Speaking to www.southendunited.co.uk Tilly has been impressed, as we all have, with the contribution made by Jean-Michael in his 11 games played so far: "The second month of his loan is up next weekend and first things first we will be looking to extend for a third and final month. We can't make the loan any longer after that but I would certainly been keen to sign him permanently if we could. It hasn't been discussed yet either with him or with Portsmouth but it will be talked about at some stage because I would like to keep him at the club."
TLG certainly felt that Christophe would eventually return, as he may still do, as we had Macca coming back and the Moose and Snoop in reserve, also then Pompey manager Harry Redknapp was reported as having a lot of faith in him.
However, Redknapp leaving the Premiership club may mean replacement Tony Adams not rating the Frenchman so highly and, of course, Sawyer is also on loan. (Though Macca and Christophe in the same midfield would lack creativity, so Tilly must be thinking of keeping the Chelsea boy as well, for the season at least.)
Tilly, though, is not concerned about the changing managerial position on the south coast just yet: "I don't think Harry leaving will change anything concerning Jean and ourselves. But I think he's been superb for us since coming in. He played very well indeed against Leeds in the week again and broke up a number of their moves to get the ball back for us. He has certainly made a difference and that's why we don't want him to go back. He's happy here too and is close friends with Francis Laurent, (no wonder, Francis can only talk to two people poor bloke), so hopefully that could work in our favour too."
The player himself has confirmed to the official site that he is willing to look at a deal: "I am happy the manager has said that and I would like to sign here. I am in my last year of a contract with Portsmouth and I am playing for my future. I'm worjking hard and I like it here at Southend because it's a good club. I have been given a lot of time to play, the gaffer has given me confidence and we are doing well. We have a good team and I want to grow up with this side becaus me and my family like it in England."
Blimey, the Moose better like it the Buckinghamshire air!
Meanwhile, in the build-up to the local derby this coming Saturday, kick-off at 1pm remember, skipper Adam Barrett reminds of how highly he rates our north Essex neighbours. "Colchester tried to sign me a while ago and it was very flattering they were interested in me, but with Southend being my hometown club there was no way I could ever have joined them. I think my family and friends would have disowned me and I would have certainly have had to move on as well!"
Captain Adam went on to confirm that he feels a return to the Championship is a realistic aim but determined to rub out the two previous Championship defeats to the Farmers: "Being a Southend boy I know exactly what this game is all about and it means just as much as me as it does to anyone else. There will be plenty of colour and passion about the occasion and you sense a different atmosphere which does work its way down to teh players. You certainly don't want to lose to your local rivals and if we get another three points than we can really get amongst the teams at the top of the table."