Source: FOOTYMAD
Sturrock accepts keeping top Shrimpers will be tough
As reports Kane with Brighton & Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town At last night's AGM Southend United manager admitted that the longer the club remains in League Two the vultures will continue to gather as well as Tranmere Rovers and Championship Reading. Kane Ferdinand; 'the' Jewel in the Shrimpers crown to stay?In a recent S24 poll the players that received more than one vote when asked who was the Shrimpers Jewel in the Crown were, in order; Kane Ferdinand: 6; Bilel Mohsni: 5; Ryan Hall: 4; Lee Sawyer: 2; Anthony Grant: 2.So the young Irishman Kane just edged out that quiet unasuming French Tunisian by a point, with the talented wideboy Ryan Hall just a further vote behind. Even though the top three are all tied to the Shrimpers until 2012/13 it wouldn't take much for Uncle Ron to accept some half decent dosh for any of them, I mean someone has to pay for that fourth side of Fossett's Farm, Ferdy stand anyone?!And add 19-goal Barry Corr as a target, for Tranmere Rovers we've been told, heaven forbid!What Friday, and hopefully in the remaining four fixtures, did and will prove, was that with two or three additions Blues boss Paul Sturrock could have a decent squad to challenge for honours next time around, but even he admitted at Tuesday evening's AGM if we don't get out of League Two as soon as possible the vultures will swoop.So we better be up there come next January, that is if we survive the summer spending spree!Then again, even being in the third tier may not see us being to hold on to the cream of the crop, top scorer Lee Barnard was sacrificed in the new year transfer window 2010, a loss that certainly helped our eventual relegation if not the main reason, not that Uncle Ron would admit to it, easier to blame the players that stayed!In the meantime, the teenage cousin to England international Rio is not letting being in the limelight affect him. Ferdinand told www.echo-news.co.uk: "I don't let any of that get to me and, to be honest, I didn't even know anything about it until I read it in the paper. A lot of the stuff that's been printed isn't even true and I certainly won't be affected by it. I will just concentrate on doing well for Southend and helping us win the matches we have left this season." This is all down to Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell and coach Sean McCarthy being seen in the Roots Hall stands during the hammering of their former club Bradford City Friday night, the reason we were told they were there.However, earlier this season Tractor Boys reserve coach Chris Kiwomya saw the thrilling 3-2 last minute victory over Wycombe Wanderers back in February, where Kane grabbed his first senior goal. Championship rivals Nottingham Forest, through football consultant David Pleat, and League One Champions Brighton also been sniffing around and might fancy a bargin to help kick-off their new efforts in the second tier.So will we keep our Shrimpers stars?As ever with this crazy club, only time will tell. More from the AGM:www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/the_future_is_pink_southend_united_agm_2011_669972/index.shtmlFirst sign of Tractor Boy interest:www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/ipswich_town_show_kane_ferdinand_interest_but_shrimpers_say_hes_staying_647382/index.shtmlKane not their yet:www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/kane_ferdinand_still_talking_hopefully_we_can_sort_his_contract_out_over_the_coming_weeks_644516/index.shtmlHurrah, he signs:www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/ferdy_signs_pro_deal_for_shrimpers_there_were_other_sides_interested_in_securing_him_next_season_660160/index.shtmlThen there was Bilel:www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/paul_sturrock_could_have_been_difficult_for_bilel_mohsni_as_hes_had_a_sniff_of_the_premiership_628708/index.shtmlAnd there was once a time for Snoop Dog:www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/bilel_mohsni_and_anthony_grant_set_to_stay_as_nervous_shrimpers_await_deadline_day_closure_627092/index.shtml
