ALL the updates from Southend United's press conference ahead of Saturday's FA Trophy with Sittingbourne at Roots Hall
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Updates from Southend United's pre-match press conference
Southend United FC
Football
Sport.
By Chris Phillips.
As usual Guys and Gals, start from the bottom.
5:04pm
Maher confirms new signing Leon Chambers Parillon will not feature this weekend as he's cup tied.
5:03pm
With Collin injured and Nathan Harness a short-term loan are you looking to sign a goalkeeper?
"Yes, we're still looking of course.
"With Collin injured it means we're going to have to push on."
4:57pm
Team news time
Macauley Bonne: "Macca had to come off with an illness at half-time the other night. It was getting progressively worse throughout the first half.
"That was disappointing but it gave Hops the chance to come on.
"We'll have to wait and see closer to Saturday how Macca is and if he can play.
"He's been ill and we've got one or two bits of illness around the place so we've got to be careful."
Collin Andeng Ndi: "He's had a scan on his hamstring and it looks like he will be out for a period now. It looks like it's going to be a longer one."
Adam Crowther: "Crowths is going to be out for at least another few weeks.
"He will have to go back in and have another scan to see where it is, probably in the middle of next month."
Cave Miley: "Cav has gone to have a check up today so we'll know more after that but hopefully it won't be too bad.
4:55pm
Right, back to Kevin Maher.
On the recent wins, he adds: "You have to be able to win games differently.
"You won't be able to play free-flowing football every week.
"You've got to be able to keep clean sheets at the right time and we've done that recently.
"But we can't rest on our laurels and talk about what we've done.
"We've got to keep moving forward."
4:28pm
You've signed Leon Chambers-Parillon and Tom Hopper now. What do they bring to the team?
Maher: "I thought it was important we got the balance of the transfers right.
"Tom (Hopper) we know from his time here before when I was working here too.
"You saw when he came on the other day how he leads the line and he works hard from the front as well.
"We know what we get from Tom and how he is around the place which is brilliant.
"Leon is one we've watched and he adds something we need in the midfield area.
"He's different to what we have.
"He will be making a step up and we're delighted to have him on board.
"We're looking forward to working with him."
4:25pm
Asked about Southend's form, Maher says: "I think the squad is looking stronger which is important.
"There's more competition for places and that drives standards throughout the club.
"It's something we've wanted all season and we're getting there slowly.
"We're not getting carried and we just keep on looking forward.
"We drive the standards around the place."
4:21pm
Asked about Sittingbourne being the story of the FA Trophy so far, Maher responds: "I know they're bringing a lot of fans so it will be a good atmosphere.
"It's unbelievable and we will treat them with the upmost respect like we do every opponent.
"It will be no different and we'll look at their threats.
"They've been so consistent this season and they've had some great results in this competition so far.
"We know we've got to be ready.
"We have huge respect for them and know the danger they pose.
"We've got to focus on ourselves, what we do and how we play.
"It's important to hit our standards."
4:10pm
Maher:" We got a good result and a good performance at Dagenham and we followed it up midweek like we spoke about having to do.
"We're pleased we were able to do that and I think it was important.
"It's the stage of the season now where you really need to put points on the board and we've done that.
"Saturday is the FA Trophy but it's a chance to finish the week off strongly.
"We're coming up against a manager I know well and they've done brilliantly.
"They're in great form and we're looking forward to it.
"It's a break from the league but it's a good one.
"All credit to them and the run they're on breeds confidence.
"They will be confident and looking to cause an upset.
"But we'll be ready."
4:08pm
Kevin Maher up next
3:37pm
Has much changed since you've been away?
Hopper: "There's been a bit of paint here and there which was pleasantly surprising.
"Not too much changed but the stuff that has changed is positive.
"It's good to be back."
3:35pm
Asked more about his departure last time around, Hopper adds: "It was a strange time at the club for everyone involved.
"We're moving forward now and we're looking ahead.
"As a club that's where we want to go and we want to be on an upward trajectory.
"We can only look forward now."
3:34pm
Did you always think you would come back to Southend at some point?
Hopper: "Football is a strange world so you can never say never.
"I left under a bit of a cloud last time so in the back of my mind I always thought it would be nice (to come back).
"Part of me hoped it would happen but I didn't ever know when that might be.
"Southend is a club I've followed since I left.
"Living in the area still so when the opportunity came up and it was the right timing for everyone it was something I couldn't turn down."
3:28pm
Are you thinking about reaching Wembley?
Hopper: "You can't think that far ahead. All you can think about is Sittingbourne and focus on that game.
"We respect them massively but if we go and do what we do best then it puts us in a good place to progress.
"We treat every team we play the same.
"We put a lot of focus on how we go about it.
"I'm sure there will be pressure from outside and there's always pressure on a game of football."
3:22pm
On chances not being taken, he adds: "It would be more of a concern if we weren't taking chances.
"As a striker you want to see the chances are there and if you've got to be in those positions.
"If you miss or score you've got to be in those areas and that will be the message to the boys.
"As long as we keep on creating chances then it bodes well."
3:21pm
Asked about what he can bring to the team, Hopper says: "Obviously a bit of experience.
"I've played a while now and I'll help the boys any way I can.
"I want to produce goals again and that's something I want to get back to doing.
"Playing with a high press, I can add to that too.
"I want to be positive on the pitch and help out where I can."
3:11pm
On facing Sittingbourne in the Trophy, Hooper says: "We want to keep building on our good run.
"We want to keep on improving.
"We've set our standard as a group these last five or six games and we want to keep building on that too.
"This is an important competition.
"We have to attack it and try to do as many of the right things as possible to go and get a result.
"Regardless of the team, we shouldn't change our approach.
"The approach will be the same and the message will be clear from the staff.
"We will have to play at our best and put in a good performance to go and get a good result."
3:04pm
Some familiar faces still?
Hopper: "The conversations I had with Jason (Demetriou) prior to coming here were pivotal.
"He knows better than most people.
"Ralphy was here when I was last here and he's still going strong.
"Familiar faces always help when you're coming into the club and it's not just the playing staff.
"It's people around the club too and hopefully it makes the transition smoother and I'll be able to find my feet quicker on the pitch."
2:56pm
Hopper adds: "Even when I was here previously, it was a bit turbulent at times, but I still enjoyed it.
"I felt like I played some of my best football here and those memories are what I want to revisit.
"I want to get back to my best.
"The club is in a better place now off the pitch and the opportunity to help build on that is something I was keen to do."
2:44pm
On reasons for coming back to the club, Hopper says: "There's a variety of things.
"I've been living in the area for the last five years so that's a big pull, the staff and club want to go on an upward trajectory too.
"The opportunity to be part of that and I want to get back to my best.
"That's something I want to be doing as well.
"The group have clearly been playing some good football.
"It had all the right ingredients and I wanted to be a part of that."
2:36pm
Asked about his first game back, Hopper says: "I massively enjoyed it. It's nice to be back at Roots Hall and I thought the team played some really good football.
"We were probably guilty of not putting them away earlier but it was a really professional performance in the end and more importantly a big three points."
2:32pm
Up first is Hopper who returned to the Shrimpers this week and played the second half of Tuesday night's 2-0 win against AFC Fylde at Roots Hall.
2:31pm
We are going to be speaking to Tom Hopper and Kevin Maher
2:31pm
Blues go into the game having won five of their last six games but Sittingbourne's form is UNREAL! The Kent club are unbeaten in 27 games and have not lost since September.
2:27pm
Hello and welcome back to Boots & Laces for Southend United's press conference ahead of Saturday's fifth round FA Trophy with Sittingbourne a Roots Hall.
