A NEW season is about to get underway and as usual there’s real excitement and a buzz around the place along with a bit of nervousness and tension.

All sorts of things start to go through your head and I still haven’t got my stock in place which is why there’s some apprehension to a certain extent.

My first 11 I’m convinced will be a success but I can only really get 11 out there at the moment and if there are injuries further down the line we might be in a bit of trouble.

We’re working hard on bringing people in and I met with another striker yesterday afternoon.

Echo:

Phil Brown - confident

I feel as though we’ll definitely have one player in before the weekend and maybe even two.

Pre-season has gone well but the injuries we’ve picked up have been the only down side.

Losing Michael Timlin to a hamstring injury was a blow but he’s working very hard in the gym and has a habit of coming back earlier than expected from injuries so hopefully that can happen again.

Nile Ranger is probably a week away from staking his claim to play but it’s not such good news for Anthony Wordsworth.

He had an injection to try and cure his hamstring injury but it still seems as though he will need the operation which is going to keep him out for five to six weeks.

Echo:

New signing - Nile Ranger

WELCOME NILE RANGER

WE’VE officially signed Nile Ranger until the end of the season now and I think he’s a rare commodity at this level.

He gets himself into unusual positions for a big fella and reminds me of Emmanuel Adebayor in the way he plays.

Nile has played in the Premier League as well but he’s in the wasteland of League One at this moment in time because of off the field activities.

Hopefully we’ve taken him down the right path and that can continue because he’s a good footballer.

However, he’s going to get tested by off the field activities and on the field activities, referees and the opposition this season.

All sorts of things will be thrown at him and he has to make sure he stays with the moment and plays the football I know he can.

But he will also have to battle to get into the side because David Mooney and Simon Cox look like starting on Saturday and they really do seem to be on the same wavelength.

Echo:

Spot on - Simon Cox 

PREDICTION TIME

AT THIS time of year people like to pick who is going to finish where but I’m not going to make any bold predictions about our chances.

We just want to be at the right end of the table.

Looking elsewhere, I think the three that came down from the Championship – MK Dons, Charlton, and Bolton – will challenge along with Sheffield United and Bradford City.

There have been some changes in management at this level but you never know what will happen.

Bolton and Charlton certainly won’t be far off but they have got to get their house in order.

If they’ve done that off the field then they will get it right on it and we will see some massive crowds at this level.

There are some big challenges ahead but if we can bring our best game to the table hopefully we can be up with them too.

Echo: Sunderland have given FA permission to speak to Sam Allardyce about England job

New England boss - Sam Allardyce

>LOTS of people have been asking me about Sam Allardyce and England since he got the job but I’m only focusing on Southend.

I’m delighted for Sam though, he’s waited long and hard for this opportunity and I don’t think the smile will be wiped off his face.

I left him a message but I’ve left it at that.

He’s untouchable now he’s England manager but hopefully we’ll see him at Roots Hall this season – watching Ryan Leonard or Mark Oxley perhaps!