Pre-Season Results
Southend 0-1 Southend Reserves
Southend 1-2 Reading (Home)
Southend 1-0 Histon (Away)
Southend 1-0 Bournemouth (Home)
Southend 0-1 Macclesfield (Away)
Southend 0-4 Wolves (Home)
Managers View: "Pretty decent pre season, the only disappointment was the finishing lesson we was given by Wolves.
Saturday 8th August 2009
Match Report: "Here at Roots Hall, we have the first league game of the season between Southend United and Huddersfield Town. A big crowd is expected for today's match which sees new Southend Boss Rob Jones, take charge of his first ever professional game as manager.
The game finished all square at 1-1. The first half didn't have much to get the supporters excited about, and it wasn't until the second half where Huddersfield took charge. Despite some last ditch defending Southend, Huddersfield finally took the lead on 76 minutes through Arsenal loanee; Nacer Barazite. This goal brought the Southend fans alive and they rallied the team on to an equaliser that came late on in the 83rd minute. Another debut goal was scored, this time a header at the back post by Michael Rose. Both sides had chances late on in the game to win it, but neither could take their chances and grab the winner.
Managers View: "I was pleased with the way that the lads defended today. We were solid through out and deserved the point we got. The fans played their part today in that they encouraged us right from the kick off and got behind the boys in what paid off as we grabbed a late equaliser through Rosey".
Tuesday 11th August 2009
Match Report: "Tonight's League Cup game between Southend and Barnet gives both sides a chance at a cup run, which both sides will be wanting to make the most of.
An emphatic win for Southend, and a memorable night for Stuart O'Keefe, who netted a hat-trick. The 18 year old got the game under way with a smart finish in the first minute of the game. He then doubled his and Southend's tally 21st minute, by placing the ball in the top right hand corner of the goal. Lee Barnard then secured the win just before half time, with a simple tap in at the back post. Early in the second half, O'Keefe then completed his hatrick by blasting the ball straight down the middle from the penalty spot, after Barnard had been brought down. Southend did have late chances to make the margin of victory greater but failed to convert this chances.
Managers View: "I am delighted with the way that Stu took his goals, the only bad thing to his performance is that he is now in the limelight and that bigger may start circling. However, I am not going to let that take away the shine off what has been a fantastic performance from one of the young lads".
Saturday 15th August 2009
Match Report: "The Bescott Stadium welcomes Southend United today, who comfortably beat Barnet in the League Cup First Round to book a place in the next round.
Another victory Southend making it two in four days. Todays victory included a bullet header from centre half, Jean Yves M'voto, who celebrated in front of the travelling Shrimpers supporters. The win was sealed 6 minutes before the final whistle, where poor Walsall defending led to Francis Laurent running on to a back pass and guiding the ball past the helpless Clayton Ince.
Manager View: "We worked really hard today and fully deserved 3 points. We dominated the game from the first whistle to the last, and I hope we can continue this form going into the next game against Wycombe".
News: Just before today's game, Southend were drawn away to Middlesbrough in the League Cup Second Round.
Tuesday 18th August 2009
Match Report: "Southend face there second away game in four days away at Wycombe Wanderers today, hoping to build on the three points they secured against Walsall on Saturday.
A 0-0 stalemate was played out here today, with neither side taking the chances that they had. Wycombe had a penalty shout turned down as Matt Phillips was tripped by Johnny Herd. Wycombe had the best of the possession overall, and made the most of the 4-3-3 formation they played, particularly using the two wide men, however Southend's resilient defence showed through again as they defended superbly to prevent themselves from going a goal down. Southend did have their fair share of chances aswell but were very poor in front of goal.
Manager View: "I am a little bit disappointed that we didn't finish a few of the chances that we had, but we have another clean sheet under our belt, another point on the board, and an unbeaten league record to be proud of.
Friday 21st August 2009
Match Report: "Friday night Football brings us a clash between promotion hopefuls Southend and Millwall.
Jean Francois Christophe got Southend off to a cracking start after 8 minutes with a bullet header at the near post to give Southend the lead. The rest of the first half remained fairly equal with both sides creating chances. 3 minutes into the second half, highly-rated striker Victor Moses, on loan from Crystal Palace, showed what he was about as he turned a defender played a neat one-two and smashed the ball into the top left hand corner, leaving Steve Mildenhall and the rest of the Southend faithful, stunned!
Millwall continued to press and got their rewards as in the 76th minuted Ashley Grimes beat Adam Barrett in the air to head the ball past Mildenhall, and complete Millwall's comeback putting them in the lead at, 2-1.
Manager View: "Defensively we were a bit weak today, but we have played 3 games in 6 days so I am pleased that we have come away with 4 points from the possible 9. We now have the cup game against 'Boro to look forward to and hopefully give the fans something to cheer about".
Tuesday 25th August 2009
Match Report: "Here at the Riverside today we have a League Cup Second round contest between Middlesbrough and Southend United. Southend beat Barnet to get this far, and 'Boro play their first game in the competition this season.
Another fantastic display at the back from Southend kept the game at 0-0. Despite not producing many chances themselves, Southend, seemed good money to nick a goal and win the tie. However their back line was broken late on. In the 84th minute they were caught out by a poor pass from midfielder Alan McCormack. McCormack's pass was picked up by Digard who played a ball out to Aliadiere. His cross proved crucial as it floated in the air over Barrett's head only to find Gary O'Neil at the back post who nodded the ball past an in-form Ian Joyce. Southend, to their credit nearly got themselves back into the tie, late in injury time, as Damien Scannell was released down the right. Scannell put a low cross in across the goal mouth; Dougie Freedman stuck a boot out, but the ball flashed just wide of the far post. Southend, unlucky to win this game are out of the competition, thanks to a neat header from Gary O'Neil.
Manager View: "I cannot fault the lads for today's effort. We worked extremely hard for each other, and to be perfectly honest, I think we deserve to be in the next round and not 'Boro. But that's football, if you don't take your chances, you cannot expect to win a game of Football.
Saturday 29th August 2009
Match Report: "The Country Ground today welcomes Southend United, who will be looking for a victory in response to the mid-week cup exit to Middlesbrough.
Another league disappointment for Southend, who went down to a 1-0 defeat against Swindon today. The only goal of the game came just before half time when Ben Hutchinson was played in by former Shrimper, Billy Paynter. Hutchinson dinked the ball over the keeper Mildenhall, which ended up being the only real clear cut chance, in a game that proved to be very poor for the neutral.
Manager View: "Again our lack of quality in front of goal showed today, as we had one or two chances that could of gone in, but we didn't show enough confidence to gamble and go for it".
Interviewer: From your answer, it looks as though you are disappointed by your strikers return. Does this mean you may be in the market for another striker to bolster your front line?
"I am not going to hide the fact that we're not scoring, its obvious to see. But funds are tight here and I am not going to simply go and buy or loan somebody I know nothing about. I am always interested in signing up new talent, so my men are out there all the time looking for a gem. If something comes up, then we may consider the matter. But I am in no position at the moment to comment on new players signing for the club".
Transfer Market Round Up
Through out the current transfer window Southend completed the signings of 4 players.
First to arrive at the Club was Michael Rose.
Rose arrived on a free transfer from Stockport County and opened his goal scoring account with a debut goal against Huddersfield.
Next to arrive was experienced midfielder David Prutton.
Prutton also arrived on a free transfer, from Leeds Untied.
Manager View: "I am delighted to be able to bring somebody of David's stature to the club, and I hope that he can bring us some success and prove a hit with the supporters.
Arriving at the club was next, was ex-Birmingham City utility man Olivier Tebily.
He came in on a free agent and was described by Rob Jones as; "A perfect utility man, that can be relied on".
Finally, arriving on deadline day, in a hope to eradicate the goal scoring crisis, was Portsmouth Striker Danijel Subotic.
League Table for August:
Manager View on Month overall: "I am pleased with the way that the month started with the point against Huddersfield and the victory away at Walsall. I was a little disappointed with the second half performance at home against Milwall and the overall performance at Swindon. However, we are working hard to eradicate those lack of performances by working hard in training and bonding sessions; getting to know each other a bit better. In terms of the signings we have made, I feel they will all benefit the club in some way. My first month as manager as Southend has been an enjoyable one, and I hope that there are many more to come.
Managers Player of the Month: "My player of the month this month goes to Osei Sankofa.
Osei worked hard in training this month, which reflected his performances. He was asked to play a slightly different role this month; in midfield. Which is different to his preferred defensive position. However he stepped up to the level and put in some good quality performances.
Come on you Shrimpers!