Southend United skipper Kevin Maher slammed his Shrimpers team-mates following a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
No exit - Kevin Maher finds his path forward blocked
The Seasiders started their League Two season sluggishly against the Robins at a sun-swept Roots Hall - much to the annoyance of Maher who wasted no time criticising a below par Blues performance.
"It was very disappointing," said the 27-year-old. "We had a lot of possession but never really hurt them.
"We kept the ball up to a certain point but the end product wasn't there and it's good enough."
In contrast, Cheltenham bagged two goals inside the opening half an hour before sitting back and protecting their lead against a sorry Southend side who had striker Tes Bramble sent off deep into stoppage time.
"We probably had three quarters of the play but lacked that sharpness where it mattered and that cost us," said Maher.
"That has to come soon though. We can't afford to let things carry on like this because then you end with the situation we had last year and that just can't happen here again.
"We all need to pull our fingers out because it was poor and we need to have more ideas when we have the ball against teams who are sitting back against us."
Published Monday August 9, 2004
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