After a family bereavement midfielder Jean-Paul Kalala returned to the team that held Preston last weekend in the FA Cup tie but was obviously way below his best and taken off after 52 minutes at Deepdale.
However, when at the top of his game JP has helped shore up the Shrimpers back-line against all-comers during most of our 13 match unbetaen run, and having worked hard in training all week to get back in the zone JP is ready and willing to take on Dagenham & Redbridge in our League Two clash Saturday afternoon.
Kalala told www.echo-news.co.uk: “I was very disappointed with my display at Preston and it’s certainly not what I expect from myself. I know it wasn’t what the manager expects from me either and training this week has been about getting myself back to the level I need to be at. I’ve worked hard so I’m feeling fit but it was more of a mental thing to be honest. I’m now mentally where I need to be as well and I’m confident of being able to play far better against Dagenham.”
According to many media experts the three points are in the bag, a very dangerous expectation in a two-horse race.
Kalala said: “We are expecting a seriously hard game here and we will not be taking Dagenham lightly. We might be top of the league but we haven’t had any easy games to get there. The last few matches have been really hard fought and we’re expecting more of the same against Dagenham. You get funny results all the time in our league but we want to avoid one tomorrow.”
In front of 1,500 screaming Shrimpers supporters, we hope so too!
The Kalal Files
Personal information Full name Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala Date of birth 16 February 1982 (1982-02-16) (age 29) Place of birth Lubumbashi, Zaire Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Playing position Midfielder Club information Current club Southend United Number 19 Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 1999–2003 Nice B 118 (3) 2003–2005 Nice 2 (0) 2005–2006 Grimsby Town 21 (5) 2006–2007 Yeovil Town 38 (1) 2007–2009 Oldham Athletic 20 (0) 2008–2009 → Grimsby Town (loan) 21 (2) 2009–2011 Yeovil Town 49 (1) 2011 Bristol Rovers 11 (0) 2011– Southend United 9 (0) National team‡ 2002-2006 Congo DR 7 (0) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:43, 27 July 2011 (UTC).† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:51, 31 January 2008 (UTC)(Full article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Paul_Kalala)
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