Pleased - Southend United boss Kevin Maher
(Image: FOCUS IMAGES)
By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.
KEVIN Maher wants Southend United's fans to get excited by the Shrimpers' push for the play-offs - but stressed he would not be doing likewise at this stage.
Blues' 2-1 win at Eastleigh on Saturday saw Maher's side move to within a point of the top seven.
However, the Blues boss is refusing to look too far ahead.
"It's for the fans to be excited and they should get excited about that but it's up to us to stay calm and go game by game," said Maher.
"I said the other day we had nine cup finals, we've got eight now.
"We've got to keep ticking them off and keep getting points on the board.
"We need to ask questions of the teams above us so we have to keep on training properly, recover the right way and do everything you can to be ready for the games."
The eighth placed Shrimpers are now just a point behind the top seven following Saturday's success at the Silverlake Stadium.
And Maher was thrilled to secure an important victory.
"I'm delighted," said the Blues head coach.
"It was tough there for a period but when you come away from home against a rival you're going to have to defend at times.
"But overall I thought we thoroughly deserved the three points."
The Shrimpers dominated the first half and led 2-0 at the break, courtesy of goals from Tom Hopper and Gus Scott-Morriss.
Hopper's goal came in the opening minute of the match.
And Maher was it provided the perfect platform for Blues to build on.
"It was a great delivery from Morts (James Morton) and I think Hops (Tom Hopper) nearly got on the first one but it just dropped to him and it gave us a great start," said Maher.
"It gave us a great base to work from too."
Hopper was joined on the score-sheet by Scott-Morriss who netted for the 17th time this season.
And Maher admitted it was important to score again before the break.
"To go in 2-0 up was really pleasing," said Maher.
"Leon (Parillon) did brilliantly for the goal and Gus has popped up again to score it so I was really pleased with that.
"It was what we deserved going in at half-time for how we played.
"We didn't give them much at all and we had control of the game."
But Blues did not have things all their own way in the second half with Tyrese Shade scoring 10 minutes after the break.
"We spoke at half-time about doing the basics right because you can imagine they're going to come out fighting in the second half," said Maher.
"What we can't do is do something to give them momentum in the game.
"That goal did it and it was just a loose pass.
"Leon had got the assist so we're saying go on, do it again but it was a loose one, they counter and all of sudden momentum is there.
"They start putting balls in the box and asking questions.
"You've got to deal with it and we did."
kevs blues in the way up
