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Updated: Five out in Blues cull
4:16pm Monday 19th May 2008
Comments (37)BLUES boss Steve Tilson has released five players following Friday night's play-off disappointment at Doncaster Rovers.
Tilson has not offered new terms to long-serving midfielder Kevin Maher, full back Che Wilson, defen-der Lewis Hunt, winger Tommy Black or goalkeeper Steve Collis.
And their futures will now lie away from Roots Hall.
"I met the players face to face yesterday to discuss their futures and we wish them all the very best for the future," said Tilson, 41, who has signed striker James Walker on a permanent basis.
"I explained my decisions and unfortunately it's something you have to do in football."
Maher's departure signals an end of an era after he made more than 450 appearances for the club during his 10 seasons with the Shrimpers.
The midfielder captained the side to successive promotions, as well as two LDV Vans Trophy finals and victory over Manchester United in the Carling Cup.
But he fell out of favour midway through last season and ended the campaign on loan at Gillingham.
"Kev has been a tremendous and loyal servant for us," said Tilson.
"We've had Alan McCormack and Nicky Bailey play really well for us this season though and we have Franck Moussa coming through too which is why we've allowed Kev to go."
Wilson and Hunt also played a part in the promotions in 2005 and 2006 as the side worked their way into the Championship and the duo earned praise from Tilson.
"Che's just a fantastic professional," he said. "He's a credit to himself and the game but I just think he needs to go out and get games now.
"Hunty has been with me from day one too and he is another one who needs matches."
Black has left the club after just one season at Roots Hall. He played 45 times but was unlikely to figure as regularly next year, while Collis departs after two years which were largely spent as an understudy to Darryl Flahavan "I just didn't feel that Tommy would be first choice for us anymore," explained Tilson. "And Steve is 27 now. At that age he needs to establish himself as first choice and I'm sure he will do that somewhere."
Tilson has offered full-back Simon Francis a new contract despite having a year left on his current deal. He joins goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan and midfielders Mark Gower, Alan McCormack and Nicky Bailey in being handed a fresh terms.
But Tilson denied that he had made contact with Aberdeen concerning striker Richie Foran, who has been linked to the Scottish Premier League side.
Your Say YourEcho
David Saville, Nottingham says...
9:12pm Mon 19 May 08
Disagree about Walker though, I think he links up play well, and is more of a support striker. As for Harrold, he must be too expensive to release.
For me, the most important issue is the defence. We conceeded too many goals last season. Obviously we need a left back (two now wilson has gone), plus a quick centre back. One of Clarke or Barrett will have to make way next season if we are to be successful. They have been together for two seasons now, and have proved that they are both far too similar. When teams play long balls(the majority of league one sides), they are fine, and can deal with that all day long. As soon as they play against strikers with skill and pace (eg Coppinger, Tyson, Beckford etc) they are left exposed. Also some good natural wingers. Tilson prefers playing 4-4-2 with wingers, yet we have never seem to have one who plays like a winger.
Russ, southend says...
9:50pm Mon 19 May 08
leeroy, says...
11:15pm Mon 19 May 08
For me I would play Barnard up front on his own with wingers (Gower being one) plus Bailey supporting him. I would then play McCormack and another in holding roles, also allowing the full backs to get forward more often. Any other ideas?
Sean Sweeney, SOUTHEND! says...
1:13am Tue 20 May 08
to be honest i think we should have kept lewis hunt.:) we do need new players tho..
i hear from around the ground whispers of eastwood back due to him being surplus to requirements at wolves..
it would be awesome to see him back BUT we need to move on, get a few west ham/arsenal/spurs reserves or youth lets face ti they have remarkable talent :) tilson is a legendary manager but i will say one thing about him, he hasnt done to well in the transfer market recently...come on steve!
btw...WHAT AN ATMOSPHERE ON FRIDAY!!! im on the southend united website...im the **** with no top on! lool x
Dan, North Leigh says...
9:25am Tue 20 May 08
Shrimper-Boy, East Black says...
10:30am Tue 20 May 08
I heard Eastwood was seen at The Hall just before the Donnie thrashing, so not so sure he would come back now we are still in div 1, but i can only hope of seeing Super Freddy back!!!!
Whats the way forward for Tilly??? old experianced players, or young raw trainees????
Adamski, Chelmsford says...
10:40am Tue 20 May 08
Barnard- Been our best striker this year even though he only joined in january!? Came very close to being our top scorer for the whole season!?
Moussa- a young lad with potential who has just signed a new deal!?
Revell- a striker who has been injured since he joined and cost us upwards of 100k in january!?
Hooper- a young striker who scored bucket loads when out of loan and may well come good yet?!
And even Macdonald i would question as he hasn't really been given the game time and may be useful to have as a back up striker.
The only one i would agree with would be Harrold who im sure we all agree just doesn't cut the mustard!
Up the Shrimpers!
Simon, Bicknacre says...
11:36am Tue 20 May 08
I trust that we'r either extending the laon agreement with Wolves for Mulgrew or we have some plan for a cover. Please don't be like last season where it took us until January to sort out cover for sold players (Eastwood/Barnard). Maybe Zoltan will get a chance to cover when either Clarke or Barrett are injured or in need of rest.
We've had a great season, with a poor end - ran out of steam 4 or 5 games short of the finishing post.
Let's strengthen a good team, and press for honours next season utb.
Shrimper-Boy, East Black says...
11:54am Tue 20 May 08
I have got nothing against these players i'm sure their all good lads, BUT, honestly ask yourself, are these players good enough to take us to were we want to be???, from what i saw from the East Black NO!! I appreciate the financial constrants that Tilly must have, but the clubs ambition must be to grow, and we can only do that with real quaility.
Dave, essex says...
12:05pm Tue 20 May 08
Shrimper-Boy wrote:Oh dear.. oh dear.. oh dear.. jog on you moaning sad over the top cheese! please please bite!
Unfortunately Adamski, YES i am being serious. I have got nothing against these players i'm sure their all good lads, BUT, honestly ask yourself, are these players good enough to take us to were we want to be???, from what i saw from the East Black NO!! I appreciate the financial constrants that Tilly must have, but the clubs ambition must be to grow, and we can only do that with real quaility.
dave, essex says...
12:13pm Tue 20 May 08
Jog on Shrimper-Boy, who do you want us to sign, Torres?, Scholes? Barrnard not good enough! Just what on earth you been watching in your seat! Must have something in your eyes!
David S, Notts says...
12:18pm Tue 20 May 08
leeroy wrote:Although I take your point, I dont think you will find many league one clubs playing with holding midfielders. I totally agree that McCormack and Bailey were awful during both legs, but when it comes to conceeding goals, yes, the Midfield does have a duty, but the buck stops with the Defence, and to some extent the keeper. Where a team are conceeding goals left, right and centre, you dont hear people criticing the midfield, claiming the team needs a new midfield.
David Saville, Im afraid I totally disagree about your comments regarding Clarke and Barrett. What I think you should be saying is that we should be defending as a team. For example Coppinger was coming from deep with none of our midfielders getting anywhere near him. Too often does the defence get left exposed. Look at the goal at Tranmere as another example, Bailey and McCormack arguing about who was marking their midefield runner. Also I'm afraid I can't remember many occasions when the boys at the back have been caught with pace?? Finally look at all the top teams now all over the world, they have a holding midfielder protecting the back four against tricky through balls or long range shots. Time and time again I've seen Clarke and Barrett having to do 2 jobs.
For me I would play Barnard up front on his own with wingers (Gower being one) plus Bailey supporting him. I would then play McCormack and another in holding roles, also allowing the full backs to get forward more often. Any other ideas?
Johnny Herd, S-O-S says...
12:23pm Tue 20 May 08
Adamski, chelmsford says...
12:27pm Tue 20 May 08
If someone came in and offered good money for Hooper etc, then depending on the money and Tilly and Brush, who know considerably more than us, assessing them then thats a totally different ball game.
Simply I feel that to replace the players mentioned with better players will take alot of money which we simply don't have and also I feel that these players are more then capable of getting us up next time. Of course dont get me wrong the squad could do with some reinforcements in places but the notion to release all those players is simply crazy!
Further to Simon's point, i also hope that there is a deal in place for Mulgrew eiher permanant or loan as he is another young lad who is a good quality player!
Lets hope the transfer targets gte identified and signed up quick so they can get a decent pre-season under there belts and we can make a good start next season and continue the job the whole way!
Up the Shrimpers!
James Leadbetter, Brentwood says...
12:52pm Tue 20 May 08
Crazy!!!
Joe, Leigh says...
12:52pm Tue 20 May 08
Russ, southend says...
1:33pm Tue 20 May 08
Shrimper-Boy, East-Black says...
2:03pm Tue 20 May 08
Shrimper-Boy, East Black says...
3:05pm Tue 20 May 08
I see you have failed to answer my question, do you really think the players listed are good enough to take us up???
When Fergie had Giggs and Van Nistord , do you think he sat back and thought, Thats it!!!
NO he went out and bought better quaility players, Ronaldo and Rooney to up grade his squad.
To me if you think the players listed are good enough, you must be happy watching div 2 football, try having some real ambition and thinking big?? Or ten years on do you still want to be sitting in the West with 5x toilets between 4000 people???.
Dave, essex says...
3:49pm Tue 20 May 08
Shrimper-Boy wrote:Oh dear. you really do need some help! Season has just ended for us, and we have no idea who we are going to sign yet.
Dave/James I see you have failed to answer my question, do you really think the players listed are good enough to take us up??? When Fergie had Giggs and Van Nistord , do you think he sat back and thought, Thats it!!! NO he went out and bought better quaility players, Ronaldo and Rooney to up grade his squad. To me if you think the players listed are good enough, you must be happy watching div 2 football, try having some real ambition and thinking big?? Or ten years on do you still want to be sitting in the West with 5x toilets between 4000 people???.
However seeing that black has been shown the door and Maher, that probably means that Tilly will be bringing in better players than these.
Im sure Tilson would love to go out and buy better players, however we are not Manchester United. So your point there is totally flawed.
I for one think you are a joke fan if you think we should get rid of Barrnard, he turned our season round, so thats not good enough for you i gather??
Next up, the other night in Doncaster showed what great Support Southend United has and made me proud to be a Shrimper.
We almost went back up first attempt and thats a good season in my book. Seeing as what happend last time we was relegated from the championship.
So stop moaning and back your team, our team with about 4 new additions will be good enough to challenge next season. Who has even stated we wont be signing new players. Youre a keyboard warrior and you know it!
Jonathan, says...
10:05pm Tue 20 May 08
There is no way on earth we chould get rid of Barnard, by far the best up-front we had at the end of the season.
Walker on the other hand, he's at most a 10 goal a season man, but unfortunately he's a get caught offside 10 times a match man.
He never looks down the line, something that is fairly easy to do!
Russ, Southend says...
11:03pm Tue 20 May 08
Dave, essex says...
12:24am Wed 21 May 08
Russ wrote:Lets hope not Bud.
Looks like gower might be on his way to swansea unfortunatly.
mike medcalf, shoebury says...
9:01am Wed 21 May 08
Nigel, says...
10:00am Wed 21 May 08
Charlie Macdonald must be behind him in the pecking order as he has not proved that he has what it takes in league football, whereas Hooper has, at least in League 2.
As for Eastwood returning, there is no chance. Not only can we not afford the likely fee, which must be at least £500K, but he did not perform at all in 2006/7 after THAT GOAL against Man U.
I am sad to see Maher go. He should obviously have featured in the playoff games where his calm authority was sorely missed.
Hope we sign at least 5 quality players to replace those going. If we are serious about promotion, we need a much larger squad.
Shrimper-Boy, East Black says...
10:56am Wed 21 May 08
Dave, after following the blues for over twenty years, being called a joke supporter has floored me. Hopefully Ill recover in time to be back in the East Black as ever supporting any player in an SUFC shirt, no worries!
Up The Shrimpers!!!
Bishmania, Haverhill, Suffolk says...
11:05am Wed 21 May 08
Sean Sweeney wrote:Hasn't done too well in the transfer market recently!??!?!?!?!?!
shame maher has gone init.. to be honest i think we should have kept lewis hunt.:) we do need new players tho.. i hear from around the ground whispers of eastwood back due to him being surplus to requirements at wolves.. it would be awesome to see him back BUT we need to move on, get a few west ham/arsenal/spurs reserves or youth lets face ti they have remarkable talent :) tilson is a legendary manager but i will say one thing about him, he hasnt done to well in the transfer market recently...come on steve! btw...WHAT AN ATMOSPHERE ON FRIDAY!!! im on the southend united website...im the **** with no top on! lool x
?!??!
The reason we even made the play offs was because of Tilly's shrewdness in the market,
Barnard, Kanu, Mulgrew, Walker all helped us move into the top six while there is more to come from the others, including Revell who can be a very useful foil when our passing football is off.
Tilly may have made mistakes buying Ricketts/Paynter, etc... but how anyone can accuse him of mistakes recently is ridiculous.
Here's to 08/09, UTB
Ad Hart, leigh says...
12:36pm Wed 21 May 08
Mulgrew looked good, I hope he stays. Walker looks like he may get better with age, hes only young, but for now isnt quite up to scratch for getting us promotion. A decent big man like Price from Doncaster would be good for us, Revell having said that is quite a big lad, can't judge him on this season's performances when hes been injured since he joined us, and he was highly rated at Brighton, so he deserves his chance.
I'm happy with the other players Tilly released - Hunt, Black, Wilson weren't really good enough to help us push on to the championship, and Collis probably wanted to move on himself to get games. Decent wingers would be appreciated!! Shame we had to lose Jamal really, he was a frustrating player but at times exactly what we need now.
I don't think we need to change all that much really - all about adding quality rather than quantity if we can get hold of the players
Joe, Leigh says...
3:10pm Wed 21 May 08
Dave S, Notts says...
3:54pm Wed 21 May 08
Dave wrote:This could be happening, Swansea have just let Andy Robinson join Leeds, so need a replacement. Im not bothered too much if he goes. He always goes missing come the big games.
Russ wrote:Lets hope not Bud.
Looks like gower might be on his way to swansea unfortunatly.
trueblue, south upper behind the goal says...
5:08pm Wed 21 May 08
Joe wrote:It's Maher, he's talking to them about going there permanantly
Gillingham are looking at a League 1 striker... Please let it be Harrold, Please let it be Harrold, Please let it be Harrold, Please let it be Harrold, Please let it be Harrold, Please let it be Harrold, Please let it be Harrold...
Adam Hart, leigh says...
11:09am Thu 22 May 08
Shrimper Boy, East Black says...
1:49pm Thu 22 May 08
Adam Hart wrote:I enjoyed watching that European Champion Ronaldo going missing at The Hall, it was great!!! Te He!!!!
Pretty sure you'd struggle to get an equivelant replacement for gower, im a big fan, he does often go missing in big big matches but so does christiano ronaldo, and he still completely destroys smaller teams. Obviously a bit of a reach comparing gower to ronaldo, but he is skilful and we should definitely retain anyone with that ability to twist and turn defenders. If we can better him great, in the mean time keep him for defo i say, one of the best players in our squad. He might well want to go though if swansea come knocking though... only a bbc sport gossip column rumour, so hopefully wont mean anything though, or we can get a big fee for him like 4-500k
Hope Gower stays, you cant blame a player for trying to move up, but like Eastwood at Wolves, I think he might struggle at the Swans.
If he does stay, I hope Tilly can get a big target man in for him, its a shame Leon Clarke didnt stay, as I think he was exactly the type of player, big and strong we needed for this league.
My worry is, with our current strike force, skill full as it is, seems easily muscled out of the game, think Donnie, think JJ Price single handily beating up Clarke & Barratt on his own.
I really rated Dean Morgan, but I think Tilly has come up trumps with Robson Kanu.
Russ, southend says...
3:05pm Thu 22 May 08
BluesBoy, South Upper says...
9:01pm Sun 25 May 08
but I think Tilly has come up trumps with Robson Kanu.But pound to a penny he wont be here next season
Barnet Shrimper, Barnet & Hockley says...
6:37pm Mon 26 May 08
Perhaps Tilson can explain ?
Steve Tilson
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John, orsett says...
6:45pm Mon 19 May 08
Walker has a permanent contract? what did he prove while he was with us I wonder - 6 goal a season man I'm afraid.
Collis has gone so we must get another 6' plus keeper as Flavs simply does not dominate his area despite being a brilliant shot-stopper.