Francis Laurent

[Angell Delight]

Just like last week Laurent was magnificent today, on this form I'd be seriously worried we could lose him soon. Given that he is by far the most creative player we have in what is mainly a "workmanlike" team I'd say he's vital. Outrageous skill and pace with good vision and decent delivery too - he's brilliant to watch and skinned half their team a couple of times today before he was kicked out of the game.

We all know that Championship sides are almost certainly watching Barney at the moment and I'm sure their scouts would have to be blind not to notice Laurent's performances. Is he out of contract at the end of the season or is he (hopefully!) on a longer term deal here? He's already said he loves it here and obviously there's the "French Connection" too but if he carries on the way he is I reckon we'll be lucky if we can keep him past this season.

 

[pickledseal]

From what I have seen, I'd say he is a little unpolished. Undoubtable skill, but not yet the finished article. Hope we keep him.... can't afford to lose anyone really!

 

[leeblue]

he was worth the entrance fee just for that first half display

 

[chapperzUK]

brilliant player. Let's not forget that he was recommended to us by Christophe.

 

[Pubey]

I'd happily take christophe being an average signing to have allowed us to get laurent.

To me, laurent seems like he's gradually finding his feet. He has so much ability, but previously it's been inconsistent, and produced little end product. In a way he's not like bailey or freddy, who slotted straight in. Instead he's probably more like hooper or JCR, obviously skillful and talented, but needs to develop tactically. Tilly and brush haven't quite managed to succeed in tactically developing talented players previously, but as usual it looks like they've learnt and it's getting the best out of laurent.

We might have a small squad, but there is a **** load of ability and talent in it

 

[Welly7]

The first half hour in particular from Laurent was as exciting a performance from a winger I've seen at Roots Hall for many a year!! Simply untouchable...

 

[OldBlueLady]

The first half hour in particular from Laurent was as exciting a performance from a winger I've seen at Roots Hall for many a year!! Simply untouchable...

Maybe I've become a bit complacent over Franny, yes, he was good but I've seen better from him this season - Stockport for instance, he was completely unplayable. He's definitely beginning to find his feet in the team, and I hope he stays a while yet as creatively he can be our new Mark Gower type player.

Contract wise, well, I think he signed a 2 and a half year deal, and am pretty sure that is not up at the end of this season.

 

[smudgster]

He has talent by the cart load, but cant seem to see out a full 90 mins.

 

[blake]

Why wasn't he given the Man of the Match award? He stood out as the best player on the pitch by a mile.

 

[ibwiajwa]

Why wasn't he given the Man of the Match award? He stood out as the best player on the pitch by a mile.

I agree - I suspect that the fact that he didn't play the whole game may have been the major reason. Having said that, I was quite pleasantly surprised by the selection of Morrison for the MOM. Too often the scorers get the award when a solid unfussy display keeps us in the match. I thought Morrison looked the business today - he anticipated nicely and was careful with the ball. Got up well too. A mature performance from someone so young.

 

[BrettieAngell]

You could tell how well Laurent was playing because Hartlepool resorted to kicking him!

 

[mattytheshrimper]

laurent is so great to watch. his skill makes the game so entertaining and he did set up 2 clear chances today so he's clearly improving on the final part of his game. thats two great performances on the spin for him now. lets up he's ok for next week.

 

[Bramble'sGoalieGloves]

Yesterday and against the Dons he was spectacular! In the first half when he beat two to cut into the box and find Barnie with all the space in the world - just stunning

Shame he got the knock in the second half otherwise with Barnie more confident it could have been five :cool:

...just a word for Scannell though, his cross for the third goal is top, top quality

 

[Pubey]

Just saw the third goal on SSN, great cross by scannell

 

[OldBlueLady]

He took a knock in the first half resulting in a gash on his right shin, when he was laying prone in front of the West Stand for a while. He was limping heavily when he came back out at half time, and it was noticeable that he came out ahead of the others and didn't do the same warm up routine as them. Probably had already decided that he was unlikely to last long in the 2nd.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

He took a knock in the first half resulting in a gash on his right shin, when he was laying prone in front of the West Stand for a while. He was limping heavily when he came back out at half time, and it was noticeable that he came out ahead of the others and didn't do the same warm up routine as them. Probably had already decided that he was unlikely to last long in the 2nd.[/QUOTE]

As Tilly confirmed in his post match interview.

 

[OldBlueLady]

He took a knock in the first half resulting in a gash on his right shin, when he was laying prone in front of the West Stand for a while. He was limping heavily when he came back out at half time, and it was noticeable that he came out ahead of the others and didn't do the same warm up routine as them. Probably had already decided that he was unlikely to last long in the 2nd.[/QUOTE]

As Tilly confirmed in his post match interview.

Never heard it so didn't know that.

 

[TBV_Dan]

Was sitting in Block V yesterday, couldnt believe just how impressive Francis Laurent really was! I believe that he put on one of his best games this season so far, and if he didn't pick up that knock in the first half, he may have caused Hartlepool even more issues! His skill and bursts down the wings to beat players was the most impressive thing I have seen from a Southend player for a while now, and he linked up with the midfielders very well. The only minor negative I have to say about his performance was that he could work on his crosses a bit more - felt like they let him down in a way, but if he improved this, he could become one a key player in the team!

Also, as an added comment, whilst waiting for the train home, a Hartlepool fan was commenting on how good Laurent was yesterday, and asked me whether Laurent was on loan to us, when I said that he was one of our players, he couldn't believe it!

Fantastic result, to go 2-0 down in the first half and then pull it back to gain all three well deserved points is a fantastic achievement, Well Done Tilly for giving the players the confidence boost they so needed - if the team performed like that every game, we could be a strong force in this league.

UTB!!!!!!

 

[SUFCStu]

Certainly been a good buy and seems he has made the right wing postion his own.

Definitely a player we need to keep hold off.

 

[Shrimper]

Laurent is amazing, his feet are just so quick and every week he has to be double marked and still he manages to pip around them, the funny thing is, he makes the basic things like running around someone look so elegant and brilliant. Definitely our midfielder of the year for us. I would like to see Tilson try him up front but he hasn't got the best finish and i think he's better on the wings, although it would give Scannell some games. Colchester...watch out, Laurent is about.