Nick, I can see where you are coming from. IMO Eastwood is undoubtedly talented, which makes the whole sad situation even more frustrating.
However we must remember he is scoring in the old 4th division. Word gets out quickly in the football world if it was just a case of a personality clash with thorn then another championship club or division 1 club would have taken a chance on him. Perhaps it is a case that his skill is good enough to carry him, in the bottom tier of the football league. Southend may accept his fitness level as he is that much more talented than any other player they have. His skill may get him that extra bit of space to shoot.
I think if he was training hard at cov and was at the right fitness level then there is no way he would not have replied to thorns public criticism of him. He stayed very quite about suggesting to me thorn was right. Each division you go up the fitness levels step up. How do you deal with it as a manager if you draw a line a minimum standard you require and one person refuses to do it. You know they can do it but they refuse due to attitude and laziness. How do you look if you pick him anyway.