Gary Waddock hopes first point is a building block to better things at Southend

Posted Sunday, September 15, 2019 by PA

Gary Waddock has challenged Southend to build on their first point of the season as he started his spell as caretaker manager with an entertaining 3-3 draw against Fleetwood at Roots Hall.

The Shrimpers had been beaten in all six of their League One outings before Kevin Bond departed last week.

And Waddock was happy to help Southend break their duck thanks to Stephen Humphrys’ late equaliser.

“It’s a start and we’ve waited a long time to get ourselves on the board,” said Waddock.

“It was a very difficult game but our lads stuck at it and got their rewards at the end.

“The players showed a great attitude and applied themselves correctly.

“They didn’t drop their heads and they kept going so I’m delighted for everyone.

“This is the first brick but we have to build something and we have to keep doing better.

“I’ve been asked by the chairman to prepare the team but as for Tuesday, who knows?

“I don’t know if there will be an appointment but I’ll keep doing my best until I’m told otherwise.”

Southend opened the scoring in the 17th minute with Stephen McLaughlin curling home a free-kick for his first League goal in 12 months.

However, Jimmy Dunne headed in a 34th-minute equaliser and the visitors took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Josh Morris.

The Shrimpers drew level three minutes into the second half with Humphrys netting a long-range free-kick but Fleetwood restored their lead just four minutes later through with Kyle Dempsey.

The visitors pushed for a fourth – a two-goal win would have sent them top – but Humphrys earned Southend a point.

Fleetwood boss Joey Barton felt his side should have already been out of sight.

“To come away from home and score three goals, looking like scoring 33 goals, and to come away with just a point is disappointing,” said Barton, whose side sit fourth in the table.

“Our lads are sitting in the dressing room feeling like they’ve been beaten, the other team are in there celebrating like they’ve won an FA Cup tie and that’s what late goals against good sides can do.

“Southend have not won a game this season but get their first point on the board and we’re gutted as we should be sitting at the top of the table.

“We were wasteful and we should’ve put the game beyond them with the chances we had.”