Southend assistant boss Paul Brush revealed Wednesday that the club were looking at a number of players to fill certain positions, one being a natural left footed player for the midfield that has been taken up by the Belgian born Franck Moussa for the latter part of last season.
When reviewing the season over the weekend TLG suggested that this should place Reading's Hal Robson-Kanu back in the frame if it's possible to get him back for another loan period. However, that would cause a bigger problem. Five into two don't go. That you would have the Moose, Alan McCormack, Jean-Francois Christophe, Anthony Grant and, you have to include him, Stuart O'Keefe.
Franck has made it clear that he wants to return to the centre eventually, if for nothing else he's believes it may his international ambitions, and was one of the reasons we placed him on our 'wild card' transfer list of players who might attract offers from other clubs.
Scouts must have noticed that form and read the reports, if the Blues want to keep him they may have to give him a run in his preferred position with the risk of causing problems elsewhere. No wonder Lee Sawyer is no longer a priority.
You can read about Moussa's concerns here:
www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDX2&id=441637
It's ironic that the wide right position is also being targeted when we have so much talent in the middle of the park.
Brushy, speaking to the Echo, is well aware it's a situation that will have to be sorted out at some stage: "Franck has caused us a problem in that respect and it is the type of thing you constantly thinking about. In the final few months of the season he looked very comfortable on the left hand side and certainly did not look like someone just doing a job out there. His running with the ball was very positive and that was something that had been lacking in the team since Lee Sawyer went back to Chelsea after finishing his loan spell with us."
The 19-year-old Moussa fought his way back into the side after an unjustified sending off against Brighton and a loan spell to Wycombe to make 22 consecutive appearances for the team left wide of midfield scoring twice. I will never question Spud Taylor's coaching methods again!
The Blues No. 2 continued: "Franck improved massively and really did catch the eye so we know he's able to play out there if necessary and it's good for him to be able to play in different positions. At times he was able to do things like Mark Gower did for us and the season almost ended too soon for him. He does have things he needs to work on like the timing of his runs into the box and his shooting on the run but his performances were certainly encouraging. We want more of that next season."
And so say all of us, but in what position?