VOTING is now open to pick the centre-backs in Southend United’s team of decade.

After finalising the goalkeeper and right-back, attention now turns to the heart of the defence.

And, after collating a number of opinions among Blues fans on social media, a shortlist of five has been drawn up.

Shrimpers legend Adam Barrett seems favourite to be selected in one of the two berths.

 

The defender returned to Roots Hall for a second spell in January 2015 and helped his home-town club win promotion via the League Two play-offs.

Barrett thundered home a penalty in the shoot-out success against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley and made 65 appearances during his second spell with Blues which ended in February 2017.  

Also on the shortlist is Bilel Mohsni who made 80 appearances for the Shrimpers during an eventful spell at Roots Hall.  Mohsni lined up in a number of varying roles with Blues but the majority of his games, especially early on, came at the heart of the back four.

Mohsni went on to feature further forward and is remembered for having a short temper.

Third on the shortlist for the voting is Adam Thompson.

The centre-back joined Blues, initially on loan, in August 2013 before going on to make the move permanent the following January.

Thompson improved throughout his spell with the Shrimpers and made 120 appearances for the club in total before he left to join Bury in the summer of 2017.

Mark Phillips has also made the shortlist for the final five after also enjoying a fine spell with Blues. Phillips suffered an injury ravaged first season with the Shrimpers but fought back well to become a key figure and was voted player of the year for the 2011/12 season.

Phillips made 112 appearances for the Shrimpers and netted 13 goals.  The final defender to make the shortlist is Ryan Cresswell. 

The towering centre-back made 54 appearances for Blues during the 2012/13 campaign before moving on.