FORMER Blues favourite Leo Roget will be hoping to see Chris Powell put the boot into Oxford United this weekend.

Roget cleaned the boots of the now Shrimpers boss when coming through the ranks at Roots Hall.

And the former centre-back is certain Powell will continue to get the best out of Blues.

“I’ve always looked out for Southend’s results but I do even more now the guy whose boots I used to clean is now the manager,” laughed Roget.

“I would clean Powelly’s boots and Andy Ansah’s as well and when Powelly was at Charlton he played with my best mate Jonathan Fortune as well as Jason Euell.

“At the end of every season we would all go to New York so I’ve always followed what Powelly’s done.

“When he got the Southend job I thought it was perfect.

“I don’t know what his resources are like compared to the other teams in the division but I’m sure he will do all he can with what he’s got. I wish him really well and I’m pleased things have picked up after a wobbly start to the season.”

Roget - who made 149 appearances while with the Shrimpers - could be back at Roots Hall to watch the game between two of his former clubs tomorrow.

And Roget believes he was at his happiest when with the Shrimpers.

“There were ups and downs but I would say the best times I had in football were at the start with Southend,” said the defender, who now works as a personal trainer.

“I was playing in the Championship when I was 18 and if somebody did that now it would be seen as really special.

“But my friends often like to remind me that after my first full game I played for Southend we went eighth in the Championship and that was as good as it ever got for me!”

Roget went on to line-up for Stockport County and Brentford before joining Oxford in 2004, where he eventually retired.

“The worst period of my career was with Oxford and that’s when I decided I didn’t want to play anymore,” said Roget.

“I was 28 when I retired, which was sad, but I didn’t just want to carry on and rob a club of x amount of money.”

However, Roget has now fallen back in love with the game.

“I’m a fan again now and if I’m at the game on Saturday I’ll be a proper Blues fan, kicking every ball,” said Roget.

“I know it’s against Oxford but Southend is where my heart lies.”

l The full interview can be heard on next week’s Have I Got Blues For You podcast.