Evening Echo
The News
ALL the updates from the pre-match interviews ahead of Southend United's clash with Halifax Town at Roots Hall
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Echo News Latest chat with Kevin Maher.
- Thread starter Evening Echo
- Start date
So far: I will update
3:36pm
Just looking at the comments. Thanks for the lovely compliments!
Like to think I'm asking the questions you want answered as Southend is my team too but Nick Bassett and Never Give Up Hope, email me what you want asked and I'll do it now too.
My email is chris.phillips@newsquest.co.uk
3:34pm
The fight is still there I'm sure. Win a couple of games and it soon changes too?
Maher: "I understand the frustration when we don't win.
"Last week against Sittingbourne was a chance to get closer to Wembley which we all would've loved.
"But it's gone you have to park it and move on.
"It's similar to Saturday and I think we would've gone up to ninth if we had won.
"Things have been OK without being brilliant.
"But what you can't do is dwell on it and let it fester into the next game.
"We'll keep working hard and keep being positive.
"Sometimes it's easier to drag down than to drag up.
"It's society in general really and I bet when we lose you get more views and clicks than when we win.
Me: That's true.
Maher: "That tells a story doesn't it but what you've got is people who are giving their all for this club.
"It's not a bad starting point. We're working hard and we're getting better.
"The squad is getting stronger but it doesn't mean it will happen overnight.
"There will be ups and down along the way but we're all pulling in the right direction."
3:28pm
You've been tough times here as a player here so this is nothing new?
"When I first came in people were on my back and I would tell my parents not to come to games.
"It's part and parcel of football but I keep believing in what we doing and I know we're good at our jobs.
"We keep believing it but if people want to question it, no problem.
"We know what we're doing, the players are committed to the cause and we will keep on getting better."
3:23pm
How tough has it been for you in the last few days because there's a lot of noise about you and the players?
"There's a lot of noise around the place and that's where we are as a football club.
"I've got to say this because what we've been through as staff and as a team I will back my players one million per cent.
"Six months we very nearly didn't have a football club.
"We had a consortium paying wages even though they didn't own the club.
"We had staff who didn't leave when they could've done and we had players who didn't leave when they could've done too.
"Now, we're going through a sticky patch and yeah we're not quite where we want to be but that's football.
"What you've got is people who care about the football club.
"What you've got is players who care and what you can't do is ever criticise their effort an application
"I'd never do that with this group.
"Do we lack quality at times? Yeah.
"Do we want to win more? Yeah.
"Can you question tactics when we lose? Yeah.
"That's football but I've been here 10 years as a player and seven years a coach and I know what I'm doing.
"I know the staff know what they're doing and we won't compromise on what we believe in and how hard we work despite some noise around the place.
"My job is to believe in everyone around the club, what the staff are doing and what the consortium are doing.
"We are doing a lot of good things behind the scenes and we want absolutely want to go and get out of this league.
"We've got to keep building the squad which is now a lot better.
"It's easy to forget sometimes and there are short memories in football.
"It's a result business. I get that and I have no problem dealing with that.
"But don't forget what's gone on here. "
3:13pm
And it will be three at the back too?
Maher: "Go through who got out of this league. Wrexham, Notts County, Stockport, Bromley there are others as well.
"There are a number of teams who got out of this league playing a back three.
"If people want to go on about that, it's a result business at the end of the day."
3:10pm
A lot is being spoken about the formation with three up top or two up. The formation on Saturday was three up top wasn't it?
Maher: "Yes it was.
"People might see names on a team-sheet and assume things but we played with three up top, yes.
"Just because it's not three forwards if you want, you can go and watch Barnet and see what they play with.
"If it's one up top if you want to talk that way.
"Halifax are a team who play with two tens and that's what we've done recently too.
"But I think people get caught up in this.
"I'm not stupid and I know people have their own opinions on stuff.
"I will not change how I see the game.
"I'm going to be consistent with the messages we give the players.
"We want to do things better, absolutely.
"But we started with a slight tweak but it wasn't 3-5-2.
"Even when we do play 3-5-2 people think it's a back five but it's not.
"It's a back three because our wing-backs are probably the highest up the pitch.
"People get hung on things based on results.
"Our job is to be analytical on things and what it looks like."
3:05pm
Is there an update on Nathan Harness' future as his loan is up soon?
Maher: "Not at the minute, no.
"We'll speak to MK in the next day or so and see where they're at with it because they've had a couple of things with their goalkeeping department."
3:03pm
Maher: "We've got to perform on the night. Hopefully we'll have a big crowd in and they'll get behind the lads because they need it.
"We want to win more games than we have done in the last couple but we'd been on good form before that.
"We want to take the game to Halifax and make our home turf a really tough place for the opposition to come."
2:59pm
More from Maher on tomorrow's game: "We've got to focus on ourselves. We've got to keep the quality that we've got. We're doing so many good things but we've got to add the last little bit to it.
"That's important and it's important not to lose confidence when you lose a couple of games.
"We've got to keep that belief."
2:58pm
On Collin Andeng Ndi, Maher again confirmed: "It looks like his season is done. It's a grade three on his hamstring so the period of recovery will take him towards the end of the season."
2:57pm
How's Jack Bridge?
Maher: "He hadn't trained or done anything for 10 days.
"He got the all clear on Friday to crack on so it was important he did a session on the pitch on Saturday rather than chucking someone in."
2:56pm
How's Cav Miley?
Maher: "He's done some work on the grass today with John (Gowens).
"That's important and he's a big one for us to get back as soon as possible.
"But we want to get him back and have him stay fit for the rest of the season because he's such a big player for us."
2:53pm
Maher: "Despite what people might think, the players love coming to work and I love coming to work with the players.
"We're in it together."
2:48pm
Asked again about Saturday, Maher says: "We look at the things we did well and we got the ball into the final third an awful lot.
"We've created chances and you can look at the stats.
"We've had more than 20 crosses and the final third entries are really high but the quality has got to be better.
"We need to work the keeper more than we did at the weekend too.
"In terms of our build up and style of play, there is a lot of quality there.
"A lot of players performed well but we've got to get moments right and be better when we get into the final third."
2:46pm
On facing Halifax, Maher says: "First and foremost they have a top manager.
"Milly has done brilliantly with them and even though they lose players they still have an identity and they're organised.
"Their away form is very good and they're such a tough team to play when they're away from home.
"We've always had good games with them and the biggest thing is their organisation, work-rate and honesty.
"They give everyone a tough game."
2:43pm
Maher:" We're disappointed not to get a result on Saturday but it's our job to be analytical about the performance, what it looked like and what we can do better.
"We'll look at the good parts too. We're pleased with where the squad is at and we think we're in a better place now.
"We're looking stronger on the bench so the positives are we had so much of the ball on Saturday. We got to the final third loads but it's that's quality in the final third which has got to improve and we've spoken about that.
"We need to take the tension away from that bit maybe too. There were a lot of positives to take despite the result."
2:40pm
Good to have a game so quickly again?
Maher: "Yes, I think so. We're at the stage of the season where they're coming thick and fast now.
"When you don't win at the weekend it's always nice to go quickly again, especially at home under the lights it's a good one to go and play in as quickly as possible."
2:37pm
Interviews with Nick Hayes and Kevin Maher to come
2:37pm
WE'RE back at Boots & Laces for the pre-match interviews ahead of Southend United's clash with Halifax Town at Roots Hall tonight.
3:36pm
Just looking at the comments. Thanks for the lovely compliments!
Like to think I'm asking the questions you want answered as Southend is my team too but Nick Bassett and Never Give Up Hope, email me what you want asked and I'll do it now too.
My email is chris.phillips@newsquest.co.uk
3:34pm
The fight is still there I'm sure. Win a couple of games and it soon changes too?
Maher: "I understand the frustration when we don't win.
"Last week against Sittingbourne was a chance to get closer to Wembley which we all would've loved.
"But it's gone you have to park it and move on.
"It's similar to Saturday and I think we would've gone up to ninth if we had won.
"Things have been OK without being brilliant.
"But what you can't do is dwell on it and let it fester into the next game.
"We'll keep working hard and keep being positive.
"Sometimes it's easier to drag down than to drag up.
"It's society in general really and I bet when we lose you get more views and clicks than when we win.
Me: That's true.
Maher: "That tells a story doesn't it but what you've got is people who are giving their all for this club.
"It's not a bad starting point. We're working hard and we're getting better.
"The squad is getting stronger but it doesn't mean it will happen overnight.
"There will be ups and down along the way but we're all pulling in the right direction."
3:28pm
You've been tough times here as a player here so this is nothing new?
"When I first came in people were on my back and I would tell my parents not to come to games.
"It's part and parcel of football but I keep believing in what we doing and I know we're good at our jobs.
"We keep believing it but if people want to question it, no problem.
"We know what we're doing, the players are committed to the cause and we will keep on getting better."
3:23pm
How tough has it been for you in the last few days because there's a lot of noise about you and the players?
"There's a lot of noise around the place and that's where we are as a football club.
"I've got to say this because what we've been through as staff and as a team I will back my players one million per cent.
"Six months we very nearly didn't have a football club.
"We had a consortium paying wages even though they didn't own the club.
"We had staff who didn't leave when they could've done and we had players who didn't leave when they could've done too.
"Now, we're going through a sticky patch and yeah we're not quite where we want to be but that's football.
"What you've got is people who care about the football club.
"What you've got is players who care and what you can't do is ever criticise their effort an application
"I'd never do that with this group.
"Do we lack quality at times? Yeah.
"Do we want to win more? Yeah.
"Can you question tactics when we lose? Yeah.
"That's football but I've been here 10 years as a player and seven years a coach and I know what I'm doing.
"I know the staff know what they're doing and we won't compromise on what we believe in and how hard we work despite some noise around the place.
"My job is to believe in everyone around the club, what the staff are doing and what the consortium are doing.
"We are doing a lot of good things behind the scenes and we want absolutely want to go and get out of this league.
"We've got to keep building the squad which is now a lot better.
"It's easy to forget sometimes and there are short memories in football.
"It's a result business. I get that and I have no problem dealing with that.
"But don't forget what's gone on here. "
3:13pm
And it will be three at the back too?
Maher: "Go through who got out of this league. Wrexham, Notts County, Stockport, Bromley there are others as well.
"There are a number of teams who got out of this league playing a back three.
"If people want to go on about that, it's a result business at the end of the day."
3:10pm
A lot is being spoken about the formation with three up top or two up. The formation on Saturday was three up top wasn't it?
Maher: "Yes it was.
"People might see names on a team-sheet and assume things but we played with three up top, yes.
"Just because it's not three forwards if you want, you can go and watch Barnet and see what they play with.
"If it's one up top if you want to talk that way.
"Halifax are a team who play with two tens and that's what we've done recently too.
"But I think people get caught up in this.
"I'm not stupid and I know people have their own opinions on stuff.
"I will not change how I see the game.
"I'm going to be consistent with the messages we give the players.
"We want to do things better, absolutely.
"But we started with a slight tweak but it wasn't 3-5-2.
"Even when we do play 3-5-2 people think it's a back five but it's not.
"It's a back three because our wing-backs are probably the highest up the pitch.
"People get hung on things based on results.
"Our job is to be analytical on things and what it looks like."
3:05pm
Is there an update on Nathan Harness' future as his loan is up soon?
Maher: "Not at the minute, no.
"We'll speak to MK in the next day or so and see where they're at with it because they've had a couple of things with their goalkeeping department."
3:03pm
Maher: "We've got to perform on the night. Hopefully we'll have a big crowd in and they'll get behind the lads because they need it.
"We want to win more games than we have done in the last couple but we'd been on good form before that.
"We want to take the game to Halifax and make our home turf a really tough place for the opposition to come."
2:59pm
More from Maher on tomorrow's game: "We've got to focus on ourselves. We've got to keep the quality that we've got. We're doing so many good things but we've got to add the last little bit to it.
"That's important and it's important not to lose confidence when you lose a couple of games.
"We've got to keep that belief."
2:58pm
On Collin Andeng Ndi, Maher again confirmed: "It looks like his season is done. It's a grade three on his hamstring so the period of recovery will take him towards the end of the season."
2:57pm
How's Jack Bridge?
Maher: "He hadn't trained or done anything for 10 days.
"He got the all clear on Friday to crack on so it was important he did a session on the pitch on Saturday rather than chucking someone in."
2:56pm
How's Cav Miley?
Maher: "He's done some work on the grass today with John (Gowens).
"That's important and he's a big one for us to get back as soon as possible.
"But we want to get him back and have him stay fit for the rest of the season because he's such a big player for us."
2:53pm
Maher: "Despite what people might think, the players love coming to work and I love coming to work with the players.
"We're in it together."
2:48pm
Asked again about Saturday, Maher says: "We look at the things we did well and we got the ball into the final third an awful lot.
"We've created chances and you can look at the stats.
"We've had more than 20 crosses and the final third entries are really high but the quality has got to be better.
"We need to work the keeper more than we did at the weekend too.
"In terms of our build up and style of play, there is a lot of quality there.
"A lot of players performed well but we've got to get moments right and be better when we get into the final third."
2:46pm
On facing Halifax, Maher says: "First and foremost they have a top manager.
"Milly has done brilliantly with them and even though they lose players they still have an identity and they're organised.
"Their away form is very good and they're such a tough team to play when they're away from home.
"We've always had good games with them and the biggest thing is their organisation, work-rate and honesty.
"They give everyone a tough game."
2:43pm
Maher:" We're disappointed not to get a result on Saturday but it's our job to be analytical about the performance, what it looked like and what we can do better.
"We'll look at the good parts too. We're pleased with where the squad is at and we think we're in a better place now.
"We're looking stronger on the bench so the positives are we had so much of the ball on Saturday. We got to the final third loads but it's that's quality in the final third which has got to improve and we've spoken about that.
"We need to take the tension away from that bit maybe too. There were a lot of positives to take despite the result."
2:40pm
Good to have a game so quickly again?
Maher: "Yes, I think so. We're at the stage of the season where they're coming thick and fast now.
"When you don't win at the weekend it's always nice to go quickly again, especially at home under the lights it's a good one to go and play in as quickly as possible."
2:37pm
Interviews with Nick Hayes and Kevin Maher to come
2:37pm
WE'RE back at Boots & Laces for the pre-match interviews ahead of Southend United's clash with Halifax Town at Roots Hall tonight.
Last edited:
Shrimper
Life President
He's deluded is what he is
Positives from that result? Would love to know what they are
Whether you want to call football a results business or an entertainment business, we're failing on both fronts at the moment.
Kev is completely deluded if he thinks we're doing well
Kev is completely deluded if he thinks we're doing well
kentblues
Director⭐
We did- as per Glen Pennyfather. Coker was effectively on the right of a front three dropping back to support the midfield out of possession.Maher confirmed we played 3 up front Saturday !
Look people on here say we play 433 when we never play a back four so it’s valid to say often we don’t know what we are looking at. Thing is Coker is not who I would have gone for in that position.
kentblues
Director⭐
Also there are people who keep saying it’s 532 when it’s clearly 352. It may not be working as well as we want but it’s still 352
"Even when we do play 3-5-2 people think it's a back five but it's not.
"It's a back three because our wing-backs are probably the highest up the pitch.
"Even when we do play 3-5-2 people think it's a back five but it's not.
"It's a back three because our wing-backs are probably the highest up the pitch.
Last edited:
Billy Bests boot laces
President⭐⭐🦐
'Hopefully we're have a big crowd in', no way.
Will be our lowest of the season so far?.
Will be our lowest of the season so far?.
kentblues
Director⭐
Coker was on the right, if he was a 10 he would have been central behind a front two which he wasn’t. I’ll go with CP, Glenn Pennyfather and Kev on this I think..Not a chance we played with a front 3Coker clearly played in the 10 . Maher is starting to lose it a bit I think
Suffering shrimper
Winger
If he’s not gonna change sack him now his stubbornness will lose him his job feels like the beginning of the end now
Strykr
Manager
He can call it what he wants, its normally a 1-10-0.
A lot of what he is saying is beyond me tbh, and not the reality I am seeing. how long before the board give him a 'vote of confidence' .....
onceknownasrab
President
He says he's not stupid so I guess he thinks we all are. This season has the prospect of becoming a farce if not a disaster.
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