SOUTHEND United head coach Kevin Maher has ‘full faith’ the Shrimpers can pull through their off-field problems.

Blues have until the start of March to pay off a large debt to HMRC following another adjournment of the winding up petition on Wednesday.

And, despite insisting he would again be focusing on matters on the field, Maher added he was confident the club will survive.

“We have to concentrate on the football and control what we can control but I have full faith we will pull through this time,” said Maher.

“For us you see the training ground which is nearly built which is massive.

“Once we overcome this hopefully we can really push on.”

The Shrimpers sit sixth in the National League standings despite their financial issues which includes having had a transfer embargo since the end of September.

But left wing-back Jack Bridge – who grew up supporting Blues – is doing all he can to ensure matters off the pitch do not affect his displays.

“The main thing is to make sure it doesn’t affect any of your performances,” said Bridge.

“I don’t really use social media that much but I do get a lot of my mates texting me.

“For me I concentrate on the football because that’s the main thing.”

Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin has yet to respond to the Echo’s request for a comment.