Powell praises Humphrys after loanee leads Southend to big victory

Chris Powell praised two-goal debutant Stephen Humphrys as Southend thrashed lowly Bradford 4-0 in what the manager described as their “best performance of the season”.

On-loan Fulham striker Humphrys, who spent the first half of the season with Scunthorpe, scored two second-half goals after joining Southend this week, but Powell revealed that it was only on the morning of the match that the Football Association confirmed he could play.

He said: “Sometimes you ask players to do a job they cannot do. The way I want to play you need a presence and I thought Stephen gave the other front boys a lift.

“You couldn’t ask for more from a player making his debut. I though this third goal was better than his fourth because he had a lot to do.”

Powell, who substituted Humphrys in the 75th minute, three minutes after he scored his second and Southend’s fourth goal, said: “He wanted to stay on for his hat-trick, but with the intensity of the game I wanted him to be ready for next week against Luton. Maybe he can go one further next week.

“Today was our best performance of the season. I thought we got our preparation, the shape of the team and our tactics right. All we can do is to do it again next week against a good Luton side.”

Southend had the perfect start, going in front after 72 seconds with a superb strike from Simon Cox when Paul Caddis’s attempted interception fell into his path

Skipper Sam Mantom increased their lead in the 26th minute with equally good shot – from 25 yards out – after the home defence failed to clear a throw-in.

Goalkeeper Nathan Bishop made a point-blank save to keep out a close-range header from striker George Miller – Bradford’s only effort on target – and a minute later Southend made it 3-0.

Humphrys robbed defender Anthony O’Connor and took the ball around keeper Richard O’Donnell before coolly slotting it into the net.

Humphrys then added a fourth in the 72nd minute after cutting in from the right.

Bradford were booed off the field at half-time and at the end of the match

Manager David Hopkin admitted: “We were second best. I thought Southend did a job on us and deserved the three points. We didn’t get to grips with the game nor did we get a foothold in the game. Credit to them, they ensured our front players didn’t get any service.

“Their keeper made a great save from George Miller at 2-0, but this is a reality check for everyone at the club. We need to make sure the players stay focused.

“I am disappointed with the performance, but we will make sure the players are up for next week’s match at Burton.”