ECHOSPORT talks to Maidenhead Advertiser reporter Daniel Darlington ahead of tonight's match at Southend United.

Maidenhead are currently 17th in the table. What have you made of the season so far?

"It’s been a bit of a mixed bag so far.

"Maidenhead began the campaign relatively well, winning two of their opening seven matches and keeping five clean sheets in the process.

"But things have taken a bit of a turn for the worse since then.

"Three successive stalemates, against Oxford City, Kidderminster Harriers and Woking seemed to rob the side of some confidence going forward, while the defensive solidity which characterised their early games was shattered by a 4-1 away defeat to Bromley a couple of weeks ago.

"Manager Alan Devonshire had hoped that was just a ‘bad day at the office’, and they were certainly a lot more robust defensively against Boreham Wood at York Road on Saturday, however, their struggles in front of goal continued as they lost 1-0.

"Tyrone Marsh scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot, however, Chanka Zimba missed a glorious early chance to put the hosts in front, while Charlee Adams saw his 96th minute penalty saved by Nathan Ashmore.

"They’ve now failed to score in four of their last five matches and that’s something they’ll have to address urgently if they’re to pick up points from a run of games that includes Southend United (Tuesday) and Gateshead (Saturday) away this week and Altrincham and Chesterfield at York Road next week.

"Tobi Sho-Silva made his first start after coming off the bench against Boreham Wood on Saturday, and he’ll bolster their offensive options, but right not they seem to be missing the guile of Reece Smith and the poacher’s instinct of Shawn McCoulsky, who’ll both miss tonight’s game."

What are the hopes for Maidenhead this season?

"Survival. First and foremost, that’s the aim every season and has been since they were promoted to the National League back in 2017.

"The first goal for Alan Devonshire is for his side to reach the magic 50 points mark and once they achieve that, he’ll re-adjust his goals and targets for the season accordingly.

"So far, they’ve picked up 10 points from their opening nine matches, which keeps them on target for survival just about, however, I sense from supporters they’ve failed to make the most of a reasonably kind run of fixtures at the start of the season.

"They’d have liked the side to have collected a few more points from those goalless draws against Oxford, Kidderminster, and Woking, while the side’s form has definitely dipped in the past couple of weeks with those defeats to Bromley and Boreham Wood.

"They need a response, however, injuries to key players are not helping them. As mentioned, they lack some creativity without Reece Smith and goals when McCoulsky is missing from the side.

"Centre half Kevin Lokko also limped out of Saturday’s game against Boreham Wood and was seen in a protective boot after the game.

"He’s impressed at the back for the Magpies but is no set to miss the next four weeks of the campaign at least."

What are the strengths and weaknesses?

"Defensively, the side remains solid and a tough nut to crack, particularly at home.

"In the early weeks of the season, they kept five clean sheets from their opening seven matches, and they’ll look to build on that solid foundation as the season goes on.

"The loss of Lokko to injury is a blow, however, Will De Havilland and Remy Clerima looked solid against Boreham Wood on Saturday and Zico Asare and Sam Beckwith have also started the season well.

"The defence is also well protected by the likes of Kane Ferdinand and Casey Pettit while Charlee Adams gets through his fair share of work while also being one of the side’s playmakers.

"Their obvious weakness this season has been their ability to put the ball in the net on a regular basis.

"They’ve managed just seven goals so far in nine matches and have failed to score in four of their last five league games.

Their only goal in that run of five matches was Chanka Zimba’s consolation in the second half of a 4-1 defeat at Bromley, so their problems are obvious.

"Assistant manager Ryan Peters said he was satisfied with the number of chances they’ve been creating, however, and promised they’d do some shooting drills in training this week.

"With Smith likely to return to the side in a week or so that will help, and Sho-Silva should provide his fair share of goals once he gets up to speed following his return to fitness.

"Shawn McCoulsky netted a couple of goals in the early weeks of the season, and they’ve missed his predatory instincts in the last few matches.

Who is the dangerman?

"The danger for Maidenhead come from the flanks. Ashley Nathaniel-George and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson both played well in Saturday’s defeat to Boreham Wood, however, on too many occasions they couldn’t pick out a teammate with the final ball or cross.

"Mitchell-Lawson was a constant threat and didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.

"In fact, it was his run into the box that led to Wood conceding a 96th minute penalty, however, Adams wasn’t able to take advantage from the spot and secure his side what would have been a deserved share of the spoils.

"I would imagine they’ll look to counter through the likes of Mitchell-Lawson and Nathaniel-George again this evening and their best chance of scoring will probably come through them.

"Maidenhead are also a fairly physical side, so they’ll pose a threat from set pieces, however, on Saturday, they forced a series of corners and free kicks but weren’t able to make any of them count."

What's the team news?

"Shawn McCoulsky, Reece Smith, and Kevin Lokko are set to miss the clash through injury.

"I would imagine Devonshire will play a 4-3-3, with Ross in goal, a back four of Asare, De Havilland, Clerima and Beckwith, a midfield trio of Ferdinand, Pettit, Adams, and Mitchell-Lawson, Nathaniel-George and Zimba/Sho-Silva in attack."