Craig Easton; the Shrimpers skipper's return is vital for the team
We had an article ready wondering what Blues boss Paul Sturrock was going to do as loanee midfielder Michael Timlin was not allowed to play in the next two cup ties against Macclesfield Town (FA) and Charlton Athletic (JPT).
However, after his shock recall back to parent club Swindon Town the question goes far beyond the brace of cup games but the league match with Accrington Stanley Saturday week and beyond.
Hopefully the loss of Timlin will be covered by the reason he was here in the first place being fit again, the club captain Craig Easton. (Now if Granty picks up his fifth yellow on Saturday then we have another problem, but we'll cross that bridge at the time!)
As Sturrock confirmed on www.southendunited.co.uk: "We'd have liked to have kept Michael until the end of his loan but he's a Swindon player and they need him. Craig Easton should be in our thinking for the weekend after his injury so that softens the blow somewhat."
Meanwhile, that leaves the left back position open again for the Macclesfield game as Peter Gilbert's one match ban was not completed once the Cheltenham match was abandoned, so moves on to the weekend.
It shows where Luggy places places natural replacement Johnny Herd when he just sat on the subs bench Tuesday while Timlin played there instead with the surprising return of Sofiene Zaaboub on the left of midfield.
If Sturrock places the uninspiring Zabboub above Herd then it could be taxi for Johnny away from Roots Hall at any time.
The Shrimpers manager accepted nobody played well in the Crewe game, a lot to do with the manager's bizarre tactics as much as anything else, so it seems it's time to give the young full back another chance in a good old fashioned 4-4-2 and let Johnny Herd show how he can really play.
What's the alternative? Ryan Hall the new left back for a game.