SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher is doing all he can to keep spirits high at the Shrimpers.

Blues go into Tuesday night’s FA Trophy tie with Boreham Wood still dogged by a number of off the field issues.

But Maher is focusing on just football.

“It’s important to remember the good stuff around the place,” said Maher.

“It’s easy to talk about the negative stuff all the time but you have to give credit to the players and staff.

“The togetherness we’ve got within the changing room and within the club means something is going right.

“You don’t get to sixth in the league without that.

“We’re disappointed to have lost a couple of games but, on the bigger picture, look where we are. 

"I think we’ll come stronger again in the new year too when players are back and up to speed."

Blues remain in a transfer embargo due to a winding up petition issued by HMRC while some staff members are still waiting to be paid for November.

Maher added: "We want to focus on the football but we’re not oblivious to stuff that goes on.

"The staff at the football club do an incredible job and work ever so hard.

"They’ve been brilliant with me since I’ve been manager and it’s such a tight knit group.

"We know it’s there but we have to focus on football but that’s what is in our control."