Kane Ferdinand; 'the' Jewel in the Shrimpers crown to stay?
In a recent S24 poll we asked who was the Shrimpers 'Jewel in the Crown'?
It finished, in order of those who received more than a single vote;
Kane Ferdinand, Bilel Mohsni, Ryan Hall, Lee Sawyer, Anthony Grant. |
So the young Irishman Kane just edged out that quiet unasuming French Tunisian, with the talented wideboy Ryan Hall just behind, wonder if that would still be the case now?
All five are all tied to the Shrimpers until 2012/13 it wouldn't take much for Uncle Ron to accept some half decent dosh for any of them, I mean someone has to pay for that fourth side of Fossett's Farm, Ferdy stand anyone?!
And add 19-goal Barry Corr as a target, for Tranmere Rovers we've been told, heaven forbid!
What Friday, and hopefully in the remaining four fixtures, did and should prove, was that with two or three additions Blues boss Paul Sturrock could have a decent squad to challenge for honours next time around, but even he admitted at Tuesday evening's AGM if we don't get out of League Two as soon as possible the vultures will swoop!
So we better be up there come next January, that is if we survive the summer spending spree in tact!
Then again, even being in the third tier may not see us being to hold on to the cream of the crop, top scorer Lee Barnard was sacrificed in the new year transfer window 2010, a loss that certainly helped our eventual relegation if not the main reason, not that Uncle Ron would admit to it, easier to blame the players that stayed!
In the meantime, the teenage cousin to England international Rio is not letting being in the limelight affect him.
Ferdinand told www.echo-news.co.uk: "I don't let any of that get to me and, to be honest, I didn't even know anything about it until I read it in the paper. A lot of the stuff that's been printed isn't even true and I certainly won't be affected by it. I will just concentrate on doing well for Southend and helping us win the matches we have left this season."
This is mostly down to Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell and coach Sean McCarthy being seen in the Roots Hall stands during the hammering of their former club Bradford City Friday night, being 'old boys' the reason we were told they were there.
However, back in February Tractor Boys reserve coach Chris Kiwomya saw the thrilling 3-2 last minute victory over Wycombe Wanderers where Kane grabbed his first senior goal.
Championship rivals Nottingham Forest, through football consultant David Pleat, and League One Champions Brighton have both been sniffing around, maybe the south coast boys fancy a bargin to help kick-off their new efforts in the second tier!
So will we keep our Shrimpers stars?
As ever with this crazy club, only time will tell.
More from the AGM:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
the_future_is_pink_southend_united_agm_2011_669972/index.shtml
First sign of Tractor Boy interest:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
ipswich_town_show_kane_ferdinand_interest_
but_shrimpers_say_hes_staying_647382/index.shtml
Kane not their yet:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
kane_ferdinand_still_talking_hopefully_we_can_sort_
his_contract_out_over_the_coming_weeks_644516/index.shtml
Hurrah, he signs:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
ferdy_signs_pro_deal_for_shrimpers_there_were_other_sides_
interested_in_securing_him_next_season_660160/index.shtml
Then there was Bilel:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
paul_sturrock_could_have_been_difficult_for_bilel_mohsni_
as_hes_had_a_sniff_of_the_premiership_628708/index.shtml
And there was once a time for Snoop Dog:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
bilel_mohsni_and_anthony_grant_set_to_stay_
as_nervous_shrimpers_await_deadline_day_closure_627092/index.shtml