Southend broke their Orient jinx and exacted revenge for their Johnstone's Paint trophy defeat to their rivals earlier in the month, with a comprehensive victory at Roots Hall tonight.

The Blues went ahead after just 47 seconds when Lee Barnard scored his third goal of the season following a good move. Click to continue reading...

Southend United threw away the full three points as Millwall rescued a point with an injury time goal.

Alex Revell scored after 7 minutes but Ahmet Brkovic equalised two minutes into stoppage time.
The Blues made the perfect start when Dan Harding's free kick was misjudged by home 'keeper David Forde. Click to continue reading...

-
A tale of contrasts: Shabbaz Baidoo and Paul Furlong

Shabbaz Baidoo Trialing at non-league Lewes. Sill only 20, Baidoo has gone a long way since signing a new contract with QPR a couple of years ago, after talk of a Premiership transfer. Click to continue reading...

It's been a busy period for Southend United and longpier over the past week. Lots of news coming out of Roots Hall - details are below. Also we've been testing the new LONGPIER LIVE Skypecast - a new, easy and FREE interactive discussion show, starting on the first day of the new season. If you haven't seen the details click here and have your say on Southend's season. Click to continue reading...

Southend United misfit Richie Foran could finally be on his way out of Roots Hall. longpier understands Carlisle manager John Ward is set to bid £50,000 for the winger-cum-striker.

Allegations about Foran's private life are said to have hindered his progress at the Blues. Click to continue reading...

-
On QPR Italia Blog, QPR's new signing, Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma interviewed speaking about Genoa, Italian football and QPR: Intervista a Ledesma: "Al QPR col Genoa nel cuore" and a Web translation


PFA's Give Me Football/Mark Shail - Q&A WitH Paul Furlong
He may be turning 40 in October, but new Southend signing Paul Furlong says he still has the hunger and desire to be a success at Roots Hall. Click to continue reading...

Within the last hour, Southend United have made the shock decision to transfer list Peter Clarke, Simon Francis and player of the year Nicky Bailey.

It means Southend have now either transfer listed or not renewed the contract of 12 players.

Chairman Ron Martin says he will not be held to ransom by the players or their agents. Click to continue reading...

Southend United have rejected an undisclosed bid from Motherwell to re-sign Steven Hammell and chairman Ron Martin has insisted the defender is not for sale.

The 25-year-old left Fir Park to join the Shrimpers in June 2006 and Motherwell boss Mark McGhee is keen to lure him back to the club. Click to continue reading...

No festive cheer in the north of England for Southend as three set-pieces undid the visitors.

Charlie MacDonald did score for the Blues to level the game at 1-1 but two more first half goals effectively sealed the game in the opening 45 minutes.

Sadly longpier thinks this result confirms what most Shrimpers fans feared - that the squad isn't good enough to mount a challenge to return to the Championship at the first time of asking. Click to continue reading...

Tale of two halves as Blues fail to capitalise

I love football cliches - and there's no better than "a game of two halves". And the game was certainly that. On Saturday the Blues were absolutely dreadful in the opening 45 minutes, but then fought back to gain a draw against the league's bottom team.

Again the Blues started with purpose, giving Dean Morgan a first start, just hours after he signed on loan from Luton Town. Click to continue reading...

Blues fail to convince, but scrape by
Southend progressed to the second round of the FA Cup but they were far from convincing as they edged past League Two side Rochdale.
The home side had a great start, with Nicky Bailey scoring in the first minute. His header from Steve Hammell's cross beat the visiting 'keeper in just 22 seconds. Click to continue reading...

Dodgy decisions and suicidal defending costs Blues

Dear oh dear, oh dear. Southend just cannot beat the sides around them. Another defeat at the hands of promotion rivals will do nothing for the Blues' confidence.

Add to this the wrongful dismissal of Leon Clarke half way through the second half and the Blues will look back on this City Ground encounter with disdain. Click to continue reading...

Jol's cloud moves east

Former Spurs manager Martin Jol was at Roots Hall today. No-one knows why for sure. Jol was sacked, along with his assistant Chris Houghton on Thursday - just before they took charge of their last game against Getafe in the UEFA Cup. Houghton is a good friend of Steve Tilson's. Rumours started to fly around the east stand - from the outlandish "Jol to replace Tilly when he leaves for Norwich", to "Houghton's eyeing up a managerial role here" to "well maybe Jol just fancied watching some real football". Click to continue reading...

Stroll in the park restores league momentum

Southend crusied to a 3-0 victory at Roots Hall thanks to goals from Nicky Bailey, Gary Hooper and a Leon Clarke penalty.

The home side never looked in difficulty and it the scoreline could have been worse for Crewe in all fairness.

Southend completely dominated both halves of play and went ahead thanks to a 20 yard curling effort from Nicky Bailey on 17. Click to continue reading...

Southend made it 4 league wins on the trot with prolific loan striker Leon Clarke scoring his fourth in as many games, and the seemingly equally prolific midfielder Alan McCormack also bagging another goal.

It was a nervy finish but the Blues held on for all three points, which moves them up into 3rd in League One.

More follows. Click to continue reading...

The second of the games I missed (hey, it was a well needed holiday!) was a five-goal thriller against Doncaster at Roots Hall on Saturday.

Leon Clarke scored his third in as many games, with Adam Barrett and Alan McCormack bagging the other goals. It moves the Blues up to 5th position. All of a sudden, things are looking good.

The Blues go to Blackpool in the third round of the Carling Cup tomorrow, which is the same day as the public inquiry into the new stadium starts at the Civic Centre in Southend. Click to continue reading...

I was away for two games - more about that later this week. But firstly the Blues went to Oldham and claimed all three points, thanks to a Leon Clarke goal.
Here is the report from The Little Gazette Click to continue reading...