THE majority of Southend United fans want Kevin Bond to remain in charge of the club, an Echosport online poll has revealed.

Bond bossed Blues for the final six games of the season and kept the club in League One after a dramatic 2-1 win against Sunderland at Roots Hall on Saturday.

And 58 per cent of the fans now want Bond to stay with the Shrimpers.

Among those is keen Blues fan Rylee Doe, who was initially quite sceptical about the appointment.

“When Kevin Bond took over myself and almost all Southend fans were shocked and definitely thought it was the wrong decision,” said Doe.

“However, he took over a team that hadn’t won since January, was savaged with injuries and looked demotivated and headed for the drop.

"In his short reign so far, Bond has lead us to two very spirited victories, two unlucky draws and two disappointing defeats.

"It was never going to be a perfect introduction however the philosophy that has been introduced has clearly inspired the players, we’ve played better football and have been the most hardworking team I’ve seen since the Joe Pigott and Adam Barrett days.”

And Doe, who is based in Basildon, feels Bond should be able to build on his good work.

“His press conferences do seem uninspiring to fans and apart from a disastrous performance coupled with a reckless decision to drop Sam Hart for the Rochdale game, Kevin Bond has done nothing wrong to prevent him getting the job,” said Doe, 17.

“With him and Harry Redknapp’s connections I am certain we can build on this spirited fight and push on next season.”

Blues took eight points from six games with Bond in charge.

But not all fans want him to stay, including Peter Goodwin.

“He hadn’t been in the English game for a while and he didn’t have a great record at Bournemouth,” said Goodwin, 26.

“Saying that he has helped the team dig in and work hard for the results, draws, wins and defeats.

“However, despite this I would rather see us go with someone like Paul Hurst. I feel he is a better appointment as he is more likely to be long term.

"He knows these leagues and has done well at Grimsby and Shrewsbury.

"The club needs to set a plan going forward and I don’t think Bond would be the right type of manager.

"Saying that, I am grateful for what he has done and wouldn’t begrudge it if he got the job.”