Tilson might know what he is doing...

[Crabby Shrimper]

If only he had lowered his sight's a tad he might have been a bit more sucsessfull and we wouldn't be down to bare bones so soon.

Or, more likely, had Steve lowered his sights a tad, we'd now have a forum full of fans complaining at sub standard signings, and panic buys. These signings would then, no doubt, lose confidence and before you know it we've the same scenario as with Paynter!

To be honest, yes, I wish we'd signed some cover, but surely it's better to get a temporary loan, than to waste money on someone who's not up to the job.

As for shifting out players like Luke, Che etc. Well, Che would've been lacking match fitness, so without the loan he'd probably have been sub standard had he been called upon (if we call him back after a month, at least he may be a bit more ready for first team action). As for Luke, well, yes, it's have been nice to keep him, and Jay, as cover, but if they were a disruptive influence in the dressing room, then they had to go.
Simple analogy for you. You've got serious gangrene in the left arm, do you:

a) amputate the arm to prevent the gangrene spreading
b) Keep the arm, just in case you sprain your right wrist

 

[Southampton Shrimper]

Fantastic post ACU, let's have more of that please!

You see, SZ isn't doomed after all!!!!

:D

 

[BARNETBLUE]

ACU, One of the best thought out posts on here for some time, hence I am making a rare response!...Ask yourself , how many clubs take the apparantly easy route and splash out money and wages on players who just don't cut it.They won't perform solely because they are a " big name " will they!
Look at the mess even big clubs like Leeds have got themselves into by just trying to buy successs.The size of the squad does worry me from time to time, and I think it is again looking particularly stretched now however.I think many of us do get frustrated by the painfully slow and difficult sagas we as a club seem to get involved in with transfers in general.Look at it this way tho' , its further testament to the clever and patient style of Tilson and Brush.Also with the the players we have sold or loaned out recently what the hell is the point in paying employees wages who are contributing nothing to an organisation and look unlikely to do so again.? So I think these decisions by and large were als right.The only one I feel some sympathy for is Wilson.

 

[thechampionship_isupsidedown]

The small squad, as proved in previous seasons when we've been at or near the top, can polarize/unite the players, backing up the comments that the entire playing staff are dedicated to the cause and that there's no "dead wood" to upset the apple cart.

The last few weeks have seen Tilly having to pick from a limited squad, and we've had our best run of the season. Coincidence?

Recent history of SUFC is very much about confidence levels (or lack thereof).

Remember last season:
8 games unbeaten between Aug 29th and Oct 9th.
8 games without a win between Nov 12th and Dec 26th, which overalpped with 13 games unbeaten between Dec 6th and Feb 10th.

We are on a confident run at the moment, and whatever you think about signings like Paynter, we need to back the team, especially against teams like QPR, so the run may continue....

...end of.... (only kidding!!)

 

[Elvis]

My view on getting players in, doesn't mean anyone who can wear the kit. When you go for established prem, or ccc players you know you are gonna pay money ( good money ) so why bother, look at good league one/two players who want the chance to play in a higher division, surely we have a better chance of picking up those players, I'd much rather kids with potential than nothing .

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

My view on getting players in, doesn't mean anyone who can wear the kit. When you go for established prem, or ccc players you know you are gonna pay money ( good money ) so why bother, look at good league one/two players who want the chance to play in a higher division, surely we have a better chance of picking up those players, I'd much rather kids with potential than nothing .

Excellent point.

Its going to be difficult to attract someone to the club when you can't offer them regular first team football - that's how we lost Mark Bentley. There are few first team openings at the moment, particularly in midfield where the squad has least cover. Up front, the lack of an established partner for Freddy meant we could attract Ricketts, Harrold, Paynter and Hooper. But in midfield Maher will never be dropped and McCormack is arguably our player of the season despite having joined in November(?). That means its going to be very difficult for a central midfielder to break into the first team, which means its going to be difficult to sign one.

 

[Pubey]

top posts all round!

 

[silentshrimper]

A very good post indeed, we need to build for the future, if one of hooper, paynter and harold come good in league one I will be pleased.

Seems to be though that new strikers are so quickly jumped on by us here at southend when they dont score goals, Im looking forward to the next few seasons and I hope we can keep the core squad.

 

[Benfleet Blue]

Agree with the majority of posts and am saddened by our inability to attract loan players when we really need them. We had a small squad yet sent out players on loan, depleting the squad even more.
My major disappointment is that we didn't try harder in January to get players in on loan to try and avoid relegation when all the clubs around were bringing loan players in.
I don't like the excuse that players won't come to us, we can't afford wages etc etc. This was a short term fix, simply January to May.
Relegation costs are far more severe if you consider we will lose at least an average of 3,000 on the crowd.
Simple maths = 3000 x say 28 home games x say £ 20 = £ 1,680,000

No signing at the time would have had to be permanent and all around us managed it.