The missing pieces

Phil Parkinson has again raided feeder-club Southend to bring in an experienced right-back in Simon Francis. If there were any remaining Shrimpers fans who didn't hate us, they will surely have joined the rank-and-file who must be very angry about us cherry-picking their players for relatively small fees. Francis is 25 years old and was the Southend player-of-the-year last season. However you look at it, £25,000 is small beer even if it can rise to £75,000. I understand that Brentford were interested in the recent past when the fee of £125,000 was being talked about. I suppose that's the way of the world and we shouldn't be too concerned in view of our history of selling players short of their potential value. I expect Francis to start as first choice right-back this season which means Chris Solly will have to continue to learn his trade from the bench.

Sky are also reporting that we are close to the first of two striker signings. Pawel Abbott, the six-foot-two English-Pole is the target if we can prize him away from Oldham. Abbott is a player who has caught my eye in the past and he has some goal-scoring form. Thirteen last year for the Latics doesn't sound too great but we should remember that they struggled last year. He would give us more pace upfront and could operate in a bettering-ram tandem with Akpo Sodje although I suspect Parky might be looking for the fox-in-the-box strike partner for either of them. Interestingly, Sky are suggesting this could be a surprise signing. That really would be a morale-booster and long overdue.

That would leave us short of just goal-keeping cover and we do have Andy Marshall on trial at the moment and he would fit the bill if he's affordable and prepared to pay second fiddle.