Links to headings:
Introduction
The 2023/24 National League season has come to a close, and teams have already started their summer recruitment with an eye on next season.
It looks set to be another summer of uncertainty for Southend United with the takeover still yet to be finalised, and another transfer embargo being placed on the club. Regardless, I’m still releasing my summer recruitment document which includes a brief overview of our current squad, where I think Southend should strengthen, and some transfer recommendations for each position.
Squad Overview
The above chart shows Southend’s current squad depth in our 3-5-2 formation, with contract expiration dates in brackets.
In goal we have Collin Andeng Ndi contracted until 2026, and David Martin in a player-coach role. In my opinion, Andeng Ndi has now proven himself to be first-choice quality for a side who would be aiming to win the National League title. Andeng Ndi prevented 2.99 goals compared to expected in his 24 matches after returning from injury in December. If extrapolated across a full season, that would equate to 5.73 goals prevented in 46 league matches – ranking him as one of the best ‘keepers in the National League.
If Martin were to continue in his player-coach role, I think that our current goalkeeping options would suffice. However if either player left this summer, they would need to be replaced.
We have good depth in the right-sided centre-back role, with Harry Taylor and Adam Crowther. Ollie Kensdale is our first-choice in the central centre-back role, with Crowther also acting as cover. All three players are contracted until 2026.
However club captain Nathan Ralph, who has one year left on his contract, is our only recognised option at left centre-back; so I would like another player here to provide cover – especially when we consider that Ralph does tend to miss some matches through injury. Ralph has averaged 30 league matches across the past three seasons for Southend.
Cav Miley, who is also contracted until 2026, is our first-choice in the #6 role. Similarly to Kensdale, Miley is reliable and consistently available; so it makes little sense to me to recruit another specialist player in these positions. Noor Husin and James Morton can cover Miley if he were to become injured, or we have the loan market.
Husin, Morton, Oli Coker and Wes Fonguck are our options in the two #8 positions. The first three players have two years left on their contracts; whereas Fonguck is out of contract this summer, but has an option to have it extended by a further year.
Fonguck is unique when compared to our other central-midfielders, in so far as he is able to contribute more in the final-third in terms of his ball-carrying, over/underlapping runs and directness. However he has exclusively been used in the left-sided #8 role, which contributes to our over-reliance on our left-side to create clear goalscoring chances.
Whilst I would be happy to see Fonguck stay for another year, if there are similar players out there who are available, I personally would release him and recruit another #8 who possesses similar final-third qualities to Fonguck; but an upgrade and someone who can play in either the left or right-sided central-midfield roles.
Gus Scott-Morriss is our first-choice right wing-back, but is out of contract this summer with an option to have it extended by a further year. Player-coach Jason Demetriou is our only other recognised right wing-back. Assuming Scott-Morriss stays for at least another year, I would still like to recruit another right wing-back who can provide cover. However due to the transfer embargo, there is some doubt as to whether we are able to activate the option on Scott-Morriss’ contract; so a new first-choice may be needed as well.
Jack Bridge is our only recognised left wing-back, and has another year remaining on his contract. Ralph can cover Bridge, but it would again require an additional option at left centre-back. I would like another option here to provide even further depth.
To save recruiting three players for these three positions (left centre-back, right wing-back and left wing-back), it may be sensible to bring in two players instead, who can cover two positions.
In attack we have Harry Cardwell and Danny Waldron as our two options in the #9 role, with Callum Powell and Jack Wood in the second-striker role. Waldron has another year left on his contract, and Cardwell has two remaining. Powell and Wood are out of contract, but both have options to extend their contracts by a further year.
I would like us to sign another #9 who is a proper target-man, to offer us cover in the event that Cardwell were to be unavailable. I would also like us to sign a second-striker, who can drop deeper to help link the midfield to attack as a method of ball-progression versus mid-blocks.
I understand that this second-striker role is currently occupied by Powell. Although he has an option on his contract, if we can find better players of a similar profile who are available, I would release him. Similarly to Fonguck, although he possesses some very important attributes in terms of his work-rate, athleticism and link play, Powell hasn’t done enough in his time here to prove to me that he will score the number of goals required to help us challenge for the league title, and consequently make the step up to League Two – which should be the aim next season.
This season Southend accumulated the fourth-highest expected goals figure in the division (85.48 xG), but only scored 70 goals (joint-tenth). If we’re to progress to the next level we must score at a rate much closer to our expected levels, and subsequently improve our finishing. Powell has scored 12 league goals for Southend compared to his expected number of 17.89 (xG), in the equivalent of just over 39 ninety minutes.
Jack Wood is also out of contract this summer but has an option to extend for another year. He only started seven matches this season, and not once this calendar year. I would expect him to be released this summer, but I would still like to see his contract extended by a further year.
Wood is still young and has lots of potential, and is the only player in our squad capable of playing off the right-side, if we were to switch formation mid-way through a match to include natural wingers. If he’s happy to stay for a further year, primarily as an impact player, then I’d activate the option on his contract. If he wants to leave to seek regular football, then I’d release him.
This concludes the squad overview section of my recruitment plan, and I have identified the following positions as needing recruiting to: left-sided centre-back, right wing-back, left wing-back, central-midfielder, centre-forward and second-striker. The below chart shows what Southend’s squad could look like next season if we recruit in the areas that I have highlighted.
My initial approach to finding suitable transfer recommendations was primarily data-driven, although there were some exceptions. Once initial targets were identified I undertook video scouting to trim the lists down to around five targets per position, and check player suitability to the role requirements.
Left-sided centre-back
If Southend are to recruit a recognised left-sided centre-back this summer, this player should be comfortable in-possession, be a strong ball-carrier, be athletic enough to make over/underlapping runs beyond our left wing-back, and be able to effectively cross the ball into the penalty area.
This player should also possess good mobility to defend large spaces in defensive transition, when our wing-backs push forwards; defend as a situational left-back in our ‘back-four’ if our left wing-back presses forwards, and be able to defend crosses into our penalty area when we are pinned back. It would be advantageous if this player could also cover the left wing-back role.
The metrics I used to identify players for this position are: passes per 90, accurate passes (%), forward passes per 90, accurate forward passes (%), progressive runs per 90, crosses per 90, xA per 90, shots assists per 90 and defensive duels won (%). I also want this player to be left-footed and aged around 23-years-old.
Left-sided centre-back option 1: Jaydn Mundle-Smith
The standout player who fits these requirements is Jaydn Mundle-Smith. He is out of contract at Wealdstone but has been offered a new contract, and will turn 25-years-old in December. Mundle-Smith meets all of my criteria, and is tall at 6’0″. He also possesses good acceleration which helps him to create separation from his marker if he were to be holding the width on the left-side, rather than just being able to make overlapping runs. This allows him to be able to play as a left wing-back as well. The location is ideal too, and as Wealdstone are a part-time club it should be realistic.
However he played 44 National League matches this season, and is a real standout player at this level. I’m therefore not sure that Mundle-Smith would want to join a club at the same level if he wasn’t going to be playing regularly.
Left-sided centre-back option 2: Miguel Freckleton
Miguel Freckleton is my second pick for the left-sided centre-back role. The Sheffield United player was on loan at Chesterfield this season where he played 16 National League matches, and will turn 21-years-old in June. Freckleton primarily featured at left-back in Chesterfield’s back-four this season, demonstrating that he can effectively defend the wide spaces. However his height also enables him to be an effective penalty area defender, if he were to play as a centre-back.
However he lacks the athleticism to be able to consistently make overlapping runs beyond our left wing-back. Considering he was part of a side who have just won the National League title (albeit without featuring regularly), similarly to Mundle-Smith, Freckleton may not want to re-join a National League side next season if he wasn’t going to be playing regularly.
Left-sided centre-back option 3: Mitchell Roberts
Mitchell Roberts began his career at Birmingham City and had a number of loan moves to sides across League Two and the National League in recent seasons. Roberts, who will turn 24-years-old in September, joined Oxford City permanently in October and went on to feature 17 times this season. More naturally a left-back, Roberts primarily featured on the left-side of Oxford City’s back-three this season and put up some impressive numbers despite playing for a side who were ultimately relegated from the division.
Roberts possesses very good athleticism, and is able to regularly make overlapping runs beyond those players further ahead of him. He may also be able to play as a left wing-back, although I feel that he lacks the ability to consistently create separation to be overly effective in this role within Southend’s system. However I still feel that he would be a good option for the left-sided centre-back role.
After Oxford City’s relegation from the National League this move would offer Roberts a chance of remaining in the National League, and even though game-time may be fairly limited I think it would still be appealing to the player.
Left-sided centre-back option 4: Noah Watson
Crystal Palace‘s Noah Watson is yet to experience a loan away from the club despite recently turning 21-years-old, so now may be the time. Watson is more of a centre-back but does play on the left-side of Crystal Palace U21’s back-three, so has experience of playing there. He also possesses decent mobility in order to defend large spaces in transition, although he lacks the athleticism required to make overlapping runs with regularity.
Despite his age Watson also demonstrates good leadership and communication skills. This maturity should be able to make up for his lack of experience in terms of first-team football.
Left-sided centre-back option 5: Jay Foulston
Jay Foulston is my final pick for the left-sided centre-back role. The Taunton Town player had a loan at Yeovil Town this season and helped them to win the National League South title. Foulston, who will turn 24-years-old in November, is predominantly a left-back but can also play at left centre-back and left wing-back.
However I feel that he lacks the ability to consistently create separation in order to effectively play as a left wing-back in Southend’s system. Additionally Foulston may lack the physicality required to play as a centre-back, but he is very athletic and can defend large spaces as well as regularly make overlapping runs.
Wing-back
The wing-backs in Southend’s system should be extremely athletic in order to consistently get up and down the pitch, especially when we don’t play with wingers in our 3-5-2 formation. These players are required to both defend as part of the back-five and hold the width in the last line of settled attacks.
These wing-backs should also be able to consistently create separation from their markers through their acceleration or dribbling ability, put dangerous crosses into the penalty area, and be able to win defensive duels.
The metrics I used to identify players for this position are: dribbles per 90, offensive duels per 90, crosses per 90, passes to penalty area per 90, xA per 90, shots assists per 90 and defensive duels won (%). It would also be advantageous if these players can play on either side of the pitch.
Right wing-back option 1: Connor Barrett
If Gus Scott-Morriss were to leave this summer, my #1 recommendation would be Connor Barrett. After turning 22-years-old in March, Barrett is out of contract at Fylde but has been offered a new contract.
Barrett has excellent athleticism and dribbling ability and is able to play on either side of the pitch. He was a real standout performer in the National League this season and managed nine assists. This one would only be realistic if we were in the market for a new first-choice right wing-back, but even then I’d imagine Barrett may have offers from League Two.
Right wing-back option 2: Jeff King
My #2 recommendation if Scott-Morriss were to leave would be Jeff King. After just recently being released by National League champions Chesterfield, King is possibly the best right-back on the market at this level. He will turn 29-years-old in December.
Although he played as a right-back in Chesterfield’s back-four, due to Chesterfield’s tactical set-up, their full-backs are the ones holding the width on either side of the pitch rather than their wingers, who often invert. This would make King a good fit for a right wing-back role. King is an excellent crosser of the ball and is comfortable cutting inside onto his weaker left-foot as well. He is also a strong dribbler, which is needed in order to create separation due to his lack of explosiveness.
Right wing-back option 3: Connor McLennan
My final pick for the right wing-back role if Scott-Morriss were to leave is Connor McLennan. He will turn 25-years-old in October and has just been released by League Two’s Salford City.
McLennan is more of a winger and as such is an excellent dribbler. He can play on either side of the pitch, ensuring that he can create danger in different scenarios. However because of this I would worry that he wouldn’t provide enough protection to the right-side of our back-five. If partnered with Jack Bridge as the other wing-back (another player who is more of a winger), we may be vulnerable defensively.
Right wing-back option 4: Ben Chapman
Ebbsfleet United‘s Ben Chapman is my #1 recommendation for the right wing-back role even if Scott-Morriss were to remain at the club. Chapman is out of contract at Ebbsfleet but has been offered a new contract, and will turn 26-years-old in December.
Chapman can play on either side of the pitch, but is also capable of defending as a right-back in a back-four. He is athletic, a strong dribbler and a good crosser of the ball. Chapman can also cut inside the pitch from the right-side onto his weaker left-foot and still deliver dangerous crosses into the penalty area.
He scored three goals and managed four assists this season for an Ebbsfleet side who narrowly avoided relegation from the National League, and was capped by the England C team in May. In fact, even if Scott-Morriss were to leave this summer, Chapman would still be a very good option as his replacement.
Right wing-back option 5: Charlie Seaman
My final pick for the right wing-back role is Charlie Seaman. He was recently released by Doncaster Rovers after spending time on loan at Hartlepool United and Wealdstone this season. He will turn 25-years-old in September.
Seaman doesn’t meet all of my criteria, but I still wanted to include him as an option as a back-up to Scott-Morriss after being impressed when watching him play earlier this season. He is quick, direct and a good dribbler. After being released this summer, and with two loan spells this season to National League clubs, I think a permanent move to the National League is his next move.
Left wing-back option 1: Reece Staunton
My #1 recommendation for the left wing-back role is Reece Staunton. He is under contract at Spennymoor Town of the National League North, and will turn 23-years-old in December.
Staunton is quick enough to accelerate past his marker to create separation, before delivering dangerous crosses into the penalty area. I also feel that he would be able to play as the left-sided centre-back in Southend’s system due to his athleticism, physicality and ability to make overlapping runs.
With Spennymoor failing to gain promotion to the National League I feel that Staunton would be willing to make the step up, even though game-time would be limited; but the location is far from ideal.
Left wing-back option 2: Charles Clayden
Charles Clayden is my #2 recommendation for the left wing-back role. He signed for Boreham Wood part-way through this season and is therefore still under contract, and will turn 24-years-old in November.
Clayden is a creative left wing-back who is capable of holding the width rather than just making overlapping runs. He is comfortable attempting to take-on his marker, and can deliver dangerous crosses into the penalty area.
Although if we were to sign Clayden his game-time would be limited, after Boreham Wood’s relegation, a chance to remain in the National League may be appealing.
Left wing-back option 3: Kai Woollard Innocent
Kai Woollard Innocent is my final left wing-back pick. He is out of contract at Havant & Waterlooville but has been offered a new contract, and will turn 24-years-old in September.
Woollard Innocent can carry the ball forwards and cross the ball into the penalty area with regularity. He is athletic, and would be able to get up and down the pitch with ease.
Although Woollard Innocent met all of my criteria, he primarily played as a left-back in Havant & Waterlooville’s back-four this season. As such, I’m not sure whether he possesses the ability to consistently create separation from his marker in order to hold the width on the left-side. I think that he’s much more effective when making overlapping runs beyond a teammate who holds the width instead.
Other wing-back options
Callum Johnson | RWB | Mansfield Town | DOB: 23/10/96 | Signed for Bradford City
Joe Felix | RWB/LWB | Worthing | DOB: 29/09/99 | Signed for York City
Érico Sousa | RWB/LWB | Boreham Wood | DOB: 12/03/95 | Released
Leone Gravata | RWB/LWB | York City | DOB: 13/05/01 | Under contract
Kyle Smith | RWB | Millwall | DOB: 07/06/04 | Offered new contract
Tom Blair | RWB/LWB | Dorking Wanderers | DOB: 24/04/99 | Released
Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain | RWB | Kidderminster Harriers | DOB: 24/06/98 | Under contract
Kevin Berkoe | LWB | Salford City | DOB: 05/07/01
Leo Hamblin | LWB | Weymouth | DOB: 24/10/02 | Signed new contract
Central-midfield
When we consider the qualities that Fonguck possesses, it’s clear that he is a different type of midfielder to our other #8 options. Husin, Coker and Morton are all comfortable receiving and playing a high volume of passes in the second-phase; whereas Fonguck is more direct and has a greater influence in the final-third.
If we are to recruit a similar player to Fonguck this summer, this player must be comfortable in-possession, athletic, a strong dribbler and creative. This player must also be committed in defensive duels, and athletic enough to press the wide spaces that are left vacant when we are pinned into our back-five due to the absence of wingers in Southend’s 5-3-2 defensive shape.
When looking for players compared to defensive/central-midfielders, the metrics I used to identify players for this position are: minutes played, passes per 90, accurate passes (%), dribbles per 90, progressive runs per 90, passes to penalty area per 90, accurate passes to penalty area (%), xA per 90, shots assists per 90 and defensive duels won (%). It would also be advantageous if these players can play on either side of the midfield three and are left-footed. I also want these players to be around 25-years-old.
When looking for players compared to attacking-midfielders/wingers, the metrics I used to identify players for this position are: minutes played, received passes per 90, passes per 90, accurate passes (%), accurate progressive passes (%), passes to penalty area per 90, accurate passes to penalty area (%), xA per 90, shots assists per 90 and defensive duels won (%).
Central-midfield option 1: Toby Edser
My #1 recommendation is Toby Edser. He is under contract at Ebbsfleet United, and turned 25-years-old in February. Edser is a left-footed central-midfielder, capable of either playing in a double-pivot, as a #8 or a #10.
Edser is equally comfortable playing a high volume of passes from deeper areas, or by dropping deeper from a higher position. He is a strong dribbler, athletic and able to play on either side of a midfield three. Due to his left-footedness, if Edser were to receive through passes after making over/underlapping runs beyond our left wing-back, he would be able to cross the ball into the penalty area first-time, rather than having to cut back onto his right-foot.
Although not the strongest, Edser is committed in defensive duels, and presses with intensity and aggression. He was also capped by the England C team in May. Although he’s still under contract at Ebbsfleet, I think that this move would be realistic due to it presenting Edser with a step up. The location works too.
My full scout report on Toby Edser can be found here.
Central-midfield option 2: George McEachran
George McEachran is my #2 recommendation. The midfielder was released by Swindon Town this summer, is left-footed and will turn 24-years-old in August.
Although McEachran is possibly more of a second-phase midfielder, I still think he could be a good option as a #8. He can play a high volume of passes, is strong in defensive duels, athletic and aggressive. McEachran also has excellent close-control, and is a strong dribbler.
Although he didn’t meet all of my criteria, I still believe that McEachran has the necessary ball-carrying ability to be useful in our system – especially if he were playing in a system which allowed him to demonstrate this side to his game more often.
Central-midfield option 3: Will McGowan
My #3 recommendation is Blyth Spartans‘ Will McGowan. He is a left-footed midfielder comfortable of playing in a double-pivot, as a #8, a #10 or even from the right-side where he can cut onto his stronger left-foot. McGowan is under contract and will turn 22-years-old in August.
Although Blyth were relegated this season McGowan was still a standout performer in the National League North, scoring five goals and managing a further seven assists. McGowan meets all of my criteria, and is at a great age. He is a very exciting player, and someone I’d love to see playing in the National League next season.
Central-midfield option 4: Jack Hazlehurst
Jack Hazlehurst of Chorley is the next player on my list. He is a right-footed midfielder who can play as a #8 or a #10, or potentially even out wide. He is under contract and will turn 25-years-old in November.
Hazlehurst scored nine goals this season and put up some very impressive numbers. He is very energetic and a real threat in the final-third. I think that he’d be capable of the step up to National League level; although he may not quite be at the level required for a side challenging to win the title. Nevertheless he is a player who I think would be a good fit, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on his career.
Central-midfield option 5: Connor McBride
Gateshead midfielder Connor McBride is next up. The right-footed midfielder turned 23-years-old in March, and scored three goals in the National League this season in the equivalent of just over 18 ninety minutes.
McBride was slightly out of favour for Gateshead this season, but at 23-years-old is at an age where he can still develop. He may not be as strong a dribbler as I’d like, but McBride still has some very good qualities that could assist us in the final-third.
Central-midfield option 6: Ricky Aguiar
My final central-midfield option is Ricky Aguiar. The right-footed midfielder is under contract at Swindon Town, but had a loan at Worthing in the National League South this season where he scored eleven goals in 25 matches.
Similarly to Connor McBride, Aguiar may not be the best dribbler but he has undeniable quality in the final-third. After turning 23-years-old in March, Aguiar is still at an age where he can develop further as well.
Other central-midfield options
Callum Cooke | Hartlepool United | DOB: 21/02/97 | Released
Giorgio Rasulo | St. Albans City | DOB: 23/01/97
Harry Pinchard | Gloucester City | DOB: 11/09/01 | Under contract
Centre-forward
Harry Cardwell and Danny Waldron are our current two #9 options. Whilst Waldron can be used as a target man, he isn’t as effective in this role as Cardwell is. As such I’d like us to bring in another target-man to cover Cardwell in the event that he were to become unavailable, or to allow us to have two target-men on the pitch at once if we wanted to.
As mentioned earlier on, we need to be more clinical in-front of goal if we are to progress to the next level. We should therefore be targeting players in attack who are going to be capable of converting their chances on a regular basis, as well as fulfilling their tactical obligations.
Players in the #9 role in Southend’s system should be able to effectively challenge for aerial duels after receiving long passes from the defence, when we bypass opponents’ high presses. They should also offer a target for us to aim crosses towards versus sides who are sitting deeper in low-blocks, and should be clinical in-front of goal. It would also be advantageous if these players were athletic enough to allow us to play long passes over our opponents towards them and beyond defences for them to run onto. These players should ideally be able to press with intensity as well.
The metrics I used to identify players for this position are: minutes played, received long passes per 90, aerial duels per 90, aerial duels won (%), touches in penalty area per 90, shots per 90, non-penalty goals per 90, non-penalty xG per 90, shots on-target (%) and goal conversion (%).
Centre-forward option 1: Paul McCallum
Paul McCallum is my #1 recommendation. The striker is under contract at Eastleigh and scored 31 goals in 38 National League matches this season. He will turn 31-years-old before the new season starts.
McCallum’s physicality would allow us to play long passes towards him for him to challenge for aerial duels, where we can then look to win the loose-ball duels that would occur in order to initiate attacks high up the pitch. He would also become a target to aim crosses towards, either from open-play or from set-pieces.
However he does lack the athleticism required in order for us to play long passes beyond opponents for him to run onto, in the same way Cardwell does. This lack of athleticism may also mean that McCallum won’t be able to press with intensity. Eastleigh aren’t a side who press with intensity throughout the ninety minutes, so McCallum would have to adjust his game to fit in. If he were to successfully adjust his game, this increased workload may have knock-on effects for how many minutes McCallum would be available for.
Despite this, and although he significantly over-performed his xG this season, McCallum would still be my #1 recommendation because it’s extremely difficult to overlook a player who has just finished the season as the division’s top goal-scorer – especially as this goal-scoring ability is exactly what’s needed in order for Southend to progress.
McCallum has been linked with a move to the club and although it would be expensive, it could be realistic.
My full scout report on Paul McCallum can be found here.
Centre-forward option 2: Macauley Bonne
My #2 recommendation is Macauley Bonne. He was recently released by League Two’s Gillingham after spending time on loan with Cambridge United in League One this season. He will turn 29-years-old in October.
Bonne meets all of my criteria, and has a history of success at National League level. He scored 23 goals in the 2018/19 season for Leyton Orient – the last time he played at this level. He has also gone on to play for Charlton Athletic, Queens Park Rangers and Ipswich Town; scoring goals in the Championship, League One and League Two.
He is still 28-years-old, and is based fairly locally. Similarly to McCallum though, Bonne may not have the athleticism required to press with intensity in the same way as Cardwell does.
Centre-forward option 3: Joe Quigley
Joe Quigley is my #3 recommendation for the #9 role. The striker is under contract at National League champions Chesterfield and will turn 28-years-old in December.
Although he is still under contract, after Chesterfield’s promotion to League Two, Quigley may become available later this summer depending on who ‘The Spireites’ recruit. Chesterfield have already signed striker Paddy Madden this summer.
Quigley scored 12 goals this season in the equivalent of just under 17.5 ninety minutes, although he did significantly over-perform his xG. Similarly to those already mentioned, Quigley is tall, strong and a clinical finisher. He is a proper target-man; although he lacks great athleticism. However as far as proven goal-scoring target-men in the National League go, there aren’t many better than Quigley. He would allow us to bypass high presses, and give a target to aim for versus low-blocks and from set-pieces.
Centre-forward option 4: Sean Adarkwa
Wealdstone‘s Sean Adarkwa is my #4 recommendation. The striker is under contract, but Wealdstone are still a part-time club. Adarkwa will turn 24-years-old in October and the location also makes this a realistic move.
Adarkwa scored 10 goals in 33 National League matches this season, and is tall, strong and athletic. He would not only allow us to play long passes towards him due to his height, but his pace would enable him to run in-behind opposing defences. Adarkwa can also press with intensity and would be a great fit for Southend’s system.
Due to Wealdstone’s part-time status, I feel this move would be realistic as well.
Centre-forward option 5: Rob Harker
Rob Harker is my #5 recommendation. The striker was released by Halifax Town, and turned 24-years-old in March. He scored nine goals this season in the equivalent of under 24 ninety minutes.
Harker isn’t the most athletic but he is still a good target-man, and is clinical in-front of goal. His aerial ability would give us another good target-man option, and would also make us more of a threat from crosses into the penalty area and set-pieces. Harker is still at an age where he can develop, and I think this move could be realistic.
Centre-forward option 6: Sam Dalby
The penultimate #9 on my list in former ‘Shrimper’, Sam Dalby. He is under contract at Wrexham but after their promotion to League One, I think he could be available – at least on loan. Dalby will turn 25-years-old in December.
Dalby is a very well-rounded striker in so far as he can be used as a target-man or a false-nine. He is equally comfortable receiving long passes and challenging for aerial duels as he is at dropping deeper to receive passes between the lines.
After leaving Southend just before the start of the 2022/23 season, Dalby still knows the management team and a lot of existing players. I therefore think that this move could be realistic.
Centre-forward option 7: Levi Amantchi
The final #9 on my list is Levi Amantchi. He is under contract at Bromley after joining them part-way through this season, and will turn 24-years-old in November. After Bromley’s promotion to League Two, I think Amantchi could be available on loan next season.
Amantchi is tall enough to effectively challenge for aerial duels after receiving long passes and athletic enough to run in-behind when these long passes are aimed beyond opposing defences. His athleticism also allows him to press with intensity. Amantchi scored 12 goals for Maidstone United this season in the 18 matches before his transfer to Bromley, and was previously linked with a move to the club.
Other centre-forward options
Kelsey Mooney | Boston United | DOB: 05/02/99 | Signed for Accrington Stanley
Scott Quigley | Eastleigh | DOB: 02/09/92 | Under contract
Mark Beck | Solihull Moors | DOB: 02/04/94 | Transfer listed
Mike Fondop | Oldham Athletic | DOB: 27/11/93 | Released
Danny Whitehall | Scunthorpe United | DOB: 08/10/95 | Under contract
Kwame Thomas | Aldershot Town | DOB: 28/09/95 | Offered new contract
Second-striker
If Southend are to sign more of a second-striker profile this summer, this player should be able to drop deeper between the lines to receive passes as a method of ball-progression versus mid-blocks. This player should also be able to regularly beat his marker in 1v1 situations, should be fairly creative, clinical in-front of goal, and able to press with intensity. It would also be advantageous if this player had good acceleration in order for us to play through passes beyond opponents for him to run onto.
The metrics I used to identify players for this position are: received passes per 90, passes per 90, accurate passes (%), offensive duels won (%), accurate passes to penalty area (%), non-penalty goals per 90, non-penalty xG per 90, shots on-target (%) and goal conversion (%).
Second-striker option 1: Andrew Dallas
After Ollie Pearce’s transfer to York City earlier this summer, Andrew Dallas is my new #1 recommendation for the second-striker role. He will turn 25-years-old before the start of the new season, and is under contract at Barnsley. Despite only joining Barnsley last summer, this season Dallas spent time on loan at Kilmarnock and Oldham Athletic.
Dallas isn’t physical enough to be a target-man, but has good close-control which enables him to receive the ball in tight spaces. He is also clinical in-front of goal, and creative. In the 2022/23 National League season, Dallas scored 20 goals and managed 10 assists for Solihull Moors and Chesterfield. As well as being able to drop between the lines, Dallas can also play on the shoulder of the last defender to run onto through passes. He should also be able to press from the front with intensity.
After spending time on loan at Oldham this season, I think another loan move to the National League next season may be on the cards for Dallas. Considering he was previously linked with a move to the club, I think this move could be realistic.
Second-striker option 2: Paul Blackett
My #2 recommendation for the second-striker role is Paul Blackett. He turned 26-years-old in February, and is under contact at South Shields, where he scored 29 goals in 44 National League North matches this season – where he was the division’s top goal-scorer.
Blackett is comfortable dropping deeper to receive passes in tight spaces, is quick enough to run in-behind opposing defences, is clinical in-front of goal, and can press with great intensity. Due to Blackett’s pace, he is also a great threat in transition.
He is a similar profile to Powell in so far as he is also fairly ineffective when receiving long passes. It would therefore make sense to use Blackett almost exclusively versus mid-blocks, where we could use him to link the play rather than needing him to win aerial duels if we attempt to bypass high presses, or if we were crossing the ball into a packed penalty area.
Although a move to the National League may be appealing, the location could make this one a non-starter, but Blackett is a player who I am a big fan of. Now that Pearce is off the market, I think that he is the standout second-striker option from Step 2.
Second-striker option 3: Sam Dalby
My final second-striker pick, and the only player who features on my recruitment plan twice, is Sam Dalby. As earlier mentioned, Dalby is equally comfortable receiving long passes and challenging for aerial duels as he is at dropping deeper to receive passes between the lines. Therefore, although he isn’t a natural second-striker, I still think that he could be a good option.
Due to his versatility, Dalby would also be useful in different game-states. He could assist us versus mid-blocks if we needed him to drop deeper between the lines, but then if the game dynamics changed and we needed to start playing more long passes, he could be used as a target-man as well. Dalby’s profile would give us great tactical flexibility.
Due to Wrexham’s promotion and Dalby’s past links to the club, I think this move could be realistic.
Other second-striker options
Ollie Pearce | Worthing | DOB: 08/08/95 | Signed for York City – Former ‘Shrimper Stats’ #1 recommendation
Charlie Ruff | Chelmsford City | DOB: 15/08/99 | Signed new contract
Matt Rush | Maidstone United | DOB: 11/03/01 | Offered new contract
Aaron Blair | Braintree Town | DOB: 20/04/00
Jimmy Knowles | Boston United | DOB: 27/02/01 | Offered new contract
Conclusion
In conclusion, I have highlighted the following positions as needing strengthening by Southend this summer: left centre-back, right wing-back, left wing-back, central-midfield, centre-forward and second-striker.
If the club were to sign all of my #1 recommendations (other than Ollie Pearce, who has joined York City) and retain those who I would, however unlikely that may be, the below chart shows what our squad would look like this going into the 2024/25 National League season.
This would leave us with a squad of 21 players including player-coaches David Martin and Jason Demetriou, which would give us three additional players over the matchday squad limit of 18 (which is increasing from 16).
This concludes my Southend United summer 2024 recruitment plan. Thank you for taking the time to read my document!
Shrimper Stats 
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