Echo News Kendall eyes up next attacking partnership for Shrimpers

Evening Echo · Sunday at 5:02 PM

CHARLEY Kendall is ready to strike up a new attacking partnership at Southend United.

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THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK · Sunday at 5:29 PM

Settled - Southend United striker Charley Kendall (Image: Lucy Copsey)

By Chris Phillips @cjphillips1982Chief sports reporter.

CHARLEY Kendall is ready to strike up a new attacking partnership at Southend United.

Kendall lined up alongside Bim Pepple during the Shrimpers’ last two league games.

But, with Pepple having been recalled by Luton Town, Kendall will be lining up next to another of his team-mates.

And he insists it will not prove to be problematic.

“Me and Bim worked well together the last couple of games but now that I know how everyone plays I can adjust,” said Kendall.

“It’s easy to do.”

Macauley Bonne, Josh Walker and Danny Waldron will all be pushing for a place in attack.

And Kendall now feels more at home with Blues.

“Early doors I was still getting used to the way the players played and they would’ve been getting used to me too,” explained Kendall.

“Now that I’ve solidified knowing how they play and they know what I do it’s just a matter of time until I get that first goal.

“Hopefully the next game I can get one.”

Kendall has failed to score in five appearances for the Shrimpers since signing from Woking.

But the 24-year-old remains confident he will soon hit the back of the net for Blues.

“I’m always trying to get a goal,” said Kendall.

“I’ll keep trying to get in the right positions and hopefully it will come.

“It’s only a matter of time and once I get that first one, I’ll get the second and third and so on,”

Kendall’s next chance to score will come at Boston United on Wednesday night.

And the Shrimpers will head into the game on a high having triumphed in their last three games.

“We’ve won the last however many on the bounce and not conceded a goal so there’s a buzz around the place,” said Kendall.

“We’ll be ready to go.”

Blues were without a fixture at the weekend as their scheduled clash at home to Halifax Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

But Kendall remains determined to keep the good run going.

“I think it’s down to general hard work and being clinical and prolific,” said Kendall.

“It’s about working together well as a group and as a team.

“The clean sheets give us confidence, especially as attackers knowing we can go into a game and not concede a goal.

“It allows us to express ourselves at the top end of the pitch knowing that the defenders can do their job at the bottom end.

“But we have to keep working hard and a big part of my job is to press from the front and be the first line of the defence.”

Kendall will now be seeking more of the same against Boston but is only focusing on the Shrimpers’ performance.

“It’s all about us,” said the striker.

"We keep what the other team do in the back of our minds but first and foremost it's about what we do on the pitch because that gets us the win."

Blues will again be roared on by another large following.

And Kendall is in awe of the support coming the way of the Shrimpers.

"It hasn't been a surprise because I'd played here before," said Kendall.

"I know Southend is a huge club and I knew that before signing but it really sunk in when I played my first game at Roots Hall.

"The atmosphere was crazy and it's been great so far."