Joe Duncan targets Jamaica spot after Southend start

Southend United goalkeeper Joe Duncan is targeting a call-up to the Jamaica national team after a strong start to his loan spell. The Bristol City loanee revealed his international ambitions during a pre-match press conference this week.

Duncan has been a key part of Southend's perfect opening to the National League season. The Blues have won all three of their matches, scoring seven goals and conceding just two. That form has them sitting second in the table, just one point behind leaders Boreham Wood with a goal difference of +5.

Joe Duncan's primary target is to represent Jamaica at senior level. He received an under-23 call-up previously, which has fuelled his desire to make the full squad. "It's a massive target for me," Duncan said. "A lot of family are Jamaican so it makes it a special thing for a lot of people around me."

His family connections to the Caribbean nation provide strong personal motivation. The young keeper believes his performances for Southend can provide the platform needed to catch the selectors' attention. A consistent run in the Blues' starting lineup is seen as the best route to achieving that dream.

The goalkeeper's start at Roots Hall has been impressive. He kept a clean sheet in the season opener against Scunthorpe United and followed it with a key penalty save against Solihull Moors. That save provided a significant confidence boost at an early stage of his loan.

"I think it's pretty much been the perfect start," Duncan stated. "Three wins on the bounce, you can't really ask for much more." His contributions have been vital to Southend's defensive record, which is among the best in the division after three games. Fans can track the team's defensive stats on our stats page.

Attention now turns to the next fixture at Roots Hall. Southend host Kidderminster Harriers in an evening match this week, looking to maintain their 100% record. The team's current standing offers a solid foundation for their promotion ambitions this season.

Duncan feels settled off the pitch too, having moved into a new place with teammates Rayan and Coco. That domestic stability is helping his performances. The squad's depth and current form can be viewed on our squad page.

Southend's strong start has them well positioned in the early title race. With nine points from three games, they are firmly in the automatic promotion conversation. The table below shows their current standing compared to the immediate competition.

The full league standings are available on our standings page. Maintaining this form will be essential as the season develops, with every point valuable in a tight division. Duncan's continued development between the posts will be a significant factor in Southend's ability to sustain their challenge at the top end of the National League.