Kevin Maher.

[BluePartridge]

Was just wondering why Maher isn't far more respected as a Southend player, with the whole singing his name etc. After all he has been at the club for a long time now (Not the best years but still) and is a talented enough player.:;):

Seems strange to me that we don't worship at the altar of Maher, not saying that anyone should (I don't particularly) just curious.

 

[fbm]

Quote[/b] (BluePartridge @ April 05 2006,14:11)]After all he has been at the club for a long time now (Not the best years but still)

I think thats pretty much it. there were many that were of the opinion that Maher was the reason we hadn't progressed as there was too much reliance and emphasis on him and if the opposition stopped him playing, they pretty much stopped us playing. I was firmly in that camp.

It isn't that Maher isn't any good; he is a fine player, but is definitely one of those where his contributions are not as easily or spectacularly measured by goals or dazzling skill. He also has the knack of managing toi talk himself into about 10 bookings a year, which is pretty annoying for supporters. ORM will disagree of course, but my point is that he has been on the transfer list twice in his career here and no-one has come in for him so he can't be that good.

That said, he has been superb for much of this year. I feel having better quality in the squad enables him to find the outlets and set up attacks much more regularly, and the extra time on the ball makes him look pretty good.

If we go up it will be interesting to see how he fares at an even higher level..

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

Quote[/b] ]If we go up it will be interesting to see how he fares at an even higher level.

If he can play well in championship, he would be in running for a call up by Rep. Of Ireland.

 

[londonblue]

Quote[/b] (fbm @ April 05 2006,14:32)]ORM will disagree of course, but my point is that he has been on the transfer list twice in his career here and no-one has come in for him so he can't be that good.

That simply isn't true. He was not on the transfer list at all. In fact, when we were in serious trouble Orient tried to buy him......twice. On both occasions he turned them down to stay with us.

Moreover, Sheffield Wednesday were also sniffing aroud, but he also wasn't interested in them.

That to me says a lot about his attitude. We are all prepared to vilify players like Constantine and Rawle for leaving, but not appreciate the loyalty shown by Maher.

To say that he can't be that good because no-one wanted him (even though it isn't true) is also a very poor argument. Nearly every team we play against, cite him as the player that makes SUFC tick. To say he can't be that good because he is the player all the other teams believe needs cancelling out is a rather twisted way of looking at things. We should see that as a sign that he is indeed a very good player.

 

[Leeboy]

Quote[/b] (londonblue @ April 05 2006,15:42)]Moreover, Sheffield Wednesday were also sniffing aroud, but he also wasn't interested in them.

that was Agent talk to get him an improved contract

 

[On the Boardwalk]

Quote[/b] (BluePartridge @ April 05 2006,14:11)]Was just wondering why Maher isn't far more respected as a Southend player,

Because there are an awful lot of fans who haven't the first clue about football. I cringe at some of the comments I hear shouted during the game (not just re Maher)

 

[londonblue]

Quote[/b] (Leeboy @ April 05 2006,15:45)]

Quote[/b] (londonblue @ April 05 2006,15:42)]Moreover, Sheffield Wednesday were also sniffing aroud, but he also wasn't interested in them.

that was Agent talk to get him an improved contract

If that's the case why did he say he wasn't interested? Once he says that his agent can talk all he likes and it will make no difference.

Unless you're privy to what went on between Maher, his agent and SW I would suggest that this is your opinion rather than fact?

 

[* ORM *]

I'm saying now't

 

[Leeboy]

Quote[/b] (londonblue @ April 05 2006,15:49)]Unless you're privy to what went on between Maher, his agent and SW I would suggest that this is your opinion rather than fact?

likewise yourself Londonblue.

 

[* ORM *]

Surely we need feedback from Napster. He always knows something we don't.

 

[silentshrimper]

Wasnt hull looking at him as well?

Always been a fan of him, I have a shrine.

 

[J]

Quote[/b] (BluePartridge @ April 05 2006,14:11)]Was just wondering why Maher isn't far more respected as a Southend player, with the whole singing his name etc. After all he has been at the club for a long time now (Not the best years but still) and is a talented enough player.:;):

Seems strange to me that we don't worship at the altar of Maher, not saying that anyone should (I don't particularly) just curious.

i totally agree, the way he benefits the other teams we play is great..

 

[Uncle Leo]

He's developed in to a fine player, but for too long in his Southend career he looked a bit pedestrian. That will colour people's views of him (it still does mine, I must admit).

He's also not the sort of player who gets the crowd going. No brilliant finishes like Freddy, no barnstorming attitude à la Barrett, no catchy song in the vein of Goater.

I'm not denying he's a vital cog, but much of what he does is 'unglamorous' and as such often goes unrecognised.

 

[bring-back-N'Diaye]

Quote[/b] (londonblue @ April 05 2006,15:49)]

Quote[/b] (Leeboy @ April 05 2006,15:45)]

Quote[/b] (londonblue @ April 05 2006,15:42)]Moreover, Sheffield Wednesday were also sniffing aroud, but he also wasn't interested in them.

that was Agent talk to get him an improved contract

If that's the case why did he say he wasn't interested? Once he says that his agent can talk all he likes and it will make no difference.

Unless you're privy to what went on between Maher, his agent and SW I would suggest that this is your opinion rather than fact?

It was like when Darryl was out of contract.

To try and make out that he was in great demand, Darryl's agent started the rumour that Havant & Waterlooville were interested in talking to him as they needed a reserve keeper.

Similarly Orient's interest has coincedentally come about only when wages were being discussed and the club needed some encouragement to adjust the offer on the table.

 

[londonblue]

Quote[/b] (Leeboy @ April 05 2006,15:57)]

Quote[/b] (londonblue @ April 05 2006,15:49)]Unless you're privy to what went on between Maher, his agent and SW I would suggest that this is your opinion rather than fact?

likewise yourself Londonblue.

Correct, but what I mentioned was that it was mentioned that they were interested, i.e. sniffing around. I didn't offer an opinion on that.

 

[number11]

I think most of it is done to fans having a very limited, or un-sophisticated view on football. As someone alluded to earlier in this thread, he doesnt bang in 30 yard screamers, charge round the pitch, have fancy tricks etc. Oh, and also he is not very handsome

His main limitation is his lack of pace, which can make him look a little pedestrian at times.....but then, to alter a quote, if he had pace he wouldnt be playing for us...he would be much much higher.

He got off to a bad start with us, but he was a youngster in a struggling side. The type of player he is, always giving an option and spreading play, requires him being fed by the teammates, and then other players getting into positions to receive the pass from him....so it's no coincidence his performances have picked up as the team has got better.

He is a vital cog in our team at the moment....he always looks to give options when he have a throw....and he looks to get it to his feet so he can spread play rather then merely standing down the line for a hopefully flick. When he has the ball he is always looking for the ball wide to stretch the opposition...basically fulfills a kind of quarter back role for the team....

certainly done more in his career at Roots Hall then other 'legends' Tes and Drew....

Oh and all this 'clause in his contract that he is captain and cant be subbed',......absoolute nonesense...

 

[fbm]

Quote[/b] (londonblue @ April 05 2006,15:42)]

Quote[/b] (fbm @ April 05 2006,14:32)]ORM will disagree of course, but my point is that he has been on the transfer list twice in his career here and no-one has come in for him so he can't be that good.

That simply isn't true. He was not on the transfer list at all. In fact, when we were in serious trouble Orient tried to buy him......twice. On both occasions he turned them down to stay with us.

Moreover, Sheffield Wednesday were also sniffing aroud, but he also wasn't interested in them.

That to me says a lot about his attitude. We are all prepared to vilify players like Constantine and Rawle for leaving, but not appreciate the loyalty shown by Maher.

To say that he can't be that good because no-one wanted him (even though it isn't true) is also a very poor argument. Nearly every team we play against, cite him as the player that makes SUFC tick. To say he can't be that good because he is the player all the other teams believe needs cancelling out is a rather twisted way of looking at things. We should see that as a sign that he is indeed a very good player.

I disagree.

I am almost 100% certain that I remember him being listed twice by previous managers.  On each occasion it was to do with contract negotiations and his name was circulated on the transfer list but as far as I know there was never any real interest.

He was actually also rumoured to be signing for Orient when he, Flahavan and Cort (I think) were stalling over contracts.  Then hey, presto the Carlton TV deal went belly up and surprise surprise, agents suddenly advised any of their clients to accept any deal that happened to be on the table.  All transfers were off and the 3 contract stallers re-signed.

I remember all 3 being booed prior to a home game when it was all going on because of their refusal to sign and desire to look elsewhere for a better deal.

 

[fbm]

Ok, it may have only been once he's been listed. This is an excerpt from the Little Gazettes profile...

However, he was once put on the transfer list and almost hounded out of Roots Hall by the fans, and too often does not stamp his authority on the day’s fixture. One thing is for certain about the committed midfielder whether you like Maher or not – he has been a permanent fixture in the side.

 

[Kris]

I think it's ridiculous to talk about Kevin Maher's form when he first joined the club - he was young and inexperienced then and therefore a totally different player. As it is, he's grown in stature the longer he's spent at Roots Hall and is now arguably our most vital player because our game plan is built around him. It's true to say that opposition managers are aware of this and try to stop him playing but how many times are they successful? Not many on the evidence of the last two seasons. Why? Because Maher is an extemely intelligent player and has the uncanny ability of finding himself space to receive the ball.

The problem is that many fans only seem to appreciate the 'glory' side of football - i.e. lung bursting runs, tricky dribbling and spectacular 30-yard strikes into the top corner. But football is also about perfecting the 'ugly' and 'unspectacular' side - the blocks, the simple pass, the interception; all successful aspects of Maher's game that largely go unnoticed and unappreciated.

Look at Claude Makelele. Probably the best holding midfielder in the world and yet how many times do you see him nominated among the world's best players? The likes of Frank Lampard and Joe Cole get the glory for their incisive attacking movements and goals but the truth is Chelsea would be a much poorer side without Makelele - and have Madrid won a trophy since he left them?

Obviously I'm not saying Maher is in the same class as Makelele but at our level he's just as vital to our team. Without him I don't think we'd be where we are today.

 

[RobM.]

Maher is so bad that every manager we have had since he signed has put him in the team.

That's why we do the jobs we do and are not football managers.

I said on this forum years ago that Maher was/is a great player. I got slated for that.

I still stand by that statement.

OK he's not Freddy Eastwood. But No Maher - No Southend. Fact exact.
He's a team player and apparently a decent bloke to boot.

Kevin Maher - I Salute You!