SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher feels Tuesday's match at Maidenhead will be tougher than the league table suggests.

The Magpies sit 16th in the National League standings.

But Maher believes Alan Devonshire’s team are always difficult to beat.

“Maidenhead are always tough to play and we came unstuck there last year,” said Maher.

“We will have to be on top of our game to get anything there because they cause every team they play problems.

“They’ve got some good players and we will have to get our performance right to get a result.”

The Shrimpers will head into the game sitting seventh in the table following Saturday’s 2-0 victory against York City at Roots Hall.

And Maher is looking to build on the hard-fought win.

“It was important we won the game first and foremost and now we want to go and follow that up,” said the Blues boss.

“But you can’t think too far ahead with regards to the league table or anything like that.

“It’s so tight up there and there are going to be so many tough games in this league, starting with Maidenhead.

“But we want to hit good levels.”

Maidenhead - who have been beaten four times in 13 home games so far this season - drew 1-1 at Bromley last time out.

But Maher will again welcome the opportunity to focus on football amid troubling times for the club At the time of printing, the Shrimpers squad have yet to pick up their January pay packets.

Maher has had to constantly front up about the deeply concerning financial situation.

But he fully understands the questions coming his way.

“You want to talk football all the time but I understand with where we are at the minute you’re going to get asked questions and that’s perfectly fine,” said Maher.

“I will always try my best to answer them as fairly and honestly as I can.

“The players have to be our focus and we have to prepare them the best we can to go and win football matches.

“They deserve all our attention.”

And, when asked if the troubles could bring his team closer together Maher said: “ Hopefully.

“They were like that anyway and we recruited well at the start of the season.

“We’ve brought them closer together with things we’ve done on and off the pitch and if that can add to that then brilliant.

“What helps is winning matches and that’s what we aim to do.

“The more we do that then the better our league position will obviously be.”