Echo News The final say: How much change is needed after Blues lose to Maidenhead?

[Evening Echo]

FOOTBALL doesn’t often do fairytales.

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[Cricko]

How much change is needed after Southend United lose to Maidenhead?​

Tough afternoon - for Southend United at Maidenhead

FOOTBALL doesn’t often do fairytales.


And Southend United are certainly learning that the hard way this season.

After the consortium rode to the rescue and saved the Shrimpers from extinction in the summer, the club were expected to kick on and build on the promising progress which had been made on the pitch up until that point.

• READ MORE: Maher reacts to Blues' away defeat

Having Blues legend Kevin Maher in charge added to the feel-good factor, especially given the way he had guided the club through the most traumatic period of its history.

But the campaign has not unfolded the way anyone connected with the Shrimpers would have wanted and Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Maidenhead United was another tough one to take.

The reasons for the club’s inconsistencies have previously been poured over rather extensively on these pages.

However, it is important to focus on the here and now and mull over exactly just why Blues have not been at their best.

Up until recently, it has appeared Southend's season was starting to click into shape with five wins in six games pushing them closer to the play-offs as well as progressing in the FA Trophy.

But that all came to a huge halt when the Shrimpers suffered arguably the most embarrassing home defeat of their entire history when losing to Sittingbourne in the FA Trophy.

As I said at that time, there were two ways Blues could go after losing that fifth round tie – either wilt in self pity and let it hinder the rest of the season or use the pain to propel them when back in league action.


That added extra significance to Saturday’s clash which ultimately followed a frustratingly familiar path.

In fact, in many ways it was a performance which probably summed up the season so far.

Blues had long spells of possession, especially in the first half, but struggled to create clear cut chances.

And then when opportunities did arise they could not be taken.

At the other end of the field, defending set pieces has long proved problematic and that was the case at York Road too as Will de Havilland headed home an inviting free-kick from Tristan Abrahams.

The Shrimpers’ reaction to going behind was quite concerning and seemingly showed a lack of confidence as the hosts comfortably saw out the closing stages.

Maidenhead goalkeeper Craig Ross was forced to make just one save throughout the match while, at the other end, Nick Hayes was probably Blues’ best player on the day.

His return and assured performance was a rare positive on an otherwise sad and sobering day for Southend United.

The defeat to a part-time side who started the day in the relegation zone coming immediately after the FA Trophy exit to Sittingbourne has seen the Shrimpers subjected to extreme criticism by their supporters.

But the bottom line is it has not been good enough and there can be no hiding away from that.

Much of the focus has been on the style of play and the future of head coach Kevin Maher.

We all have differing opinions of course, but for me I much prefer to see the Shrimpers on the front foot taking the game to the opposition.

On Saturday, it all seemed rather slow, safe and predictable from Blues and that made them much easier to play against.

Fylde and Dagenham & Redbridge may have both been rather poor, but the attacking template used in those matches, with three up top, was refreshing and entertaining to see.

That is the biggest change I would like to see between now and the end of the season when superior attacking options can be sought.

Too much wheeling and dealing in that area will be difficult at this stage but the reason for my thinking is simple – the more the Shrimpers can create then the more they are likely to score.

That then leaves Maher’s future at the club.

When assessing this I have taken away my huge admiration for him as a player and a person so not to be accused of being biased.

Having done that, I think it is safe to say the Blues boss is under more pressure and scrutiny than ever before in this role but he will not need telling the last two performances have not been good enough.

Maher has been through more tough times, as a player and manager, than probably anyone else, and certainly has the character to come through this too.

I still believe he deserves more time but do hope lessons have been learnt from the last two games.

More risks need to be taken and the play much quicker if watching the Shrimpers is to become enjoyable again.

Blues have a quick chance to get back on track – with three home games in the space of eight days.

Two of those matches come against teams right in the race for the play-offs, making the next week or so a vitally important period for Southend United and those in charge still seeking their happy ever after.

 

[Jay_SUFC]

I get what CP is saying, but lessons aren't being learnt. We've been playing the same rubbish, defensive tactics since the first game of the season, and we are now in Feb.

Twice, first we went to 4-3-3, and then 5-2-3, but when we had a poor 45 minutes with those formations, Maher went straight back to 5-3-2, as if going 'told you so'.

4-3-3 or 5-2-3 won't always get us results, but neither does 5-3-2, but I would rather see us attacking - most of this league is pony, so no excuse just to play it safe!

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

CP his the nail on the head.

For two games we went for an attacking line up and walked through Dagenham and FC Fylde.

Then, for reasons only Kevin Maher knows we go back to that pish boring sideways nonsense, and not only do we lose at home to a side 3 divisions below us, we then get done by one of the worst sides in the league, showing zero attacking threat whatsoever. This is why many fans are getting increasingly ****ed off with this inconsistency when its glaringly obvious how we should be lining up.

I have no doubt the players are just as frustrating, and Moncur scoring goals for a team in the same league who are pretty awful speaks volumes.

I think Maher's stubbornness will be his downfall.

 

[geoffmundo]

At least Chris has the opportunity to ask Kev searching and difficult questions, if he’s allowed that is…..

 

[Avl1983]

I hope I'm wrong but I'm half expecting 3 defeats in the next 8 days.

 

[stewart]

Only one change needed for the rest of the season Maher out and allow Currie to take the reins until season's end .Let's see if he can get a tune out of these players before we condemn them. Currie did well when in charge off Barnet playing an attractive attacking formation and took them into the playoffs .

 

[Avl1983]

Only one change needed for the rest of the season Maher out and allow Currie to take the reins until season's end .Let's see if he can get a tune out of these players before we condemn them. Currie did well when in charge off Barnet playing an attractive attacking formation and took them into the playoffs .

I wouldn't be completely against this but it does make you wonder if Currie is against the style of play then why doesn't he stand up to Maher or why was he appointed if the football he likes to play is so different?