Southend United expert backs James Golding for EFL loan
JAMES Golding has been backed to secure a first Football League loan after impressing while at Southend United this season.
The 20-year-old Oxford United defender spent the first half of the campaign with Vanarama National League side Maidenhead United and then switched to the Shrimpers in December.
He played 14 times in the National League for Southend, scoring three goals, however a groin injury ruled him out from the end of March, so he therefore missed out as the Shrimpers battled to the play-off final, where they were beaten in extra-time by Oldham Athletic at Wembley.
Golding made his U’s debut in October 2021, and has played nine times for the club across all competitions, including two starts in Sky Bet League One.
Alongside fellow United academy graduate Josh Johnson, he signed a new contract with the club at the end of May.
We caught up with the Southend Echo’s Shrimpers reporter Chris Phillips to get the lowdown on how Golding fared at Roots Hall.
How would you rate James Golding’s time at the club overall?
James was excellent for Southend. It was a real blow when he got the injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
I think all Southend fans would love to him back here next season but probably realise it’s quite unlikely given the potential he showed while at Roots Hall.
What were his main strengths and weaknesses?
To be honest, there’s been so much drama in Southend’s games in recent weeks it already seems about a year since James played for us.
His main strengths would definitely be his ability to bring the ball out from the back. I think that’s what made him stand out. He also chipped in with a few goals before he got injured.
Weaknesses? I don’t remember too many at all to be honest but think there were a couple of times he lost his man from a corner who scored. He’s a very good player though.
What do you think the next step should be for the defender?
To keep playing and developing. If he’s not going to involved for Oxford, then maybe another loan to a club in League Two or League One would be good for him.
The 27-year-old defender arrived at Oxford United following earlier spells in non-league with Bedfont Sports and Wealdstone, plus a stint with Cardiff City in Sky Bet Championship.
It was only in January 2018 when Brown joined the Bluebirds that he was able to play professionally full-time, while he had three loan periods with Livingston and one with the U’s prior to joining United on a permanent basis in June 2022.
Brown said: “Everyone’s route is difficult, but I think I’ve had a lot more hurdles. Some people take a few games and prove that they’re good, but for some reason, I have to play two and a half seasons to prove that I’m at this level.
