Some new Sturrock signings may be seen in Southend against Derby
So as the squad that Paul Sturrock built got to know each other better in Friday's 2-0 defeat at Dartford, there may still be more additions to the squad in the latest pre-season friendly against Derby County tonight at Roots Hall, kick-off 19.45.
Former Gills defender Sean Clohessy was seen at Princes Park Friday but did not get any match time, as he was also at the Meet the Blues Day Sunday it's fair to say he's in Luggy's thoughts, and he may be seen in a Blue shirt Monday evening.
The goalkeepers who played in north-west Kent last Friday have been identified as ex-Bristol Rovers and Swindon man Rhys Evans & Mikhael Jaimez Ruiz, released by Aldershot.
The consensus of those at the game was that Evans was useful, but Ruiz was awful! Oh well, we'll see if one or both start tonight.
Nothing yet on anybody else, we await news from the official site, but it would be surprising if he didn't give a couple of new names a try out.
Strikers Barry Corr is still doubtful with a back strain but fellow injury victim Scott Spencer should be seen at some stage.
On the new pre-signings signings waiting for the embargo to be lifted or at least clearance form the football league to play outside friendlies, more later, we have plenty to catch on there, and the other new players who met the faithful for the first time Sunday afternoon.
As for Derby, who were rumoured to be close to signing Matt Hooper, (shame, we need the sell-on fee people!), they will be using the match as a stepping stone to what they hope will be a serious assult on promotion this time around.
Boss Nigel Clough, seen on his late Dad Brian's knee as a child in the documentry about Clough senior Sunday evening, has already taken his side to a League Two club in the shape of former player Paul Peschisolido's Burton Albion, where they won 1-0 last Saturday.
Paul Peschisolido spoke after the game: "I think Derby will do really well this season. They put out two different teams against us, one in each half, and both were extremely strong. They have energy and you could see the quality in certain players. I hope they do well - I am a big fan myself."
Expect the same tonight from the Rams, and the home side will do well to get anything result wise out of this.
Hopefully the performance will improve but the players have had little training time since Friday's loss so they will still hardly know each other.
Anyway, Cloughy Jnr. told www.dcfc.co.uk: "It's been a busy and intensive week for us, with the games just a continuation of the pre-season training we have been doing for the past two weeks or so. Southend is once again an opportunity for the players to gain more match fitness in the bank, and once again we can come through the game unscathed and with no more injuries."
Tickets for to-night's match are £12 for Adults, £6 concessions and £1 for under-7's.
The East Stand only will be open for home supporters unless the crowd grows to such an extent they have to look at other areas!
Burton Albion 0 Derby County 1 (played Saturday, July 17th)
Dean Leacock's header in the first half was enough to give Derby County a 1-0 victory over Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium this afternoon in their opening friendly of pre-season.
Kris Commons whipped in a quality free after 26 minutes and Leacock met it to find the net.
Derby fielded different teams in each half, with the 22 players each given 45 minutes action.
The Rams also tried out a 4-2-3-1 formation, and there were signs of encouragement at this early stage.
Skipper Robbie Savage and new signing from Crewe, Jame Bailey, were the two holding midfielders first half.
Another of the new signings, John Brayford, started at right back and young defender Mark O'Brien was alongside Leacock at the heart of the defence only eight months after undergoing heart surgery.
Stephen Bywater's one save of note first half was low down at his near post as he turned Burton striker Shaun Harrad's effort behind.
Derby were rarely troubled second half - Saul Deeney did not have a serious save to make - and the Rams had opportunities to increase their lead.
Tomasz Cywka, bright and clever, went close as did 18-year-old American Conor Doyle on two occasions.
Doyle, who plays youth football in Texas, was one of two trialists on show for Derby. The other was 21-year-old Ilkeston Town striker Amari Morgan-Smith.
Gareth Roberts, the summer arrival from Doncaster Rovers, played left-back second half.
DERBY COUNTY (first half): Bywater; Brayford, O'Brien, Leacock, Connolly; Savage, Bailey; Mills, Commons, Martin; Hulse.
DERBY COUNTY (second half): Deeney; Varney, Anderson, Moxey, Roberts; Green, Abalimba; Cywka, Doyle, Pringle; Morgan-Smith.
(Many thanks to www.therams.co.uk for the report.)
Updated Pre-Season Schedule
Friday, July 16th - Dartford 2 Southend United 0
Monday, July 19th - DERBY COUNTY (home); kick-off 19.45.
Friday, July 23rd - Salisbury City (away); kick-off 19.30.
Wednesday, July 28th - Rushden & Diamonds (away); kick-off 19.30.
Saturday, July 31st - Eastbourne Borough (away); kick-off 15.00.