TLG Player Profiles

Jamie Stuart is one of many new players featured in the section

As advertised at the end of last season, we have been working hard to complete the profiles of the Shrimpers squad over the summer, and statistics-wise all of the Shrimpers first-team squad have now been finished. The comments of both myself and website editor Mark Wallis will be added over the coming days and weeks, in the case of many players, as we see them make their debuts in Southend colours. During the season the profiles of the reserve and youth team regulars will also be listed in the same section.

You may have noticed a new category in the 'Players' section for 'Past Players'. This will include everyone who has played for Blues since the start of the 2002/3 campaign, and will have the same extensive range of facts and opinions. As yet a decision to take this back further has not been taken, although do not rule out some old heroes of yesterday making an appearance!

The stats themselves are simple to follow, but can be made even easier to work out with this simple key:

Player Positions (appear in the title line):
GK - Goalkeeper
D - Defender
SW - Sweeper
DM - Defensive Midfielder
M - Midfielder
AM - Attacking Midfielder
F - Forward
S - Striker
C - Centre
R - Right
L - Left
(where position is listed width-wise, the players preferred position is stated first, followed by any other positions he may fill. With relation to the position up or down field, the place nearest to the goalkeeper is given first)

Inside the stats:
(h) - Home
(a) - Away
Bold - Scored
[2] (Figure above 1 appears in brackets) - number of goals scored
Italics - Appeared as substitute
Yellow - Booked
Red - Sent-Off

Since we are now just a week away from the start of the 2003/4 pre-season campaign, a lot of the old features on TLG will be returning - 'About The Ground', 'Getting To Know You...', 'SUSCT Away Travel' and full match previews, whilst 'Third Division News' has continued to bring you up to date with all of the happenings in Nationwide Division Three through the summer. In addition to all of this, the next four weeks will also see us preview every side in the Third Division this year, as we bring you comprehensive coverage of Southend United in 2003/4.

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com