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 has 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!
Phillips tweeted on CJPhillips1982: "Coaching set up to remain the same at Blues next season, with part time help from others."
'Part time', senior players such as Shrimpers skipper Craig Easton stepping up to the plate more? We will see.
Anyway, a club 'source' told www.echo-news.co.uk last week: "Both Paul Sturrock and the board are keen to retain Graham in both a first team coach and player role. It is believed a deal is being negotiated at the moment."
So with the Phillips tweet, expect official confirmation very soon.
Nice to be wanted:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
sturrock_keen_to_keep_coughlan_as_a_shrimper_678571/index.shtml
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.)