Echo News Goalkeeper coach Anssi says Blues are in safe hands this season

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United goalkeeping coach Anssi Jaakkola is certain the Shrimpers are in safe hands this season.

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[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Hard at work - Southend United goalkeeper coach Anssi Jaakkola (Image: FOCUS IMAGES)


By Chris Phillips@cjphillips1982Chief sports reporter.

SOUTHEND United goalkeeping coach Anssi Jaakkola is certain the Shrimpers are in safe hands this season.

The former Finland international joined Blues’ backroom staff on the eve of the current campaign.

And he believes competition between Collin Andeng Ndi and Zach Jeacock is now bringing the best out of both shot-stoppers.

“It took us a while to get another goalie in and it’s not ideal having just one first team keeper in the building,” said the 37-year-old.

“We were delighted to get Zach in but it did take longer than we expected.

“They get on well with each other though and they push each other too on the training ground every day.

“It’s a good environment to be in and they’re both extremely talented.

“I’m sure they both have a nice, bright future ahead of then.”

Blues have now kept three clean sheets in succession and six shut outs in their last eight games.

Jaakkola feels the keepers’ work-rate is now being rewarded.

“The hard work is starting to pay off,” said Jaakkola.

“ It was a slow start to the season, even for Collin.

“It took him a little bit of time to hit the form of last season.

“ Luckily now the hard work is paying off and the results are speaking for themselves.

“It helps to get another goalie in and since Zach came in it definitely helped Collin.”

Prior to Jeacock’s arrival, on loan from Lincoln City, Andeng Ndi had looked less assured between the sticks.

But Jaakkola stressed how dips in form are often quite common for young goalkeepers.

“People forget that Collin is only 21,” said Jaakkola.

“He’s played 80 games in the National League now but at that age it’s normal to have ups and downs.

“He’s shown good character to hit his form again and the work we do is showing up now.

“As a goalkeeper he’s growing and showing maturity during the games too.”

Jaakkola is guiding the goalkeepers using the experience he gathered from his own playing career which included spells with Kilmarnock, Reading and Bristol Rovers where he first got to know Blues’ head coach Kevin Maher.

And Jaakkola is enjoying his own role at Roots Hall.

“It’s been good,” said Jaakkola.

“It’s always interesting and challenging when you change clubs and go into a new environment.

“Luckily I knew Kev from my time at Bristol Rovers so that helped and it’s all been positive so far.

“We want to push onwards now and keep this form we’ve been on lately.

“We want to challenge for a play-off spot and hopefully we can keep picking up points and getting clean sheets.”

Blues are currently 14th in the table, six points below the play-offs.

 

[Swiss Tony]

80 games for Colin so far,could be looking at a century at the of of the season with some luck, he was thrown in at the deep end at the beginning and has performed amazingly well,what a legend,keep on improving Colin.

 

[wiggy]

SOUTHEND United goalkeeping coach Anssi Jaakkola is certain the Shrimpers are in safe hands this season.

Good to hear, i can do 0-0 in the bookies every week now then!

 

[Holy Joe]

80 games for Colin so far,could be looking at a century at the of of the season with some luck, he was thrown in at the deep end at the beginning and has performed amazingly well,what a legend,keep on improving Colin.

80 league games - more including cup

 

[Boreham Blue]

This aged well