Replacement for Barnard found at last

In a 2010 of near unremitting woe, there have been few bright spots for Southend United fans. One of those exceptions however appears to be the form of Scott Spencer.

The young forward signed from Rochdale appears to be the perfect replacement for departed goal-scoring superstar hero, Lee Barnard. Spencer has banged in a goal every 128 minutes.

That's the type of goalscoring form that could soon see him dubbed as the new Lee Barnard.

And the similarities don't end there. Spencer, like Barnard, joined in the January transfer window and has Premiership pedigree, courtesy of his time at Everton. Barnard was of course on Spurs' books prior to his move to Roots Hall where he enjoyed (or endured) an injury hit 18 months before blossoming in the final 6 months of his contract year and leaving on a knock-down fee.

So Spencer, who has only once managed to complete 90 minutes since joining in the transfer window, can officially be crowned the poor man's Barnard (and boy, are Southend poor at the moment, both off and on the pitch) when injury today ruled him out for the rest of the season.