The former Aston Villa forward has spoken to Echo reporter Chris Phillips about his Roots Hall rejection, despite being a leading member of the reserve side and featuring in two matches as a substitute for the Seasiders. Husbands explained how the situation has come about, “The gaffer approached me and asked whether I would like to go out on loan and I’m a bit disappointed really. I fell like I’m not wanted at Southend and I don’t think I’m going to be given a chance here to be honest”.
The 21-year-old suffered a blow to his chances of forcing a way into the first-team during the summer when director Ron Martin publicly criticised the striker, who can play wide on the right, for being an example of previous manager Steve Wignall’s new signings. Husbands was persuaded to stay when current boss Steve Tilson said that he would be given an opportunity, “The manager went on record during the summer saying I would be given a go but I don’t think that has happened. I’ve done well in the reserves, scored a goal and still can’t get into the sixteen, so maybe it might be better if I left”.
The Midlander, who claims to have settled in southeast Essex, could twice have left the club after firstly being approached by Gillingham on the day he signed for the Shrimpers and then again in the summer, but chose to attempt to win a starting spot back. However, a lack of confidence in the coaching staff at United may tempt him elsewhere, “Playing football is my job at the end of the day”, he said, before adding, “I want to get games. I haven’t been given a fair crack of the whip and I think the Southend fans can see that too. It’s unfortunate how things have turned out”.
Pleading innocence, Husbands claimed that he had not fallen out with either Tilson or Paul Brush. “I can’t see how it can be anything personal because I’m certainly not a trouble-maker. It must be down to the fact that the manager doesn’t rate me very highly and, if I can get out on loan, then it would be better than being in the reserves”. Links have been mooted with Nationwide Conference side Canvey Island, but Husbands claimed, “I don’t have anything lined up just yet”.
Meanwhile, another outcast, Wayne Gray, has been given a boost by the confidence in him from head coach Brush. Gray has netted just once since a summer move from Wimbledon, and missed two perfect opportunities to grab his opening strike from out of play at Meadow Lane on Saturday. But Brush has backed him to get better, saying, “Wayne did have two chances which he missed, but to be fair to him, I thought he did ever so well when he came on”.
“He looked strong and positive”, the former West Ham United defender continued, “and won plenty of headers. It would have been the icing on the cake if he had scored”. Gray grabbed Blues’ equaliser at Sincil Bank from the penalty spot, and Brush argued, “There’s a bit of anxiety with him in front of goal right now though as he desperately wants to score goals, but I’m sure it will come”.
Finally, established striker Tesfaye Bramble is set to win his race for fitness ahead of this Saturday’s match against Kidderminster Harriers. Bramble, who scored his first League goal for nearly ten months against Rushden & Diamonds a fortnight ago and has earned plaudits for his partnership with Lawrie Dudfield since, but had to leave the field after an hour of the game against Notts County. Brush commented, “Tes fell awkwardly during Saturday’s match, that’s why he had to come off. He’s responded well to treatment though and hopefully he should be back training in the next couple of days”.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com