Trialist Jerome Thomas played the first 72 minutes as a Town XI, featuring several senior players, drew 1-1 with Southend in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Playford Road this afternoon. Irish U18 international Shane McLoughlin netted for the Blues on 85, before one-time Town loanee Tyrone Barnett equalised for the League One side.

TWTD was first to reveal that free agent Thomas, 32, was training with the Blues on Wednesday, the former Arsenal, Charlton and West Brom winger having been released by Crystal Palace last summer.

Also involved for Town this afternoon were Jay Tabb, Luke Varney - who created McLoughlin’s goal - Kevin Foley, Piotr Malarczyk, Giles Coke and Larsen Touré.

Former Blue Noel Hunt played the first half for the Shrimpers, who switched their entire XI at the break.

U21s: Henly, Foley, Malarczyk, Digby, Kenlock (Robinson 75), Thomas (Hammond 72), McDonnell (McLoughlin 50), Coke, Tabb, Touré, Varney. Unused: Henshall, Guldbrandsen.

Photo: Action Images

TractorCam added 17:33 - Jan 29 If i was at this game i would not had let Noel Hunt leave
1

muhrensleftfoot added 17:39 - Jan 29 There are not many Under 21's in the U21's !
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boroughblue added 17:39 - Jan 29 just proves how bad players like tabb and coke are if they cant contribute to a under 21 game. Also dissapointing that henshall cant even get a look in.
1

jas0999 added 17:57 - Jan 29 Surely we can do better?
3

blueherts added 17:57 - Jan 29 How is McDONNELL doing ?? Heard so many good things about prior to him joining !! He is a 'footballing midfielder' - dont we need one of those - young maybe , but talented ?
2

runningout added 18:10 - Jan 29 didn't mention is was a U21 game, and you should be aware by now U21 are never made up of all under the age of 21.. That aside if we cannot win these games, change is a must
2

HarryS_H added 18:24 - Jan 29 If any of you read above it says friendly between town 11 and Southend... Never was the term U21 used... The point of that match was to give senior players some game time and some youngsters a bit of experience and being able to play a league 1 team is good for all involved
2

therein61 added 18:24 - Jan 29 The youngsters at our club are expected to work their nuts off to show they are worth consideration by training well be good eggs amongst the squad and bow to the manager!! after that they spend Saturday afternoons with bugger all to do apart from watch people in the 1st team go through the motions week in week out and never in danger of getting some minutes on the pitch, people complain about footballers just taking their money and sitting on their backsides but at Portman Road the poor sods have no option no wonder so many are leaving and none coming in, we are becoming a club that no player appears to want to come to and that comes from the very top down to the manager, are we a Masonic lodge behind the badge!!?????

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martleshamitfc added 18:33 - Jan 29 And Henshall still cannot get on!!
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dav86 added 19:08 - Jan 29 I think you'll find Alex henshall has gone
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Fixed_It added 19:35 - Jan 29 Henshall was on the bench. As good as gone - but not actually gone.
0

afrodids added 20:36 - Jan 29 jamie Cureton is banging in the goals atm maybe we should sign him, he's only 40!!
2

StowTractorBoy added 22:47 - Jan 29 Can't understand what people on here see in Henshall he has never been good enough from the first day he got here. Just taken the Club a long time to realise it. He will be gone soon I am sure.
1

warktheline added 23:00 - Jan 29 To put things into context, trialist Thomas at Ipswich, Rhodes looks set for Boro in 9 million switch!!!
4

BrettenhamBlue added 23:30 - Jan 29 Most of the Southend squad were reserve members. Impressive that they were able to switch their entire first 11 at the break. We couldn't do that as not enough players. Honestly doubt Thomas will get a deal
0

sidtheswan added 07:10 - Jan 30 Nearly a full strength FA Cup team ! Might as well have a game as most of them won't be playing until the 1st round of the league cup next year .
1

cooper442 added 08:01 - Jan 30 U21s no ,more like a sub standard dads army ..
0

Currie10 added 09:26 - Jan 30 Henshall is a weird one. I was at Derby away last season when Bishop was utterly superb, Bru looked lost, McGoldrick deal had just not gone through. Also, second half Mings and Henshall looked very decent down the left. No idea what's up with the lad - Really, if he had any ambition and backed himself he would do the same as Tommy Oar and get on with his career. The fact he's not and isn't even getting a minute in the under 21s suggests to me he's on quite a decent penny at us as he doesn't seem remotely interested in hunting around for a new deal. Oh well, he'll be non-league in 2/3 years.

2

TimmyH added 12:27 - Jan 30 See Birmingham bought Barinni in for £1.5M and Ryan Shotton on loan whilst Will Buckley's loan has been extended - looks like they're ambitious on trying to make the play-offs...unfortunately we're standing still or going backwards!
3

oldegold added 13:07 - Jan 30 Must admit to having a strong pang of jealousy when I think that Colchester are playing Sours in the 4th round of the FA Cup whilst we were dumped unceremoniously by a second division team as our manager wanted to "rest "our players so they could surrender 0-3 to promotion rivals. We don0t need any more aging 30 year old cast offs - why isn't McCarthy promoting more players through the youth system instead of getting other cast offs like Foley and Rigby?What's happening to our youth ssytem..?

3

righty added 15:57 - Jan 30 I would like to tell Thomas don't sign because if you are any good McCarthy won't play you
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maninashed added 13:37 - Jan 31 Are Fraser and Sears to name but two no good then?
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