing.”

Indeed it is, and if the former Brentford skipper can keep out of the treatment room, a reason why he may be rested for Tuesday evening's JPT first round clash with Crawley Town at Roots Hall, and continues to score at his present ration, two goals in three games, the Shrimpers faithful will have more reasons to remain confident themselves!

Phillips continued: “I haven't got too many goals in my career, in fact this was just my fifth, but the manager has given me a licence to go forward and I like it. But it was great to just be out there again as well because it was obviously frustrating for me to have to miss matches after getting myself back in the team.”

Best of luck, at both ends of the field, for the rest of the season Mark, just keep fit!

The S24 Crawley Preview: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk

Daniel in the JPT Den?: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk

The Phillips Files

Personal information
Full name Mark Ian Phillips
Date of birth 27 January 1982 (1982-01-27) (age 29)
Place of birth Lambeth, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current club Southend United
Number 15
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2008 Millwall 67 (1)
2007 → Darlington (loan) 8 (0)
2008–2010 Brentford 55 (1)
2010– Southend United 7 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:20, 28 August 2011 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

(Player info supplied by Wikipedia, for the full article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Phillips_(footballer)