Breaking News Sam Higgins and Lee Boylan

[Exiled Shrimper]

Rob, ... Was Bouzid again totally unimpressive? Again, another strange one to get only a half.

I'm glad to hear you say that Woodyard impressed, as I have been totally struggling to see why he was continually getting first team recognition ahead of Stevens.

Well, the two set-pieces he sent in at the end of the half were reasonable, other than that, he was rather anonymous as, I'm afraid, Bouzid has been generally when I've seen him. I think the lads got talent but, as I think Paul Sturrock has eluded to in the past, he seems to be struggling to get to grips with the pace of the English game. There was one occasion yesterday when Luke Hobbs shouted at him to take his man on (he was playing in a wide-right role) and he just never looked like he had the confidence or pace to get around his man.

I was really impressed with Woodyard at the start of the season, and could see why he was given a spot in the first-team for the match at Shrewsbury in November. His levels dropped off a bit during the winter, but I really thought he was back on it again yesterday. James Stevens for me is a phenomenal talent; I've said it a thousand times, but his range of passing and his set-piece ability is unbelievable. His added goalscoring to the mix over the past couple of months, and he has bulked up a lot. I'm surprised he hasn't had a spot on the bench for the first-team at some stage, but I guess the coaches at Boots & Laces see him in training and want him to work on some aspects of his game. I'm only fortunate enough to see him in a match!

 

[EastStandBlue]

Don't know if it has been posted before on here, but this video should tell you all you need to know about Stevens (#4)

[video=youtube;0vi2IFQ0IfY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vi2IFQ0IfY[/video]

 

[Andy_S]

What a ball by Della-Verde for the third....

 

[jamesmut2000]

Duane's finish for the second wasn't bad either!!

Rob, what are your thoughts on Teddy Nesbitt? I've been quite impressed by him when I've seen him.

 

[Exiled Shrimper]

Duane's finish for the second wasn't bad either!!

Rob, what are your thoughts on Teddy Nesbitt? I've been quite impressed by him when I've seen him.

I think Teddy's been superb this year. It seems like ages ago that I saw him for the first time when he played as a 14-year-old in a couple of pre-season friendlies at Norwich City and Harlow Town (against their first team). He's certainly kept on progressing, and he's a solid left-back at youth team level. He gets forward well, which really suits the Under-18s well with Julian Okai often drifting inside, and you can see that from the Derby clips posted by ESB above. He hasn't played a lot for the reserves recently, which worries me in terms of the future because I'd be expecting him to feature a lot more in the second-string if the club are thinking of keeping him on. He's definitely been one of the best players for the youth team this season, and I thought his performance up at Anfield was pretty good as well; he kept the dangerous right-winger relatively quiet and Raheem Sterling got less change out of him than he did against Anthony Furlonge before he switched flanks.

 

[Fiftyone]

If as seems likely Johny Herd is not offered a new contract in the summer I think it would be worthwhile giving Nesbitt a 12 month deal to see how he progresses.

He has always impressed me whenever I have seen him and has a good attitude.

 

[top shirmper]

Agree with everything you say about Woodyard, started the year so brightly and deserved his chance but Stevens is the main man in the youths now Ferdinand has been promoted. Stevens really dictates games with his passing and leadership. Whereas I feel Woodyard charges around and hard work will only get you so far. I feel young Woodyard has done well but has been very fortunate to be ahead of Stevens but as you say they see the lad every day in training.
Would like to see both Stevens and Woodyard given deals in the summer.

Find it strange the Alex Woodyard (2nd year scholar) and Lyle Della Verde (1st year scholar) were on the bench on Tuesday vs Barnet and Merrick James Lewis (1st year PRO) wasnt named in squad. Couldnt have been an injury as he played 90 mins vs Ipswich the following day. Think he could be out the door this summer.

Bouzid - OUT. He is poor. Not up to the standard.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Bouzid - OUT. He is poor. Not up to the standard.

To be fair to Bouzid, last game I saw him play he was doing well until he took a nasty head injury which he's only recently recovered enough from to play.

 

[rlb999]

Any manager who refers to a 32 year old striker as "the boy boylan" is all right with me.

 

[West Stand Benfleet Blue]

Boylan and Higgins

I heard on radio this evening that it appears PS is not looking to sign either of the above, what are views?
I have to say I would take a chance till end of season and see if they can perform as it would give us a couple of options??

 

[Streaky]

I guess PS doesnt think they are any better than Crawford or Asante, therefore no point in offering them a deal.

 

[bazzashrimper]

I think PS said Boylan is not fit enough (in a comminges way when he joined) and it would take to the end of the season for him to get fit. Also said that Higgins is pretty inexperienced and not necessarily one to throw in the team at the moment.

I think it was a nice way of saying "Next please"

 

[grassroots]

From what I remember a certain Mr. Eastwood came along, he had only been here around for a week or so, suddenly all of our strikers were unavailable or injured and he went into the side, untried against the top of the League Swansea (dont think he even had a reserve game).......7 seconds later.........! I'm all for 'chucking em in' at the deep end - you never know! But then I'm a dinosaur!

 

[southendkid]

From what I remember a certain Mr. Eastwood came along, he had only been here around for a week or so, suddenly all of our strikers were unavailable or injured and he went into the side, untried against the top of the League Swansea (dont think he even had a reserve game).......7 seconds later.........! I'm all for 'chucking em in' at the deep end - you never know! But then I'm a dinosaur!

Weren't we doing really poorly at that point? Right now we are the in form team, taking gambles on unknowns doesn't seem like a good idea

 

[Thorpe Groyney]

I know that Sam Higgins was offered a deal by East Thurrock United that Southend United couldn't match.

They offered to pay him on time.

 

[McNasty]

I know that Sam Higgins was offered a deal by East Thurrock United that Southend United couldn't match.

They offered to pay him on time.

Harsh ---- but fair.