Sturrock: 'Sawyer played the best he has done throughout the whole pre-season'
Blues boss Paul Sturrock at least had to suffer along with the 800-odd other fans at Park Lane Saturday afternoon to watch his team bore there way to a goalless draw with Ryman Premier side Canvey Island.
Sturrock told www.echo-news.co.uk: “I don't think we played well and we certainly didn't perform how I expect us to but it was difficult. The grass on the pitch was very long which made it hard to play a passing game and not too much happened in the game either. There were some positives though as I thought Lee Sawyer played the best he has done throughout the whole pre-season and it was good for Liam Dickinson to get an hour under his belt as well.”
Indeed it was, seeing we were sent down another of Luggy's curve balls that new strinking signing Dickinson was out with an ankle injury and could even miss next week's league opener with Hereford, something alreay headlined by the BBC and the fansite Bulls News!
As it was, he didn't do too badly, though it's tough when you don't get see of the ball, or lose it in the grass.
Sturrock said: “I think that was the first game Liam has had in three months and it showed he wasn't fit. He needs more game time and once he gets there I'm sure he will be fine. He showed flashes of what he's capable of out there today and now we just need to get him fitter.”
Whether a week is long enough to do just that we will have to wait and see.
Shrimpers Pre-Season Schedule
Monday, July 11th - Dartford 0 Southend United 3
Tuesday, July 12th - Great Wakering Rovers 0 Southend United 5
Saturday, July 16th - Dundee 2 Southend United 0
Sunday, July 17th - Raith Rovers 0 Southend United
Wednesday, July 20th - Braintree Town 1 Southend United X1
Friday, July 22nd - Southend United 1 Ipswich Town
Monday, July 25th - Needham Market 0 Southend United 5
Thursday, July, 28th - SOUTHEND UNITED 1 NORWICH CITY
Saturday, July 30th - Canvey Island 0 Southend United X1 0