Sturrock: 'Certainly not getting any easier when it comes to picking the team against Morecambe'

14 October 2011 09:32
The Shrimps of Morecambe FC: In his weekly Echo column Southend United manager reveals how tough it is to choose his best starting eleven at the moment, even after six successive wins!

Sturrock: 'People must realise this is going to be a very difficult game'

A packed out Roots Hall crowd, first v sixth, Southend United going for their seventh successive win, sixth in the league, it's all set up for a decent Saturday afternoon out.

However, Blues boss Paul Sturrock is struggling to choose his best starting eleven after putting out one of the strongest substitute benches in the club's history in recent matches, where late on the players on them have been used to maxumum effect.

Sturrock told www.echo-news.co.uk: "It certainly isn’t getting any easier when it comes to picking the team at the moment. Ryan Hall, Bilel Mohsni and Anthony Grant were all on the bench at Crewe last weekend and they reacted fantastically well to being left out. Their attitude since then has also been spot on and they all made a real impact when they came on."

But will he change his present 'A' team that included former Plymouth youth Ryan Leonard?

There's certainly been a strong lobby amongst the faithful for the influential winger Ryan Hall to be on from the first whistle, especially at home.

Sturrock said: "I now have to consider whether the time is right to make changes and to bring one of them back in. But it would be difficult to tell someone I’m leaving them out after they’ve been in a starting line-up which has won six matches in a row. It’s a very difficult situation and one which will require plenty of careful consideration."

He even has midfielder Lee Sawyer to consider after over an hour's play for the reserves on Tuesday.

However, with the injury situation outside Big Baz being the best since Luggy arrived at the club the canny Scot still had some time in midweek to eye a couple of trialists, one who is remaining to train with the first team.

Former Pilgrim defender Krisztian Timar and striker Yannick Boli both turned in good performances for the Shrimpers seconds, the Hungarian Timar staying behind in an attempt to keep fitness levels high, and contrary to reports, especially about the ex-Paris St. Germain forward Boli, they might have a future as Shrimpers. 

Sturrock concluded: "I will think more about them over the weekend, when hopefully we will also be able to get another three points against Morecambe. But like I keep on saying, people must realise this is going to be a very difficult game."

It's certainly going to be played in a great atmosphere.

COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!!

The S24 Preview: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk

Shrimps boss on Shrimpers: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk

 

Source: FOOTYMAD