KEVIN Maher admitted he felt for Southend United’s travelling fans following Saturday’s postponement at Rochdale.

Maher had been working alongside Ricky Duncan in the build up to the clash at Spotland.

And the former Shrimpers midfielder was frustrated to see the game called off.

“It’s disappointing and frustrating and I really feel for our fans,” said Maher.

“It’s a long way for them to travel for the game not to take place but we share the pain because we’d had a good couple of days on the training ground.

“It was a game we were looking forward to so for it not to take place was disappointing.”

Maher - who made more than 450 appearances during his lengthy playing career with the Shrimpers - now coaches the club’s under 23 side at Roots Hall.

But the 41-year-old is enjoying working with the first team.

“It’s been good working alongside Ricky with the first team and the players really seemed up for the game on Saturday,” said Maher.

“That’s another reason why we were disappointed it didn’t take place but things like this are out of our hands and there’s nothing we could do about it.

“We thought it might be called off when we started to get pictures of the pitch sent through to us.

“We then saw some of the images which were posted on Twitter but whether or not the decision could have been made earlier I don’t know and we just have to get on with it.”

And that means Maher will now start focusing on Saturday’s clash against Scunthorpe United at Roots Hall - even though he remains unsure if he and Duncan will still be in charge.

“We’ll be back training tomorrow and we will start focusing on the game with Scunthorpe,” said Maher.

“It’s another big game but we don’t know what’s going to happen and if we will still be in charge by then.

“We will just look after things until we’re told otherwise and it’s an honour for us to have been given this opportunity.”

Maher and Duncan, the club’s academy manager, were placed in charge following the departure of Phil Brown as Blues’ manager last Wednesday.

However, a replacement has yet to be sorted.

Chris Powell still seems certain to take charge but, after Saturday’s postponement - he will take over a team sitting just one place and one point above the relegation zone following victories for AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town at the weekend.