Sturrock: 'Focusing on ourselves and getting things right for the game'
Blues boss Paul Sturrock is well aware that the trip to Burslem and taking on the team that Robbie Williams calls his own is not going to be an easy one, especially after last Saturday's disappointing performance.
Sturrock told www.echo-news.co.uk: "We need to concentrate on getting back on track when we go to Port Vale tomorrow. We were all frustrated and disappointed by the defeat to Burton last weekend. And this is now a chance to bounce back from that. Port Vale is a difficult place to go and I remember us scoring a last minute equaliser there last season to get a 1-1 draw. But they’ve started well again this year and, with Micky Adams back in charge, they are bound to be fired up because his teams always are. We therefore know we’re in for a tough test but we’re just focusing on ourselves and getting things right for the game."
Fair enough, but Luggy adds a warning that will chill the hearts, and that's not the present damp summer, of the travelling faithful.
Sturrock concluded: "Unfortunately, the injury situation isn’t helping at the moment and there are five members of the team that started against Burton who are carrying knocks at this stage."
Oh well!
The S24 Preview: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
Adams: 'Southend have spent big in terms of wages on Dickinson & Harris'
Meanwhile, Valiants boss Micky Adams is nice enough to see our much vaunted striking duo of Neil Harris and Liam Dickinson as a pair to watch, well, with only a penalty goal between them at the moment and the loyal Southend support will be hoping he's proved right!
Adams told www.port-vale.co.uk:"I think what is interesting about the division is a lot of clubs have spent money. Not necessarily money in terms of transfer fees, but certainly in wages, on front-men. I wnet to watch Northampton the other night and they have got Akinfenwa and Robinson, and those two won't have come cheap. Similarly, Southend have spent big in terms of wages on Dickinson & Harris."
Not sure Mickey we've spent as much as you think, seen our accounts
Anyway, he stuck to the theme.
Adams continued: "I think everybody is trying to say 'we didn't score enough goals last season, we didn't win enough games, and what we will try and do is improve the front two.' Certainly that is the case with Southend. A lot of the squad is there from last season and what they have done is add quality to their front line. So we are aware of the threat Southend present, and certainly with that front two we will have to be at the top of our game. Harris has always scored goals at all levels he has been at and Dickinson, altough he has had a chequered career, I remember him at Stockport scoring lots of goals to get them promoted, so we have got to be wary of them."
So hopefuly that will let Bilel in for the winner, possibily!