Well it's Friday and here's todays update, and it's only 10am! I wonder if I'll ever see a Greek island at this rate!
First someone who is actually going to be in the squad come August, unless he gets injured, and he has history, but at least he's a decent size!
Steve Mildenhall last night signed for Southend on a free transfer - leaving poor Yeovil Town without a goalkeeper. (Well that could have been us!)
Mildenhall, out of contract at Huish Park, had turned the Glovers' initial offer of a new deal. And he has now signed a three-year contract with League One rivals Southend. Blues Boss Steve Tilson was keen to snap up the 30-year-old, who has proven himself one of the better keepers in the lower divisions.
Southend's first-choice stopper, Darryl Flahavan, is immersed in a contract dispute, (Flavs reported as being unhappy with only a one-year offer), while his deputy, the ex-Yeovil keeper Steve Collis, has been released. Mildenhall's departure leaves Yeovil without a keeper as Darren Behcet has been released.
Steve was born on Swindon on May 13 1978, (30), is 6ft. 4ins and weighs 12st 10lbs. Mildenhall's professional career began with his with hometown club Swindon Town, with whom he made thirty-seven appearances in six seasons, before securing a £150,000 transfer to Notts County. Mildenhall played 91 games for the Magpies, scoring one goal (a free-kick against Mansfield Town in a League Cup tie), prior to making a move to Oldham Athletic in December 2005. He made six appearances for the club before breaking his finger, and he subsequently lost his place in the team.
In the summer of 2005, Mildenhall moved to Grimsby Town, and was ever present in his only season at Blundell Park. Failure to achieve promotion to League One in the 2005-06 season saw Grimsby manager Russell Slade leave the club, and Mildenhall also departed, joining his former manager at Yeovil Town. He has since then been the first choice goalie and has been very popular with the fans. He missed just over a month of action when he injured a muscle around his hip against Leyton Orient in mid September. Mildenhall returned to the first team in the 2-1 home defeat to Swansea City in late October. He however injured his knee ligament after a clash with Tommy Mooney in the 2-0 away defeat to Walsall in early February. Mildenhall was voted south-west footballer of the year for 2007.
Remember seeing him at Grimsby and he did well enough. At least we should have someone who might just help stop those damn set pieces going in on a regular basis.
Click on the link below to read his first interview for the club.
http://www.southendunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1324320,00.html
As for the latest 'Eastenders - The Uncle Ron Years' episode, player of the year Nicky Bailey got his views in and along with Simon's agents comments yesterday the fear is growing that Mr. Martin might have forgotten he's dealing in the modern football era and not with some hick building contractors. However, lets keep calm and continue to back the most successful backroom team in Southend United's long history. (Though the odd prayer might help!)
Blues star midfielder Nicky Bailey has admitted his shock at being placed on the transfer list at Roots Hall. Nicky has shunned a new contract offered by United, but in response the Shrimpers listed him. The 23-year-old midfielder joined Southend from Barnet last summer and he made a huge impact, finishing as top-scorer and earning the Player of the Year award.
But Bailey admits that he was shocked by Southend's reaction to his decision to reject a new contract. "It is a bit of a shock, I saw what was said and it did shock me," he told skysports.com. "But I suppose that is football, things happen and you have to get on with it. I know some people will look at the situation and think I have engineered this, but I have never given less than 110 per cent for Southend since I arrived and as I have said I am shocked as to what has happened. I don't think anyone at the club or the fans would be able to pick fault with my attitude or performances following my arrival. When I joined the club I was told I need to 'prove myself' and I think I did that by finishing top-scorer and being Player of the Year."
Bailey admits he is attracted by the prospect of playing at a higher level, after scouts from Premier League and the Championship flocked to check on his performances. "When I was younger I was at Fulham and got a little taste before I was released, but that has made me hungry," he said. "To play at the highest level is a huge incentive for me, I am still quite young and think I can do that. Rejecting the contract was about ambition, not about money or anything like that and I have never asked to leave the club. I was asked to prove myself and I did, and that has obviously impressed others. But as I said I am still shocked as to what has happened and we will see what happens."
Bailey's former club Fulham are understood to be one of the clubs watching him, with the likes of Hull, Charlton, Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers also believed to be keen.
Next update - Midday (maybe!)