Southend United find themselves almost as close to the play-off places as they are to the relegation zone but for a few some discontent is beginning to show.
Some fans are taking to social media to show their frustration as the Shrimpers are struggling to make an impression so far this season. Tuesday’s loss to AFC Fylde leaves the Essex club three points off the bottom four places in the early table.
With the club now under the full ownership of COSU (Custodians Of Southend United) many expected the club to push on to new heights. But injuries to key players has left boss Kevin Maher not yet able to field a full strength team.
The club are still servicing previous debts left behind by Ron Martin, a legacy best not remembered but one that is hampering the consortium led by Justin Rees having to balance paying for today with yesterday.
With the takeover only being agreed days before the transfer window ended Maher and head of football John Still had very limited time in which to bring players in.
They also lost hugely popular striker Harry Cardwell to league rivals Forest Green Rovers, many whom expected to form a formidable partnership with the arriving Josh Walker from Burton Albion.
The diminutive front man enjoyed prolific spells at Barnet and Dagenham & Redbridge prior to his move to the EFL and hopes were high that adding his pace and eye for goal alongside Cardwell would fire the Shrimpers towards the top end of the table.
Walker has missed the last six games with injury leaving only loanee Bim Pepple and Jack Wood as the attacking alternatives until the arrival of Macauley Bonne.
Bonne is an astute signing for the club with much experience of this level but having not been attached to a club during pre-season the ex-Charlton and Leyton Orient striker will take time to reach peak match fitness but completed his first ninety minutes in the defeat to Fylde.
The ongoing internal issue with Ollie Kensdale has seen Maher have to cope with a key member of his back three missing at a time when Southend could do with all hands on deck.
The ex-United player has credit in the bank for not ditching the club at any point in the takeover process and it’s well known the Shrimpers would have been in the play-off’s without their ten point deduction.
Many at times expected Maher and his coaching staff to walk away given the conditions they have worked under for a majority of their tenure at the club.
Results however dictate everything in football and whilst there doesn’t appear to be any indication that any pressure is yet being applied to the manager’s position, they can’t afford a repeat of the situation that brought Maher to the club originally.
With three games in seven days starting this weekend with a trip to Solihull Moors the four point gap to the play-off places could be reduced and allow some breathing space for those concerned at the current position of the club.
If it was believed that Southend United would be heading for a comfortable season once the takeover had completed it was sorely mistaken. Whilst Maher proved he can pull irons out of the fire last season now is the time they need to be laying foundations and not looking for quick fixes.
Yes we perhaps feel we are underperforming! Where would we want to be: top if not top 3! Realistically where do we feel we could be: playoffs. Where are we? As mid table as we could be (as you said as many points up to playoffs as down to relegation). Against Eastleigh, who were second at the time, we looked like table toppers easily beating them 2-0. In other games, we’ve lacked focus, edge and quality. The injuries haven’t helped but we have to have realistic expectations around who we can sign, with all the legacy debt and the club losing £2m per year. I think things can turn around soon – Kev will always be a legend at the club, playing and coaching, I for one will never be demanding his resignation but sadly others already have… such is the mentality of some, a minority, of fans these days