Chris Powell was appointed as Blues' new Manager on Tuesday.
Shortly after the announcement, the 48-year-old spoke to assembled sections from print and broadcast media, as well as southendunited.co.uk
There is plenty of reaction to come from the Blues boss in Saturday's programme against Scunthorpe United, but here's some of what Powell said in his interview with iFollow Blues...
On the squad he inherits…
We’ve got some talented players here but we need to find a way now to make ourselves a solid unit, a solid team, a solid outfit in this league and then do our best to move on from there.
I’ll get around them, try and build their confidence up which isn’t easy. I’ve been a player and when you’re down you’re looking around for other players to help, but ultimately it’s down to you as an individual and as a team to help each other to get out of it.
That’s what we’ve got to do.
You’ve been a Manager in this division before with Charlton. What’s your thoughts on it as a whole now?
It’s very similar. There was a number of big teams back then; the two Sheffield sides, Huddersfield, Preston, but it’s generally quite similar.
Clubs that move up into League One and find it a struggle, clubs that move down from the Championship looking to bounce back up. It’s no different now with Wigan, Portsmouth, Blackburn.
But then, you’ve got to take each team on its merits. I don’t think you can every say well they’re a lower league side in the division, you’ve got to be ready and fully prepared for it.
We’ve got players here with good experience. Not only of this league but the Championship and the Premier League.
Now we’ve got to make sure they show their experience in this league, handle the tricky games away and home, really turn up for every single game and turn up and show that attitude and passion that they’ve all got.
I’ve watched some of the games - Charlton on Boxing Day they were outstanding. I want to see that on a more consistent basis.
Sometimes you just get yourself in a place that you can’t get out of, which is up to me and my staff to get out of.
It’s a tough league but the club showed last year they can perform in it.
You’ve watched a few games and you’ve seen one training session so you will have a rough idea about the squad. Have you identified areas you would like to improve?
Well I haven't got much time. You’re always looking to improve your squad and looking to nail down key areas of your squad.
Obviously we’ve lost Ryan Leonard and Nile Ranger recently, so we’re two short in those areas because they were two players in two key areas.
That may be something we’ll look at.
We’ve got a decent squad, obviously there’s a few injuries and we won’t be able to do anything after the end of January.
It will be remiss of me not to look to make sure we add to the squad and try and bring players in that will help us in the current position we’re in.
Also players that will help us beyond the season that we’re in, whether they’re permanents or come on loan with a view to a permanent we’ll have to wait and see but we’re working hard to rectify that and hopefully we’ll be able to get one or two players in as soon as possible.
On his first game in charge at Roots Hall against Scunthorpe…
It will be nerve-wracking of course, but you’ve got to get on with it.
Once that whistle blows there is not much you can do.
You can shout but the players have got to push themselves, they’ve got to get the crowd on their side and that’s by being aggressive with the ball and without, being positive, putting quality balls in from wide areas, set-plays we have to make count, we’ve got to lock it up at the back.
You want three points but ultimately you’ve got to take a point.
We’ve got to be hard to beat and clean sheets earn you points, which we haven’t had too many of.
We need to positive and on the front foot.
I’m look forward to it. Will I be nervous? Yes because I want it to go well, and then we’ve just got to go from there.
What’s you message to the fans?
Well welcome back I think for them and for me.
I want them to be proud of their team again and we’re going to need them.
I always feel that’s when you see the best of everyone where the real support will come out and back the team.
I know it’s never easy when the team aren’t winning because everyone gets frustrated but I will be doing my best to make them proud of their team again.
We’ve got some good young players. Fans always like young players so we’re going to do our best to integrate them. They’ve already made their debuts and it’s a trait of the club, that will continue.
We’re going to build a squad, a team, put an infrastructure in that the club will be proud of moving forward.
Ultimately it’s about results, producing wining football and that’s what we need to do.
