Maher has 'absolute belief' in Southend

Kevin Maher played for Southend for 10 years until 2008

Southend United boss Kevin Maher insists he will not change the way his team play despite criticism following back-to-back defeats.

The Shrimpers were knocked out of the FA Trophy by eighth-tier Sittingbourne and lost their latest National League game against Maidenhead United, both by a 1-0 scoreline.

They have won only 10 of their 29 league games this season following last summer's takeover by COSU (Custodians of Southend United) and are currently 12th in the table, six points outside the play-off places.

"There is absolute belief in what we're doing and what the players can do," Maher told BBC Essex Sport.

"In terms of our build-up and the style of play, there's a lot of quality there, a lot of players have performed well but we've got to get moments in games right when we get to the final third."

Maher made more than 400 appearances for Southend during his playing career and returned to the club as head coach in October 2021 following a spell with Bristol Rovers.

He held the team together despite protracted financial problems which saw the club under threat of liquidation and subject to transfer embargoes and a points deduction, before the takeover was finally completed.

And he said online critics of their past two results needed to look at things from a wider perspective.

"What we've been through as a team, as a staff, I'll back my players one million per cent," Maher added.

"Six months ago we nearly didn't have a football club. A consortium came in and were paying people's wages, even though they didn't own the club. We had staff that didn't leave when they could have done, (and) players never left when they could have done.

"We're going through a sticky patch and aren't quite where we want to be, that's football. But what you've got is people who care about the club, players who care and what you can't do is criticise their effort and application.

"I know what I'm doing, the staff know what they're doing, and we won't compromise on what we believe and how hard we work."

The Shrimpers play Halifax Town at Roots Hall on Tuesday, the first of three home games in a row - and they could be right in the play-off picture if they win them all.

"We want to get out of this league, absolutely, but we've got to keep building a squad, which I think is now a lot better," added Maher.

"Last week was a chance to get closer to Wembley, which we'd have all loved, but once it's gone you've got to park it. Saturday could have moved us up to ninth if we'd won - what you can't do is dwell on it and let it fester into the next game.

"It's easier to drag down than to drag up. I bet when we lose we get more coverage than when we win, and that tells a story."