Guest
Guest
From tonight's Evening Echo:
Tilly Speaks In Keeper Furore
Southend United manager Steve Tilson today defended his decision to demote Shrimpers shot-stopper Darryl Flahavan down the Roots Hall pecking order.
Tilson sealed a free transfer swoop for experienced keeper Bart Griemink late last week but, despite reports to the contrary, the popular Blues boss insisted he had kept Flahavan fully aware of the situation.
"We decided that we wanted competition for Darryl - like we want competition for all positions," said Tilson.
"Las season I felt Flavs didn't have that - especially after the way Carl Emberson and Ryan Robinson started their Southend careers - but we've been in touch with Darryl all along."
And Tilson pointed out how his moves and motives had been backed by Shrimpers supremo Ron Martin once again.
"The chairman has backed me in my decision making over this, like he has over everything since I took over," said Tilson.
"He's helped me to bring in whoever I've said I wanted, but I think he might draw the line if I suddenly said Ronaldo."
"He doesn't interfere with the team either, though, he lets me get on with all that and hopefully we can both enjoy a successful season this year."
But Tilson is not expecting Flahavan to figure at all during the forthcoming campaign - despite offering the diminutive keeper a further year's contract.
"The deal is on the same money as he was on last season, but I don't think he'll be signing" confirmed Tilson.
"Flavs wants to be number one and play regular first team football, but I'm not sure he'll get that here and it's a long way to drive from Southampton every day if you're not playing regularly."
Flahavan is on holiday in Spain and is pondering over the deal offered by the Shrimpers.
Tilson has also backed number one Bart Griemink to enjoy a pleasing debut campaign for the coastal club between the sticks.
"He's a tall, experienced keeper - he's played hundreds of games and I'm sure he's going to do well for us this year," he said.
"But we kept Darryl informed all along. At the end of the day we wanted two strong keepers and, because of that, the chairman allocated us that money in our budget for next season."
"We went after a keeper, I told Flavs about it and was honest but that move fell through."
"Then Bart Griemink came up, I told Flavs what was happening and the move eventually went through which is great news for us."
Tilly Speaks In Keeper Furore
Southend United manager Steve Tilson today defended his decision to demote Shrimpers shot-stopper Darryl Flahavan down the Roots Hall pecking order.
Tilson sealed a free transfer swoop for experienced keeper Bart Griemink late last week but, despite reports to the contrary, the popular Blues boss insisted he had kept Flahavan fully aware of the situation.
"We decided that we wanted competition for Darryl - like we want competition for all positions," said Tilson.
"Las season I felt Flavs didn't have that - especially after the way Carl Emberson and Ryan Robinson started their Southend careers - but we've been in touch with Darryl all along."
And Tilson pointed out how his moves and motives had been backed by Shrimpers supremo Ron Martin once again.
"The chairman has backed me in my decision making over this, like he has over everything since I took over," said Tilson.
"He's helped me to bring in whoever I've said I wanted, but I think he might draw the line if I suddenly said Ronaldo."
"He doesn't interfere with the team either, though, he lets me get on with all that and hopefully we can both enjoy a successful season this year."
But Tilson is not expecting Flahavan to figure at all during the forthcoming campaign - despite offering the diminutive keeper a further year's contract.
"The deal is on the same money as he was on last season, but I don't think he'll be signing" confirmed Tilson.
"Flavs wants to be number one and play regular first team football, but I'm not sure he'll get that here and it's a long way to drive from Southampton every day if you're not playing regularly."
Flahavan is on holiday in Spain and is pondering over the deal offered by the Shrimpers.
Tilson has also backed number one Bart Griemink to enjoy a pleasing debut campaign for the coastal club between the sticks.
"He's a tall, experienced keeper - he's played hundreds of games and I'm sure he's going to do well for us this year," he said.
"But we kept Darryl informed all along. At the end of the day we wanted two strong keepers and, because of that, the chairman allocated us that money in our budget for next season."
"We went after a keeper, I told Flavs about it and was honest but that move fell through."
"Then Bart Griemink came up, I told Flavs what was happening and the move eventually went through which is great news for us."
