FOR many Southend United supporters, facing Aldershot Town will forever be remembered for failing floodlights.

And there was little, from a Shrimpers perspective, to light up the EBB Stadium on Saturday.

Blues slumped to their second defeat in succession, losing 2-0 against the Shots.

And it was an afternoon which conjured up a combination of feelings, most of which centred around frustration.

In fairness, Blues had gone 11 league games without losing before suffering their back to back defeats.

But it was well known performances on the pitch were papering over the huge problems off it.

And there was always going to come a time where those immense financial issues would start to hinder the progress being made by Kevin Maher.

That seems to be the case right now as Blues are crying out for reinforcements at both ends of the pitch.

However, an ongoing transfer embargo – due to money owed to HMRC – continues to cripple the club and means Maher must continue with the options already at his disposal.

And that is hurting the Shrimpers most.

Collin Andeng Ndi has done well in deputising for the injured Steve Arnold this season.

But the 19-year-old is not quite ready to be a regular first choice shot-stopper at this level right now and should ideally be continuing his development elsewhere.

He is undoubtedly a talented youngster and one who could definitely go on to enjoy a good career.

However, at this stage, the Shrimpers need a more experienced option between the sticks.

Arnold – who was last season’s player of the year – is a huge miss for Blues while at the other end of the field the Shrimpers are also short of options.

Rhys Murphy, Callum Powell, Jake Hyde and Harry Cardwell are now all sidelined with injuries while the embargo also meant Marcus Dackers was unable to extend his loan spell from Salford City which had seen him score three goals in six games.

Due to those absentees, Maher opted for an understandable change of system at the weekend with Dan Mooney and Jack Bridge featuring either side of Aaron Cosgrave in attack.

Cosgrave replaced Chris Wreh who had been slightly below par in the last couple of weeks but he was unable to make much of an impact on the game.

Blues started steadily enough but the game changed towards the end of the first half when playing out from the back went horribly wrong for the visitors and completely gifted Shots the lead.

After breaking the deadlock, Aldershot – who had been beaten in their last three games – were clearly playing with far more belief, whereas the Shrimpers somewhat wilted.

Lax marking from a set piece, right at the start of the second half, saw the home-side seal their victory during an afternoon Blues never really looked likely to score.

Somehow or other the Shrimpers need to again discover that drive and determination to stick together when the game is going against them.

And it is time to for the leaders in the squad to step forward too.

Blues remain fifth in the table, so it is also important to stress the side are still in a good place.

But such is the anger felt towards the running of the club it does not take much at all to start to feel upset.

This week should see pay day at Roots Hall but sadly it would now be more of a surprise if the office staff are actually paid on time.

It is a disgusting situation which should never be allowed to become the norm.

But that is where Southend United find themselves right now.

The players have not been too badly affected by when they pick up their pay packets so that should not be allowed as an excuse for any poor performances.

After all, the issues were also in place during the good run of results.

But ultimately there is only so much Maher can achieve with one arm continually tied behind his back.

And until the club is properly run and funded it will not ever be able to truly succeed.

The club’s magnificent supporters – who again travelled in large numbers on Saturday – deserve so much better where that is concerned.

And, to continue the Aldershot analogies, it is simply not on they continue to be kept in the dark surrounding such serious issues.

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