Kane Ferdinand: No pro contract with the Shrimpers signed yet
Of course it's influential midfielder Kane Ferdinand who stands out of the six Shrimpers who have been offered pro deals as their scholarship deals come to an end.
And hopes have been raised by Ferdinand telling www.echo-news.co.uk: "Talks are going well now and everything is close to being sorted out. I've been with Southend five years and I enjoy it here so I'm happy to stay. It's been great working my way in to the first team recently and hopefully I can go on to play many more games."
We will wait and see, at the end of March he can go anywhere he likes, and it would be a huge boost to the depleted squad who turned their recent poor form around with a stunning 4-0 victory over Hereford under the lights of Roots Hall Friday.
Also having seen some first team action amongst the half dozen is another midfielder in Alex Woodyard; the other four names are keeper Daniel Bentley, and a further couple of midfielders in Jamie Stephens and George Smith, we're certainly be covered in that department!
Along with Kane they are all considering the deals at the moment and will let the club know as soon as possible.
Sadly there has to be a flip side, and three of Ricky Duncan's stars of the successful under-18's are to be let go.
One is striker Duane Ofori-Acheampong, who has put in some good performances this term and I thought he may be in with a shout, and fellow forward Hicham Abdellah, along with midfielder, well we're letting someone go in that department, Julian Okai, another I felt was in with a shout.
Still, finances and all that.
www.southendunited.co.uk said: 'The club would like to thank the boys for their service to the club and wish them well in securing a contract at another side. Every effort will be made to assist them in doing so and all three will continue to do so.'
Hear, hear to those kind words and I'm sure there are Ryman League clubs sniffing around come May.