By Chris Phillips@cjphillips1982Chief sports reporter
SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher hopes Macauley Bonne’s showing against Forest Green Rovers can be the sign of things to come.
Bonne has struggled to make a consistent impact for the Shrimpers since signing in September.
But the experienced forward impressed off the bench during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Forest Green Rovers.
And Maher feels Bonne’s experience makes him an impact player for Blues despite him not having scored in 15 appearances.
“There are games this year where he’s played ever so well,” said Maher.
“When he first came in he had chances and it would’ve been nice for one of them to go in for his own benefit but I remember his performance at Solihull and what he did there.
“There are plenty of others where he’s really made a difference with his nous and knowledge as well.
“His knowledge helps and it’s probably something we haven’t got a lot of.
“Bim (Pepple) is a young lad and Danny (Waldron) has come from the level below so they’re still learning.”
And Maher feels Bonne’s experience is even more important due to the players who left the club at the end of last season.
“We’ve lost a bit of experience from last year so Macca brings that but it would be nice for him to start bringing goals as well,” said Maher.
“We obviously want all our forwards to be scoring.”
After impressing off the bench on Saturday, Bonne will be pushing to start against his former side Woking this evening.
Maher also has goalkeeper Zach Jeacock and Jack Bridge available despite them suffering with an illness in the past week but defender Joe Gubbins is likely to miss out with an Achilles injury.
"He's getting nearer and he's building up the work within his legs to push him and see where he's at," said Maher.
"Hopefully he'll get closer and closer as the days and weeks go by."
