Released Shrimper speaks out: 'Players got distracted by what was going on and lost focus'

Last updated : 19 May 2010 By westfield shrimper

File:Osei Sankofa Meet the blues day 2009.jpg

Osei Sankofa: 'No way that we were the second worst team in the league'

Sankofa played 44 times for the Shrimpers over two seasons, only 13 of those in 2009/10, but was not been offered a new contract by Tilly which surprised some, especially if Simon Francis goes, but not the 25-year-old ex-Charlton man.

Osei told www.echo-news.co.uk: "It's never nice to be let go by a club because you like to feel wanted, but I thought it was inevitable this was going to happen. The club finds itself in a certain situation and, after being relegated, I'm sure there's a smaller budget for next season. I didn't get to play too much last season either so I did think this was going to happen."

Possibily still on high wages from his time with the Addicks, Osei made his debut with the south Londoners in the Premiership, against ManU no less, he might have taken a pay cut and the fourth tier may have been a good level for the lad.

However, he will be remembered for some good performances mixed with some very poor ones, and being part of the team that held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the cup, keeping Francis on the subs bench I recall!

Then again, talking of pay, it might have been nice to see the dosh landing in the players bank accounts.

Certainly Osei has no doubt that off the field events played a major part in the club's downfall.

The former Shrimper concluded: "I do think the players got distracted by what was going on and lost focus. There was always one thing or another happening and it did affect us because there was just no way that we were the second worst team in the league."