Thank you Paul Sturrock

[USAShrimper]

As a fan of the Shrimpers for the last 40 years, I've experienced the highs and lows of my club.
Now seems like an appropriate time to say a big thank you to Paul Sturrock for all he has done for Southend this season. If you see how teams like Lincoln and Northampton have struggled this season, what you have accomplished since the start of the season is remarkable.

I am and always will be a big Tilly fan. I cant imagine a less experienced manager stepping into such a difficult situation and quietly and confidently going about his job.

I'm not sure how long you will stay at Southend and if truth be told I'm sure you would be prefer to be at another club, one with less drama and restraints.

However, in my book you will go down as one of the most important managers in Blues history. The right man at a critical time.


THANKS PAUL.

 

[ibwiajwa]

I'll second that. Great job, Paul. Getting from four players on the books and virtually no money to a mid table finish was brilliant. Finding players like Barker, Mohsni, Hall, Corr, Easton, Morris, Clohessy and Coughlan and persuading them to play for us when we were a pariah in the league, not to mention the promotion of Ferdinand, the rehabiliation of Sawyer and the inclusion of your son. You are greatly appreciated by the vast majority of the fans.

 

[canveyshrimper]

While I'm sure I'll never be a fan of Sturrock it would be churlish not to acknowledge the fact that he's a least steered us to safety. In the wake of Tilly's sacking we had in the region of 4 full time players, a Football League embargo and no financial pot to **** in. I said back then that under the circumstances I'd settle for 22nd if only to preserve our league status.

There's no doubt that Sturrock is a good manager and knows this level well, and I hope we can push on next season. However I doubt if he'll have any money to spend so it will be back to his contacts book and using his powers of persuasion to get players in.

 

[Beardoblue]

Well Im a big Sturrock fan never really got the Tilson worship thing (Ducks below parapet) I like the way he quickly changes formation if things are going wrong on the pitch and the way he doesnt seem to have any players with a god given right to play. Yes we had some great times with Tilson but feel alot of that was down to Mark Gower and Freddy Eastwood. Before I get berated for the fact Tilson found Eastwood he actually didnt the manager at Grays had to virtually force Tilson to take a look at Eastwood and after the first reserve match he played in Tilson was not very impressed thought he was not the right sort of player for us. Also like the way Sturrock doesnt try to make excuses for a poor performance no rub of the greens or played their socks off if they were bad he says so. So big thank you Paul Sturrock feel we could be going out of the league without you.

 

[Mick]

Well Im a big Sturrock fan never really got the Tilson worship thing (Ducks below parapet) I like the way he quickly changes formation if things are going wrong on the pitch and the way he doesnt seem to have any players with a god given right to play. Yes we had some great times with Tilson but feel alot of that was down to Mark Gower and Freddy Eastwood. Before I get berated for the fact Tilson found Eastwood he actually didnt the manager at Grays had to virtually force Tilson to take a look at Eastwood and after the first reserve match he played in Tilson was not very impressed thought he was not the right sort of player for us. Also like the way Sturrock doesnt try to make excuses for a poor performance no rub of the greens or played their socks off if they were bad he says so. So big thank you Paul Sturrock feel we could be going out of the league without you.

Well, just the one maybe.

Sturrock has done a decent job in difficult circumstances. The 'having no players' cuts both ways; it means he doesn't inherit half a squad's worth of baggage and he can go his own way. He has benefited from the abject quality of this division, this year. Look at the 11 teams that are going to finish below us and there is an awful lot of dross.

Fair play to him though, he assembled a team which, without being good, was not as bad as eleven of the others.

It would be nice if the praise could be given without chipping away at the reputation of the shabbily treated Tilson on the basis of unsubstantiated speculation, rumour, half truth or downright lie.

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Yep a job well done. Thank you to Blair too for his 6 goals this season.

 

[DTS]

Gutted when Tilly went and never wanted him to go.

However PS has done I think a fantastic job. Delighted with his signings on the whole and I really feel that with him at the helm were in good hands. I think we have as good a manager as were ever going to get and as a result I'm for the first time in a good few years feeling confident about the new season.

Well done Paul

 

[CHEMICO FC]

I think Paul done very well with the new sqaud of players he brought in on a very tight budget.Must have alot of conntacts in the game,not maney managers could do this in one season.I would put him in the top 4 managers of southends history,with Dave Smith and Steve Tilson and Brushy and Dave Webb how could i forget him?.:footballer:

 

[Cricko]

I think paul done very well with the new sqaud of players he brought in on a very tight budget.Must have alot of conntacts in the game,not maney managers could do this in one season.I wou;d put him in the top 3 managers of southends history,with Dave Smith and Steve Tilson and Brushy.:footballer:

Blimey now there is an overstatement if ever I heard one.

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

I'll add my thanks as well. I loved Steve Tilson, who will always be remembered more for the success and achievements he brought (Cardiff Finals, Promotions, Man U, Chelsea etc), than for his failings. So, to follow a legend like that was already a mountain to climb, before he even started. Then, when one considers the time scale in which he had to build a side and the resources (or lack of) that he had, his achievement is impressive.
There is a warning there though. Next season, much of the sympathy he merited this year, due to the difficult circumstances in which he took over the managership, won't exist and fans, fickle as they are, will want to see progress. Much will depend on who he can attract to the club with the limited resources he will have. I do have a quiet confidence in PS and whether or not rumours are true about bringing in Karl Duguid............if there is one person who could bring that individual in and integrate him into both club and supporters..............I think it's PS. Good luck to him for next season.....he's certainly going to need it!

 

[Uncle Leo]

I would put him in the top 3 managers of southends history,with Dave Smith and Steve Tilson and Brushy.:footballer:

David Webb? :stunned:

 

[Napster]

David Webb? :stunned:

which is a good link to this which was on facebook earlier today:

Leo RogetBen Abbey
‎"This ain't the Fu**ing Ben Abbey show, your in last chance saloon son, sometimes when I look at you I think you premier league the next minute I think you wouldn't get in Canvey Reserves"
11 hours ago via iPhone · LikeUnlike ·

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David Lee likes this.
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Kevin Maher haha...classic webby!!
11 hours ago · LikeUnlike
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Ben Abbey Classic, those words have haunted me ever since...haha. What's going in mr roget?
11 hours ago · LikeUnlike
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David McSweeney Hahaha, quality!
11 hours ago · Like

 

[Beefy]

Gutted when Tilly went and never wanted him to go.

However PS has done I think a fantastic job. Delighted with his signings on the whole and I really feel that with him at the helm were in good hands. I think we have as good a manager as were ever going to get and as a result I'm for the first time in a good few years feeling confident about the new season.

Well done Paul

What he said.

 

[Angell Delight]

It would be nice if the praise could be given without chipping away at the reputation of the shabbily treated Tilson on the basis of unsubstantiated speculation, rumour, half truth or downright lie.

Agree. Tilson was and is a legend and I'm quite sure he'll be back one day.

Sturrock is well on the way to becoming a legend at this club too, what he has done so far has been fantastic under the circumstances and IMHO we have one of the very best managers in League Two. I feel confident next season will be a good one. :smiles:

 

[fbm]

Well, just the one maybe.
Sturrock has done a decent job in difficult circumstances. The 'having no players' cuts both ways; it means he doesn't inherit half a squad's worth of baggage and he can go his own way. He has benefited from the abject quality of this division, this year. Look at the 11 teams that are going to finish below us and there is an awful lot of dross.

Fair play to him though, he assembled a team which, without being good, was not as bad as eleven of the others.

It would be nice if the praise could be given without chipping away at the reputation of the shabbily treated Tilson on the basis of unsubstantiated speculation, rumour, half truth or downright lie.

Which player would that be Mick?

:whistling:

My definition of players having a god given right to play indicate that they are on the teamsheet regardless of form and are only subbed when injured.

I don't think Sturrock has given ANY player that status, even the captain.

 

[james_c]

Well Im a big Sturrock fan never really got the Tilson worship thing (Ducks below parapet) I like the way he quickly changes formation if things are going wrong on the pitch and the way he doesnt seem to have any players with a god given right to play. Yes we had some great times with Tilson but feel alot of that was down to Mark Gower and Freddy Eastwood. Before I get berated for the fact Tilson found Eastwood he actually didnt the manager at Grays had to virtually force Tilson to take a look at Eastwood and after the first reserve match he played in Tilson was not very impressed thought he was not the right sort of player for us. Also like the way Sturrock doesnt try to make excuses for a poor performance no rub of the greens or played their socks off if they were bad he says so. So big thank you Paul Sturrock feel we could be going out of the league without you.

i like sturrock hes done brilliant but i think he makes more excuses than arsene wenger let alone than tilly. things like need to gel didnt have a full preseason .at burton away saying we could only train for 3 days cause of the weather. theres just a few examples.

 

[Bromley Blue]

i like sturrock hes done brilliant but i think he makes more excuses than arsene wenger let alone than tilly. things like need to gel didnt have a full preseason .at burton away saying we could only train for 3 days cause of the weather. theres just a few examples.

I'd actually say in those examples they are valid reasons that could certainly have contributed to poor performances.

 

[CAPTAIN BIRDSEYE]

Oh dear oh dear. Middle table in the basement div
Yep he has done well hasnt he

 

[Gremlin]

Oh dear oh dear. Middle table in the basement div
Yep he has done well hasnt he

Ever heard of context?

 

[southendkid]

Oh dear oh dear. Middle table in the basement div
Yep he has done well hasnt he

Remember how at the start of the season everyone thought we would be relegated? We looked like we were getting in the play offs at one point, how is that failure? Rome wasn't built in a day.