Strevens: I'd play for Waddock again (From This Is Local London)

Strevens: I'd play for Waddock again

12:33pm Wednesday 26th September 2012 in Latest Sport By Andy Carswell

BEN Strevens says he would be more than happy to play for Gary Waddock again.

The former Wanderers striker said he was shocked at hearing the news Waddock had been dismissed as Blues boss after Saturday's 1-0 loss to AFC Wimbledon.

Strevens, now with top of the table Gillingham after being released by Waddock in the summer, believes it won't be long before he's back in a manager's dugout somewhere.

The 32-year-old told the Bucks Free Press: "I'd most definitely play for him again. I'm very happy where I am at the moment and I've got a good relationship with the manager, but I've got the highest regard for Gary and I don't think there will be too many saying too different to me. They'll all be interested in playing for him again."

He and fellow ex-Blue Lewis Montrose heard the news of Waddock's sacking on the Gillingham team coach on the way home from their 2-0 win at Port Vale, which put them six points clear at the top of League Two.

Strevens said: "We were both quite shocked, both disappointed for him. I sent him a text on Saturday evening saying sorry he's lost his job.

"He was good with me over the summer. During pre-season he let me come back in for training while I found a club. I had a good relationship with him.

"He was always fair with each and every one of us. He never hammered any of the players, he was a good all-round guy. I'm sure he'll be back in the game soon."

During his time in charge at Adams Park Waddock signed several players who used to be at his former club Aldershot Town, but Strevens said that was a reflection on how highly he was thought of as a manager.

He said: "I certainly enjoyed playing for him. If you look at the players he signed, they are players he's managed before. He had a good relationship with the players."

And Strevens said that, given more time, Waddock would have turned Wanderers' fortunes around.

He said: "I genuinely believe that, not just because he was my old manager.

"He lost some very important players with injury. Sam Wood started the season brilliantly and got injured against ourselves, he made Blooms [Matt Bloomfield] vice captain and he got injured.

"Results haven't been what they would have liked but he's a good enough manager to turn it around."