Cox is oozing confidence, says Southend boss Chris Powell

Posted Sunday, October 14, 2018 by PA

Simon Cox is playing with confidence and Southend manager Chris Powell could not be happier for the striker.

Cox bagged a brace in five second-half minutes as the Shrimpers claimed a 2-0 win at Gillingham to make it five games unbeaten in League One and move into the top 10 in the process.

The first was a deflected, curling effort while the second was more composed – not that his manager minds how they come.

“Coxy could have had a hat-trick – he was excellent. Confidence is a big thing for a striker and he is at the top of his game at the moment,” said Powell.

“It doesn’t matter how they go in. He is believing in himself and that should mean the goals will continue to flow.

“That was a really good performance. I think the key was staying in the game in the first half.

“I was pleased at the break because I felt we had seen what Gillingham are about, but we hadn’t shown what we were about yet.

“I just said to the lads, ‘turn up the volume a bit’ at the start of the second half, and it was in that little period where we won the game.

“We are just quietly going about our business, doing our work, and that’s how I like it. We’re in the top 10 now and hopefully we can kick on.”

The home side’s best efforts came from distance, with Tom Eaves testing Mark Oxley from 30 yards before Callum Reilly fizzed a shot narrowly wide from similar range.

But those first-half efforts were in vain following Cox’s double salvo, with Eaves wasting two efforts while Mark Byrne and Bradley Garmston could also have scored.

For Steve Lovell, the feeling of failure was all too familiar, with his Gills side languishing just a point above the relegation zone.

“I’m really disappointed with that one. For long spells we were on it, but we have to say that two moments of madness have cost us,” boss Lovell said.

“We have to learn to take our chances when they come. In a game like this, the windy conditions are a huge factor.

“I can’t fault any of my players for effort because I feel they all put a shift in. It just wasn’t our day.

“We have to stop giving stupid goals away, though, because that is what has ultimately cost us. I thought we looked a bit anxious all over the pitch.

“There’s no need to be anxious because we have showed that we are a good team in this league.

“Ultimately, though, you have to say that Southend deserved their win. They took their goals well, but we have to defend as a team a whole lot better.”