Time for the summer clearout

[* ORM *]

Yesterday's game was a perfect demonstration that our squad is not big enough. Two or three players out and we struggled.

If we are serious about mounting a challenge next season we need to clear out some more dead wood.

We need to strengthen the defence - one centre half and left back should do it - saying bye bye to Wilson, Stuart and Cort (cue abuse - but I'm sorry Cort has to go. Ran ragged by a 4ft 2 forward yesterday a perfect demonstration).

In midfield we need to get another winger as cover for Gower. Bye bye Jenkins and Clark for starters. Jury out on Corbett. But what a fantastic competition for places we're going to have at the start of next season if Smith and Pettefer are both fit.

Up front we need another striker - Bye bye Connie (not necessarily by choice), Broughton and the jury is definitely out on Bramble.


I suspect Connie will be off.

 

[footymad13]

I got a funny feeling Connie will stay, he seems to like it here and he knows he might need another season bagging um in then he can have his big move.

 

[overseas shrimper]

Quote[/b] (footymad13 @ May 09 2004,09:41)]I got a funny feeling Connie will stay, he seems to like it here and he knows he might need another season bagging um in then he can have his big move.

If he does stay, we should put him on a 2 year deal so we can cash in if need be next summer.

 

[Barmy Army]

I don't really see Broughton leaving. He also seems to like it here, and most are agreed that he is better than Bramble. His high levels of effort are things that make me like him.

 

[petejan]

Cort should stay he works well when he has a talker beside him last season it was whelan this season he worked very well when warren was fit . At one point Warren was talking of retireing because of his injurys . I hope he stays our defence is much stronger with him in the side and he guides the younger players around him .

 

[Pato the Blue]

Keep-i my opinion
Cort
Corbett
Broughton
Connie (i think he will stay - somethin to prove)
Nicky Nic
bramble?

Out - in my opinion
clark
jenkins
WILSON
robinson
hunt back to derby
bramble?

In
New center half
New winger both flanks for cover
New striker possible depending on what happens.
New goalkeeper

Im still not sure over bramble - the talent is there when it wants to be. and that is wat is keeping him back at the mo.

 

[Barmy Army]

Keep Hunt, he looked good yesterday better than Cort at least. He looked comfortable on the ball, and if he isn't played on the wings he should do well next year.

 

[DTS]

Fail to see what getting rid of Cort or Hunt would achieve. Both are good defenders who give a 100% for the cause. Cort has in the past altough not this season weighed in with a few goals. Dont think theirs any point cutting players unless you are going to get better than them which in the case of the abive two I dont think you will.

Drewe is sh*t with a capital S and when he came on we changed from tidy fotball to long ball (Darlo style) . Che is the worst player ive ever seen. Clark Jenks etc I agree need to go.

DTS

 

[mighty_blues]

I think that Warren is playing he plays so well that he cover's Cort bacon sometimes. However when playing with Hunt he gets showed up more when defending on the floor. He must have the most un-predictable clearance. Still i would keep Cort for his heading ability.

 

[The 4th man]

Quote[/b] (mighty_blues @ May 09 2004,11:44)]I think that Warren is playing he plays so well that he cover's Cort bacon sometimes. However when playing with Hunt he gets showed up more when defending on the floor. He must have the most un-predictable clearance. Still i would keep Cort for his heading ability.

I thought that was the point of a central pairing , they cover each overs "faults" ??

also re the point early about the 4ft Turkey player against cort , emm i think you'll find most tall defenders have huge problems with nippy short arse players (if they tackle their ajudgded to be to heavy handed , if so soft they get through etc .)

 

[fbm]

How many times do we have to mention this bit?

BROUGHTON AND BRAMBLE ARE ON 2 YEAR DEALS SO WILL BE HERE ANYWAY!

The club cannot afford to pay them off so they may be listed but somehow I doubt it. There's no point at the moment - too many players in the market for nowt.

So, we know the following will definitely be here...

Dudfield
Bentley
Maher
Broughton
Jupp
Gower
Bramble
Husbands
Kightly
Pettefer
Smith

Of the rest, I think that contracts should be offered to the following;

One out of Stuart/Wilson/McSweeney and preferably Stuart for his coverage at centre back
Cort
Warren
Maher
Corbett
Nicolau
Hunt
Constantine
Flahavan


All others can go as far as I'm concerned.

 

[overseas shrimper]

Quote[/b] (fbm @ May 09 2004,15:49)]BROUGHTON AND BRAMBLE ARE ON 2 YEAR DEALS SO WILL BE HERE ANYWAY!

One example to prove that 2 year deals are not absolute guarantees for a player seeing the 2nd season: Emberson.

Having said that, I think they'll probably be here. Shame, I think Bramble is a waste of space... and Broughton offers something... but we can do better.

 

[Beefy]

Bramble isn't a waste of space. Far from it and if he moves on in the summer I'm sure that there will be no shortage of offers for him.

I have a feeling that yesterday was the last time Tes Bramble will play for Southend.

 

[fbm]

Quote[/b] (overseas shrimper @ May 09 2004,15:20)]

Quote[/b] (fbm @ May 09 2004,15:49)]BROUGHTON AND BRAMBLE ARE ON 2 YEAR DEALS SO WILL BE HERE ANYWAY!

One example to prove that 2 year deals are not absolute guarantees for a player seeing the 2nd season: Emberson.

Having said that, I think they'll probably be here. Shame, I think Bramble is a waste of space... and Broughton offers something... but we can do better.

But Emberson wasn't anywhere near the first team. Drewe and Tes, when fit, are.

 

[Fiftyone]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ May 09 2004,15:24)]Bramble isn't a waste of space. Far from it and if he moves on in the summer I'm sure that there will be no shortage of offers for him.

I have a feeling that yesterday was the last time Tes Bramble will play for Southend.

Who'll want him?..............Billericay, Braintree or Maldon?.

Frankly he'll be lucky if even they want him!!.

 

[fbm]

If Tes doesn't perform in the first 2 months of next year I reckon they'll transfer list him. The lad has got undoubted talent but there are non football related problems with him... he needs somone to bring the best out of him.

I reckon there will be plenty of people who would take the chance for £20K.

 

[ianbrown]

bramble is better than broughton no question! drewe is sh*t and does not have potential. bramble does, he is a good player. why do you like corbett and drewe so much but not bramble?! we wold never have scored our goal yesterday if it wernt for bramble. drewe would never have beaten a couple of players and shot on target!hes a waste of space!

 

[Guest]

I strongly disagree with the viewpoint that Drewe is sh*t. Some claim that a striker's sole aim is to score goals, to me that is tripe.

I don't agree that Drewe's inclusion in the team causes the defenders to hoof the ball up to him, at this level they tend to do that anyway when under pressure, yesterday was solid proof of that - our distribution from the back was dire. Having Drewe up there simply means the ball is less likely to come back.

For each of his last two competitive seasons IIRC, Drewe has partnered a striker who has subsequently netted 20+ goals (and Dudfield has also benefited). Question is, what did Bo Henriksen do this season? Nowt. Coincidence?

Finally, defensive set-pieces, Drewe does a superb job (Orient notwithstanding). Hands up who thinks we would have conceded that first goal if Drewe was marking Woods instead of Bramble? Thought not.

I don't think he is a football genius, his touch is poor and he needs to get more among the goals next season, although his goal tally has significantly improved under Tilson. But Bramble / Husbands better? Ridiculous, at least Drewe puts it in, and as the saying goes, if you put it in, you will eventually be rewarded.

As for the rest, Stuart should go, Wilson too (he may be a utility player but he is not up to standard). Leave the centre of midfield as it is with perhaps a youngster replacing Odunsi, and at least one first team winger needs to be signed. Clark and Jenkins may have to go, a shame as I like both players but both are short on confidence. IMO Nicolau looks no better but it looks as though he will be signed.

As for the defence, Cort (despite his ridiculous attempts to tackle Kuffour for their second yesterday) and Warren should stay in the heart of defence, with one more player brought in to cover and a right sided defender signed to cover for Jupp, who has tailed off badly in the last few games.

Tear up the contracts of Bramble and Husbands if possible and bring in a new striker.

 

[petejan]

points on BRAMBLE one he is lazy two he jumps for crosses far to early and doesnt conect 8 times out of10 three goes on runs up blind areas all in all he doesnt work with his team mates .

 

[BluePartridge]

I don't think Jenkins should go. I saw him at Boston he can really play football, and I think we should keep him as he does seem to have some passion.

Clark though, well I wish he could've lived up to his potential, but even I say he has to go now just weighing us down.