Mark Molesley's first press conference as Southend United boss

Here is his interview with the written press in full. 

It took a little while to get over the line but how happy are you now that everything has been sorted and you’re now manager of Southend United?

“It’s a fantastic football club and I’m really excited by the challenge. I’m delighted to be here.”

You had jobs at Weymouth and Bournemouth which were going well so was coming to Southend a tough decision to make?

“It’s always difficult. This is a fantastic opportunity but it’s been difficult to say goodbye to two fantastic football clubs and people I’ve known for a while.

"I’m leaving great clubs and great people but I think I’m joining a fantastic club too and I’m very excited by this challenge.”

What made you want to come here?

“It’s not every day a club of this stature approaches you to be their manager and trusts you with that. I’m immensely proud to be standing here and I’ll be working hard every day to make sure we do the best we can.”

Obviously it’s a huge challenge. The club has well documented troubles on and off the pitch. Did you have to look into everything before accepting the job?

“There are always challenges at every football club. It’s not going to be easy and if it was maybe the opportunity wouldn’t have come up.

"The chairman has shown a lot of faith in me and I’ll be doing everything I can to keep him happy and not let anyone down.”

Pleased to be here - new Blues boss Mark Molesley

Have you had any assurances about transfers and being able to strengthen the squad?

“The first step is to get in and assess the squad. I’ve been on the training pitch today to take training which was great. It’s what we enjoy and obviously what we’re here for.

"We’re going to enjoy working with this exciting young group. We’ll assess where we’re at and then put our assumptions to the powers that be and see where we go from there.

"We’re inheriting a very good young team but times have been hard in the last couple of years and there’s no hiding that. I think we can make some changes but we will be built on the training ground.

"We want to create an environment where the players will play the best they possibly can. To make that happen we need a culture and a good environment.

"For that we need strong foundations and to do that you have to expose some cracks. We have to try and improve things and that includes the environment. It’s not necessarily about changing the team up.

"We have to make this a place where the players can play the best they can.”

One of the players you already know well is Brandon Goodship. Is he one you have high hopes for?

“Brandon is no stranger to me. I worked with him at Bournemouth and I took him to Weymouth where he had a very good goalscoring record but there’s more to his game than that.

"People will have seen his goals and think he’s an out and out number nine but I don’t think that’s the case.

"I know how he works and what makes him tick. It’s always nice to know someone already but a lot of the players here have reputations which speak for themselves.

"They’ve done well and the young players got some experience last year which will hopefully help them for next season.”

Talking to the media - new Srimpers boss Mark Molesley

Do we have pre-season games lined up to play?

“Yes. The people who were in before managed to put some games in which is great. It’s coming thick and fast.

"The Carabao Cup is the week before the League starts so it’s almost gone from a four week pre-season to a three week pre-season now. It’s not ideal because as a manager you want as much time with your team as you can to prepare them but it’s not an ideal world out there.

"We have to roll with it and make the best of every situation. That’s what we’re here to do.”

Do you have any links to Southend or do you have any memories of the club in the past?

“I’m no stranger to Southend United but I don’t think anyone is because it’s a fantastic club and that’s what attracted me here.

"It was too good to turn down but there will be no outlandish statements from me. We’re here to work hard every single day to improve the club on and off the pitch. It’s a team effort really and almost like a family.

"We want to create a family/community feel. We have to win the hearts and the minds of everyone. Football is quite a demanding game and Rome wasn’t built in a day. But we’re one day in to where we want to go and we’re looking forward to it.”

You’ve brought Tom Prodomo in as your assistant. What qualities does he have?

“Tommy had been my assistant for the past three years at Weymouth. He’s someone I trust and he knows how we work. He knows how to create the environment we want.

"It was important my assistant came with me because he’s someone I know and trust. We knew each other from Bournemouth and we’ve worked well together. We have the same mindset and the same work ethic.”

Determined - Mark Molesley

Will you be looking to bring in any other members of staff?

“Yes, there are a few gaps we need to be filling. We’re looking to change the culture and we need the right people here to be able to do that.

"As weeks go on we will be able to see and assess the situation here and anywhere we think we can improve and add value we always will.”

What are your hopes for this season?

“First and foremost it’s to get a hard-working team which reflects the way we want to play and the people of Southend too. They want to see people work hard for the shirt, see attacking football when we have the ball and hard work when we haven’t.

"There will be no outlandish statements from me but we’re here to build for the future. This is a big football club and we want to take it where it needs to be.”

How will you look to turn the club around?

“We have to change the mentality and to do that you need to work with people and create an environment where players perform the best they can. There’s no set formula but you have to know the players and understand the players and I’m excited to get to do that.

"In terms of recruitment you have to get the right people and the right characters with the right attitudes.

“The young players here have grown up very quickly. It’s through hardships you really grow as a person and Southend has had its fair share of hardships in the last couple of years.

"They need to draw on that experience and use it as a strength. I was on the training field today and the attitude was fantastic but it has to be the same if not better tomorrow.

“We have to constantly keep on looking for ways to be better, that’s our motto.

“We’re under no illusions and we know what we’ve come in to but we’re excited by the challenge.”