SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher is keeping his focus on the pitch but cannot ignore what is happening off it.

The Shrimpers saw a winding up petition issued by HMRC adjourned on Wednesday meaning the club remain in a transfer embargo.

Members of staff are also still waiting to be paid for October and Maher admitted it was impossible to block out.

“You can’t ignore it because it’s there,” said Maher.

“It’s difficult and it’s difficult in terms of the staff who are brilliant around the club.

“They’re incredible right throughout the departments.

“There’s stuff we have to deal with that’s part and parcel of Southend.

“The work the staff do is second to none.

“When we go out onto the pitch we’re playing for them and there’s togetherness around the club which helps.

“There’s stuff we can’t control and that I can’t control but what we can try and control is what happens on the pitch.

“All credit to the players and staff because that’s been going ever so well.”

Blues sit sixth in the National League standings after going 10 games without defeat despite the ongoing issues.

Echosport understands the financial problems have also seen the squad not being able to use the GPS system which tracks the distances the Shrimpers squad travel during training and in matches.

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