Source: FOOTYMAD
Coughlan: 'Really, really angry' at current Pilgrims plight
Plymouth Argyle: Southend United player/coach Graham Coughlan signed a two-year extention to his contract in the summer and is firmly an Essex boy following the four years he spent with weekend opponents Plymouth Argyle. Coughlan: 'Nothing's easy in life and this league (Two) most certainly isn't' Shrimpers player/coach Graham Coughlan is one of the ex-Plymouth Argyle club that's got quite a membership currently at Roots Hall, lead of course by the former boss at Home Park, the incomparable Paul Sturrock. Along with the vetaran defender and Luggy there is his son Blair, left-back Peter Gilbert, centre-back Chris Barker, full-back/midfielder Ryan Leonard and the striker Liam Dickinson, who was going to put pen to paper for the Pilgrims before decided not to sign 'for personal reasons'! And, as with the others, though he's upset that Plymouth have got themselves in such a mess, Shrimpers supporters certainly have plenty of sympathy with their Devon counterparts, it's all about three points on Saturday afternoon. Coughlan told www.thisisdevon.co.uk: "Anger, frustration and a real disgust for the situation doesn't begin to describe how I feel about the situation at Argyle. It took sweat, real hard work both on and off the pitch and a great team spirit to take Argyle to two championship-winning campaigns inside three seasons. And to see all that go to waste makes me really sad and without using a swear word – so really, really angry. In common with the gaffer (Sturrock) we're all hurting for Plymouth and desperate for them to stabilise their situation and get back on a level footing, financially and also in this league." Graham joined the Shrimpers when they were in a similar financial position, and knows more than most how tough it is to get out of a very deep hole you can find yourselves in when the money runs out. Coughlan said: "We (Southend) were in this kind of position last season, with a transfer embargo and money really tight. And with all of us here rolling up our sleeves and digging in, we've turned it around. But it's not been easy and you still can't take anything for granted. Nothing's easy in life and this league (Two) most certainly isn't. Anyone who thinks otherwise, ought to play in it (League Two) each week. The games are unforgiving – if you take your eye off the ball for one minute – you'll get brought down to earth with a bump. Plymouth are finding that out now, although they have so many disadvantages in their way at the moment for them, that succeeding is doubly difficult." Coughlan, now head of the reserve team as well as helping out Luggy on match days, oh and turn out for the odd game, explained how the coaching staff at United nowadays consisted of the two of them, and a physio Ben Clarkson! He explained; "Yes, if I had to fill out my job description on a form, I reckon it would go across a couple of boxes. We may not have many staff, but we've got a very tight team spirit going, in a way very similar to when I was down at Plymouth. Then, it was all for one and the manager (Sturrock) urging us on to go that extra yard – and we did. Times have changed, of course, but the gaffer is still making demands and some astute signings. For example, we picked up Liam (Dickinson) recently who'd been down at Plymouth. I spoke to Peter Reid and asked him what he made of Liam and he told me that in his opinion the lad would be a very good asset to the club. That was very good of Peter as he must have needed Liam's height and strength every bit as much as we do. And Chris Barker's been an absolute diamond. All these players with Plymouth links stir up some fantastic memories." The waiting continues: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk No progress for Plymouth: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk Deal still hopeful: www.teamtalk.com No pay today: www.teamtalk.com The Coughlan Files Personal information Full name Graham Coughlan Date of birth 18 November 1974 (1974-11-18) (age 36) Place of birth Dublin, Ireland Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Playing position Centre back Club information Current club Southend United (player-coach) Number 5 Youth career 1993–1994 Cherry Orchard Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 1994–1995 Bray Wanderers 11 (0) 1995–1999 Blackburn Rovers 0 (0) 1997 → Swindon Town (loan) 3 (0) 1999 → Livingston (loan) 6 (0) 1999–2001 Livingston 50 (2) 2001–2005 Plymouth Argyle 177 (25) 2005–2007 Sheffield Wednesday 51 (5) 2007 → Burnley (loan) 2 (0) 2007–2008 Rotherham United 45 (1) 2008–2010 Shrewsbury Town 78 (6) 2010– Southend United 36 (0) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10:30, 21 August 2011 (UTC).† Appearances (Goals). (Player info supplied by Wikipedia, for the full info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Coughlan)
