Focus on Southend as part of build-up to new season
There’s just three days until the big kick-off for Wimbledon at home to Shrewsbury Town and we continue our countdown with a look at Southend United’s summer of change.
Phil Brown’s men will be aiming to find that extra edge that can push them towards promotion after a near-miss last season.
campaign.Wall of ColourSouthend are one of 72 clubs celebrating the start of 2014/15 with the Football League’s
Mark Phillips, Marc Laird, Bedsente Gomis, Seedy Njie, Anthony Straker, Freddy Eastwood.Players out:
Myles Weston, Lee Barnard, David Worrall, Shaquile Coulthirst, Mads Ibenfeldt, Cian Bolger, Isaac Layne.Players in:
52 milesDistance between two clubs:
Tuesday, 19 August (h), Tuesday, 3 March (h)When we meet:
5thFinishing position last season:
L WLast two results against the Dons:
Having come close to promotion last season with defeat in the play-off semi-finals to Burton Albion, Southend will be expecting to challenge again, particularly after a late flurry of transfer activity ahead of 2014/15.
The Shrimpers paid a fee to Bolton Wanderers to land highly-rated defender Cian Bolger (pictured), who had a previous loan spell at Roots Hall cut short due to injury. His acquisition will add strength in depth at the back with Mark Phillips having joined the Dons.
However, manager Phil Brown has been noticeably busy adding more firepower this summer. Following the departure of Southend favourite Freddy Eastwood and Anthony Straker’s decision to join York City, Brown has made the forward positions a priority. Ex-Southampton striker Lee Barnard, along with wingers Myles Weston and David Worrall, have all signed on the dotted line. Isaac Layne has been offered an opportunity at this level after impressing for Billericay Town and Tottenham striker Shaquile Coulthirst has also joined on loan.
Southend had a mid-season slump last season, which eventually cost them a crack at automatic promotion, but if their summer signings pay off then Brown will have a good chance of finally leading the club into League 1 after years of trying.