Southend United's new first team coach Stewart Robson is already enjoying getting to grips with his Roots Hall role.
The 38-year-old, who played in the top-flight as both a defender and midfielder with Arsenal, West Ham and Coventry City, officially began his job with the Third Division club on Monday.
And the former England under-21 captain -- who was robbed of the chance of winning a full cap, including a place in the Mexico '86 World Cup squad, by pelvic and cruciate ligament injuries -- is looking forward to making his mark on the training pitch.
Stewart Robson - a man on a mission Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
"The club has got a decent training ground for a ThirdDivision club and I have been impressed with the players, who have worked very hard," said Robson, who had previously coached at Wimbledon.
"I saw some good stuff from them, as well as some not very good stuff, but their attitude and application has been tremendous.
"The players at Southend are very enthusiastic and there is obviously a lot of quality in the squad.
"We need to work on our cleverness around the box, the quality of the balls from back to front and even look at how the goalkeeper's distribution plays its part in our build up.
"It also comes down to working with players on their individual skills. And at this level especially, with less money to splash around, you have to try and improve players through coaching and get the best out of them."
Having only ever played in the old Division One and coached in the current day equivalent with Wimbledon for six years, Robson is confident his methods will bear fruit in the basement league.
"I think the players will enjoy my sessions, which will be of a high tempo and intensity," he added.
"It won't all be fitness and football. There will be a lot of specific work on certain areas in competitive situations, such as the forwards playing against the defenders.
"I'll also be holding afternoon sessions with different parts of the team. But you have to be careful just how much you do as we only have a small squad here."
More on Southend United FC
What are your views on Southend? Have your say on our Views on the Blues bulletin board.
Published Thursday, January 23, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article