Who would be a manager?
We have already posted that Southend United boss Paul Sturrock will debate the future of defender Bilel Mohsni after his sending off in Tuesday evening's 1-0 FA Cup second round replay defeat at League One club Oldham Athletic.
To confirm, Sturrock told BBC Essex: "That's something I'll have to debate with the powers that be. At this minute in time I'm more happy because of my players who gave everything tonight."
At present the Shrimpers faithful seem split about the tempremental French Tunisian's future at Roots Hall, this was his second sending off of the season, on top of nine bookings, and comes on top of being disciplined in August for his part in the handbags incident after the Port Vale game that cost the club a fine from the FA at the time.
Let's face it, we've had the 'last chance saloon' speech before, something has to be done this time around, though I do believe it's best to have Bilel 'pissing in than out', so to speak. All of this doesn't take away from what he did which disappointed manager and squad alike, it certainly raised the work load of those that will have played four times in thirteen days by the time Bradford City visit on Friday.
Sturrock said: "Going down to 10 men has turned the game totally on its head. I must apologise to all the Southend fans. The situation with Bilel has been ongoing for a long time now. I've tried to benefit the football club with his ability to the detriment of us going out of the Cup. I feel I've let everybody down. I know there's a footballer in there. But too many times he's gone to the well and let us down. And it costs us a lot of money."
Still, how well the ten and subs that stayed on the pitch performed last night, the better side against a nervous Latics before the 'incident', who knows what might have been. Sturrock said: "I'm delighted. Every one of the players gave everything they had. When they went down to 10 men they worked their tails off as well. The first half of the game was us playing as well as we have been."
Source: FOOTYMAD
