Shrimpers sign Gilbert

[Boreham Shrimper]

Brushy says he wants two more players..

So that must be a centre half and a striker then..

I find the quote on the OS article about having a close liason with clubs like Arsenal interesting...

Maybe a further raid on the Emirates is in the pipeline?..

http://www.southendunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1081504,00.html

Hopefully we may be able to bring in some more quality players and yes, it is always good to have a close liaison with clubs such as Arsenal.

I also like the bit where Brushy talks about fitness. Players such as Kerrea Gilbert have experienced the tougher training regimes of a top Premiership side and can hopefully bring some of that work ethic to the side. Fitness is an area in which I think we can improve, looking at Saturday's performance as an example. Obviously it is early days yet but it is good to see the emphasis being placed on both bringing in the players that we need and the overall fitness of the squad.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Now that it seems that we are close to getting a large squad that many have called for the trick is keeping those players not in the team happy.

I see one or two of our surplus strikers going out on loan.

 

[Beefy]

From what I've seen of Gilbert, he looks a class act and I'm thrilled we've got someone of his calibre. As we've signed him until the end of January at least, I wonder if it means Tilly is considering using Simon Francis (when he returns from injury) at centre-half? I haven't seen him play there but I remember him getting rave reviews - both from fans and Tilly himself - when he switched to that position during one of the pre-season friendlies last summer. I know the management want a bit more height in that department and Francis certainly fits the bill there. Obviously he needs to up his concentration levels but otherwise he has all the right attributes, in my opinion.

I hope you're right, Kris, because the only drawback to what appears to be an amazing signing for us is the effect that this could have on Simon Francis. Whilst Paul Brush is talking about the need for competition, we do have that at right back with Francis, Hunt & Wilson so hopefully Simon would have been kept on his toes. We all know about his vunerabilities at time but if he gets a run of games I really think he could be a star performer for us this season.

That said, you can't not be happy with a signing like Gilbert. I've seen him for Cardiff & Arsenal in the past but even without seeing him you know what to expect from an Arsene Wenger fullback. He'll be looking to get forward as often as he can like Cole, Clichy, Eboue and Nicolau....

 

[Beefy]

I make that a 25 man squad now. Can't remember the last time we had one of them.

 

[Andy_S]

Feck me what a great signing. He's several classes above Hunt and although I think a lot of Francis' potential, Gilbert is a step up from him as well. He was superb at the Hall last season and one that I instantly thought at the time showed the step up in quality from League 1 to the Championship.

Heard about the possibility of this at the weekend and ignored it thinking it was actually a wind up.

Nearly wet myself in excitement when I saw the Kieran Gibbs thread below! Perhaps Arsenal have let slip about it and not just got confused? It doesn't seem like something Arsenal would do in their professionalism, get 2 players completely mixed up. He looked outstanding yesterday. When Brush says 2 signings you instantly think centre back and striker, but that might not be true. Think about it, with Gilbert coming in, Hunt could now be the fourth centre half, because I really can't see him getting ahead of Gilbert.

 

[Andy_S]

How about Jay Simpson, meant to be a fantastic prospect for the future.

Would fit the bill superbly IMHO. VERY quick, which is something we lack in droves and a talented young player. They are looking to loan him out and Peterborough made enquiries a few weeks back but I think Arsenal want him to play higher. Go on Tilly, sort it. :D ;)

 

[Jam_Man]

He'll be looking to get forward as often as he can like Cole, Clichy, Eboue and Nicolau....

You were doing so well till you mentioned the last one, shame he moved on to better things when he left us....

True though all attacking players, Eboue looks like he will actually play midfield now as he gets forward so often.

Ive seen Gilbert and he should be a superb signing, he made the Arsenal 1st team on occassion so if he is good enough for them will be alright for us.

Echo the comments about Francis though, a loanee can sometimes be detrimental to the full time member. If Gilbert were to keep Francis out of the side in 6 months he leaves and Francis with lack of first team matches could be a lesser player than he is now.

Still Id rather be worried about too many options than not enough.

 

[Ricey]

Great loan signing so that looks like defence is covered now and if we sign Oji will be even better. Now will we be seeing another striker that is the question?

 

[Cricko2]

Great loan signing so that looks like defence is covered now and if we sign Oji will be even better. Now will we be seeing another striker that is the question?

Oji went back to Brum ..They thought he was to much like the players we already have.


I hope they have this sort of competition within the SZFC Ricey .:p

 

[Andyhsufc]

Great signing; Hunty looked very dodgy at fullback on Saturday and i wouldnt have fancied Wilson at right back

 

[Jam_Man]

Great signing; Hunty looked very dodgy at fullback on Saturday

...against Premiership wingers of course.

Would have been happy with Francis and Hunt but hey, Gilbert certainly strengthens the squad and can also play left back so no complaints.

 

[Mighty Shrimper]

Great signing; Hunty looked very dodgy at fullback on Saturday and i wouldnt have fancied Wilson at right back

I thought Hunt had a decent game against West Ham actualy. You wouldnt see Francis chasing back like Hunt did when Etherington was running down the left.

 

[SouthendersTrueFaith]

Taken from Vital Southend

From Arsenal fan...

Quote

"He is a good player for you guys to have. I have been impressed whenever he has played at Arsenal & to be honest I think if you had asked most gooners at the start of last season who they would've preferred to keep out of him & Justin Hoyte around 85% would've said Gilbert. However he had some sort of issues last season & clearly will never now make it at Arsenal with the amount of right backs we have, but he will be a top player!! Good luck for the coming season!!" Ashburton Gooner

:):)

 

[loz]

wow. didn't expect this in a million years, hope all the people complaining about our lack of ambition have noticed... top work T and B.

 

[Stats]

Superb loan signing, we've lacked a full back with pace for quite some time, last season we got roasted frequently like this.

Saw him play for Cardiff a couple of times last season and was impressed. Him and JCR down the right flank, that will be some combo both lightening quick and not scared to put the work in off the ball.

Thing that bugs me about this is why can Tilson bring in a player of that quality into a league one side but last year we got the old ''I cant get any players in'' whilst in the champ?

We are in the perfect location to forge some links with a London club and get some of their young talent on loan, perhaps this maybe the first of a few coming down from the emirates? Well I'd certainly plug it if I was the gaffer.

 

[Pubey]

sounds class.. remember him clearly for cardiff last season and was impressed. with francis out this means we have a top replacement and probably relieves the pressure on TnB to rush Francis back, which is another ankle problem for him is the last thing you want to do. give him decent chance to strengthen it up and it leaves hunt as a decent player on the bench as cover for all defensive positions.

starting squad for orient?:

flavs

gilbert
barrett
clarke
hammell

gower
macca
maher
black(?)

macdonald(?)
harrold(?)

subs:
collis
hunt
jcr
moussa/bailey
paynter


more than happy with that team to be honest!

 

[Pubey]

Superb loan signing, we've lacked a full back with pace for quite some time, last season we got roasted frequently like this.

Saw him play for Cardiff a couple of times last season and was impressed. Him and JCR down the right flank, that will be some combo both lightening quick and not scared to put the work in off the ball.

Thing that bugs me about this is why can Tilson bring in a player of that quality into a league one side but last year we got the old ''I cant get any players in'' whilst in the champ?

We are in the perfect location to forge some links with a London club and get some of their young talent on loan, perhaps this maybe the first of a few coming down from the emirates? Well I'd certainly plug it if I was the gaffer.

i think to be honest in just one season we have seen a complete reversal on tillys stance with regards to loan signings. to be honest im not the biggest fan but when looking for a squad player or a youngster, or in this case a decent player to fill in due to an injury then you'll have to get the cheque book out and pay some wages for that talent. arsenal probably don't really need the grand a week or whatever we'll pay but a decent start this season is worth a whole lot more and i'm much more comfortable with the idea of gilbert there and hunt on the bench

 

[Tilly hates yellow boots]

I think Tilson will start with JCR to be honest, i think he will go for Paynter and Macondald.

 

[Beefy]

I think Tilson will start with JCR to be honest, i think he will go for Paynter and Macondald.

I think you're right about JCR (if he's fit) but I'd be surprised if Harrold doesn't start upfront with one of MacDonald, Paynter or Hooper.

 

[Maldon Blues]

On the subject of strikers...what's that Lee Barnard chap from Spurs upto nowadays?