SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher insists it will take more than 70 points to reach the National League play-offs this season.
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Setting targets - Southend United boss Kevin Maher
(Image: FOCUS IMAGES)
By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.
SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher insists it will take more than 70 points to reach the National League play-offs this season.
The ninth placed Shrimpers - who currently have 47 points - head to Yeovil Town tomorrow trying to keep alive their slight hopes of a top seven finish.
And Maher is fully aware what it will take for Blues to be able to extend their season.
“There’s a number we’d like to get to,” said the Shrimpers boss.
“What it usually takes is above 70 points but it’s hard to look too far ahead because there are a lot of games in a short space of time.
“What we’ve got to do is focus solely on Saturday and see where that takes us.”
Blues are currently two places and five points below the play-off places with 12 games to go.
The Shrimpers are also unbeaten in their last four matches but Maher expects another stern test against a Yeovil side currently two points and two places below Southend.
“Yeovil had a difficult period but they’ve had a couple of very good results now,” said Maher.
“They’ve tweaked their system slightly to when we played them before but they still have a lot of the same players and the same threats.
“They’re really well coached and really well organised.
“They will be on a high after the last couple of results too so this will be another different and difficult challenge.”
The match is also the first of a busy March for Blues.
But Maher is confident his squad will be able to cope with the demanding schedule.
“I think we’ve got seven games this month so it’s going to test the squad but that’s what it’s there for,” said Maher.
“We’ve got new players bedding in and we’re getting stronger in terms of numbers and our depth.
“Hopefully that stands us in good stead for the run in and there are a lot of points to play for.
“We’ve got to pick up as many as we can and the squad is going to be tested this month.
“Everyone has to be ready to play.”
The Shrimpers have striker Josh Walker available again this weekend after he recovered from an illness but goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi (hamstring), defender Adam Crowther (knee) and midfielder Cav Miley (ankle) are all still sidelined.
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