Transfer News and Gossip Josh Walker signs on a two year deal

[Evening Echo]

JOSH Walker is pleased to have joined Southend United - six months after first becoming aware of the Shrimpers’ interest.

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[Ricey]

Gary Hooper was toilet for us but he turned out OK after moving on

Sometimes you just need a new club and a fresh start. Think he will do well under Kev

Remember he went from National League to League One, that’s a relatively big jump. I take what he says with a pinch of salt.

I’ll judge how he performs for Southend, interesting to hear his opinion as he’s a proper football guy and I respect it.

Welcome to the club Josh!

 

[in the know]

We had a spread of players knocking goals in last season with cards notching up a good amount. It only takes one of waldon, cards, walker to find a rich vein of scoring to make a huge diffe rence. The more good forwards capable of it, the better chance it happens. Bridge, Ralph, Husin and Gus will still knock in quite a few between them. I can't see there being a shortage of goals as long as we attack and create chances. Walker will suit kevs love of a high press a lot more than tshimanga would. I don't know if Gubbins is a threat at corners, long throws and set pieces but if he is, that's another plus, because kensdale doesn't really offer that.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

Another thought on this…

When Kev came in, we started off with a 3-4-3, with overlapping centre halves, and Dennis as one of his wide forwards.

Could we see a return to this, he loves 3 across the back (5 if you include wing backs) and go with 3 up top. Cards through the middle and Waldon & Walker either side.

You’d need legs for the two in the middle, and us moving Wes on is a sign that he wasn’t a player who had the legs for that system.

Wes was offered a reduced deal, reflecting how we saw his role next season.

Like the Gubbins signing, this could give us additional flexibility to rest, rotate or even change up the system.

I just said exactly the same to dad. It could also mean that Taylor comes into the midfield with Miley to make us more solid. Especially now Wes has gone and Husin could be out for a while too.

Collin
Crowther, Kensdale, Ralph
Gus, Miley, Taylor, Bridge
Waldron, Cardwell, Walker
(3-4-3)

Obviously, Gubbins and Morton can swap with two of those 11 seamlessly.

 

[KiwiRob]

Gary Hooper was toilet for us but he turned out OK after moving on

Sometimes you just need a new club and a fresh start. Think he will do well under Kev

And a run of games in the first team...

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Another thought on this…

When Kev came in, we started off with a 3-4-3, with overlapping centre halves, and Dennis as one of his wide forwards.

Could we see a return to this, he loves 3 across the back (5 if you include wing backs) and go with 3 up top. Cards through the middle and Waldon & Walker either side.

You’d need legs for the two in the middle, and us moving Wes on is a sign that he wasn’t a player who had the legs for that system.

Wes was offered a reduced deal, reflecting how we saw his role next season.

Like the Gubbins signing, this could give us additional flexibility to rest, rotate or even change up the system.

We started with a 3-5-2 under Maher and ended up with a 3-4-3 almost by accident. Even then I never felt Maher really trusted it and would often abandon it midmatch so I think it would be more for occasional matchups rather than as a base formation. Agree Walker looks like a natural for a wide forward role in such a formation though and Dennis (who thrived in it) was the player who came to mind earlier for me as well. Think it’s probably going to be Wood’s best chance of an impact as well.

Presumably it would be Moreton and Miley in the middle as the double pivot in a 3-4-3 but I’m sure we’ll look to strengthen there as well.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

positive as ever

I'm merely stating a fact that his previous 2 years have been very poor in terms of strike rate.

On paper it's not a good signing let alone statement one but i'll happily be proved wrong.

 

[annie1954]

We have just made two signings who still.& Maher have obviously been watching and already the shrimperzone doom brigade are in full swing and not happy

 

[Jon h]

He's got 4 goals in his last 45 games so its hardly a statement signing.

To be fair he didn’t start many of the games

 

[Strykr]

We have just made two signings who still.& Maher have obviously been watching and already the shrimperzone doom brigade are in full swing and not happy

Not really, you can be realistic and express an opinion without it having to appear doom and gloom, not everyone agrees on everything.

 

[Guybrush13]

I assume now the interest in McCallum was either a) not there to begin with or b) is now dead in the water.

 

[Booma]

Not exactly inspiring. But as we've all seen for some players it doesnt always work out at certain clubs, lets hope he does the business for us.

As @Lincoln Shrimp pointed out on another thread, worked with Darren Currie at Barnet. Keep the faith

 

[Tampa Blue]

I assume now the interest in McCallum was either a) not there to begin with or b) is now dead in the water.

Suspect wages were a problem and as he’s in contract then a fee would also be charged

 

[IloveShrimp]

Plays like Andy Ansah

 

[WickfordShrimper]

Plays like Andy Ansah

Exactly what I was thinking

 

[Napster]

Exactly what I was thinking

As long as that’s Andy in his prime and not Andy now

 

[manor15]

I’ve spoken to my friend who is a Burton Albion fan, goes to 90% of games and said the following:

So…. We got him a couple of transfer windows ago from Dagenham and came with a decent reputation as being a good pro. It was absolutely apparent that he was massively out his depth in league one and let’s be honest mate, out of his depth in a shockingly poor/awful/struggling Burton side who only managed to escape relegation on the final day!! We loaned him out in Jan to Gillingham and their fans didn’t think much to him.

He can’t head the ball for toffee. Easily bullied. However, his attitude is quite infectious and he will run and I mean run all ****ing day. He will run the channels, chase, hurry, do doggy’s etc. To me, we didn’t see the best of him because he never got an opportunity. Gillingham he was quickly out of favour plus they changed managers. Don’t expect him to score a hatful. 10 max. And I will be surprised if he gets 10.

Sounds a bit like Theo Robinson. That kind of player would probably be a good fit in this team, even if they don’t score for fun.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Plays like Andy Ansah

Exactly what I was thinking

Lol, I’m glad that’s not just me who sees that.

Some of those goals are just pure Ooh Andy Ansah aren’t they? Especially the diving header and the one where he just gets to the ball first before the keeper and stabs it in.

 

[CaptainSmudger]

I’ve spoken to my friend who is a Burton Albion fan, goes to 90% of games and said the following:

So…. We got him a couple of transfer windows ago from Dagenham and came with a decent reputation as being a good pro. It was absolutely apparent that he was massively out his depth in league one and let’s be honest mate, out of his depth in a shockingly poor/awful/struggling Burton side who only managed to escape relegation on the final day!! We loaned him out in Jan to Gillingham and their fans didn’t think much to him.

He can’t head the ball for toffee. Easily bullied. However, his attitude is quite infectious and he will run and I mean run all ****ing day. He will run the channels, chase, hurry, do doggy’s etc. To me, we didn’t see the best of him because he never got an opportunity. Gillingham he was quickly out of favour plus they changed managers. Don’t expect him to score a hatful. 10 max. And I will be surprised if he gets 10.

Tell your friend to F*** Off. He is a Shrimper now. COYB UTB, Welcome Josh

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

When he played for D&R, he looked fantastic, and with a great scoring record. Some of those goals are pure class by the way. If that Josh Walker shows himself, we are in for a treat. After that, it all went pear shaped at Burton and Gillingham. That could be for a multitude of reasons. Let's give him our full support and hope he finds his best form again.