Despite Southend's 4-0 beating at Sunderland this weekend they have given themselves a sporting chance of avoiding relegation with their recent revival as 2007 has seen them beat West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff, Birmingham and Queens Park Rangers. Kevin Maher has been a figurehead during their recent upsurge in form and the club captain has been on target frequently from his midfield base. With a crucial clash against Crystal Palace on the horizon there is no time to dwell on the defeat at the Stadium of Light as a victory for the Shrimpers could propel them as high as 19th in the Championship table. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson spoke to Maher about their prospects of avoiding relegation as the run-in begins in earnest.
Q:YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUSELVES A CHANCE OF AVOIDING THE DROP NOW HAVEN'T YOU?
A:We have definitely given ourselves a chance as before Christmas we looked dead and buried. We weren't playing too badly but couldn't get the results. However, we have had a couple of decent victories that have given us a chance but we have to maintain our improvement.
Q:WHAT HAS BEEN THE REASON BEHIND THE RECENT IMPROVEMENT?
A:I don't think there has been one single factor that has made a difference to our recent results. We have hit a bit off form and, as I said previously, we weren't playing that badly but had lost a lot of confidence. We have learned how to take it on and get some victories. Even I have managed to score four goals in the last seven games – I don't know where they have come from!
Q:HOW IMPORTANT IS THE FACT THAT FREDDY EASTWOOD IS STILL AT ROOTS HALL?
A:Freddy being here is obviously very important to us and he will have to keep scoring some important goals for us between now and the end of the season if we are going to maintain our improvement. I don't know whether anyone came in for him or not during the January transfer window but it was good news that he stayed.
Q:IS THERE A BELIEF THAT YOU CAN AVOID RELEGATION NOW?
A:We have got to believe that we can stay up and our results have improved so why can't we? There is a great deal of hard work ahead and I think we are going to need another six or seven wins to make sure of survival but it is hard to look too far ahead and we need to focus on one game at a time.
Q:I HEAR THERE IS A TESTIMONIAL IN THE PIPELINE FOR YOURSELF?
A:I had been at the club for nine years back in January and they have granted me a testimonial for June 2008. Hopefully that will be the first fixture at our new stadium as we have got planning permission now and are set to move in for the start of the 2008-09 season. It is important that we preserve our Championship status as that will ensure we are on a level playing field with the rest of the division when our new facilities are available.
