Maher earns Shez tribute

KEVIN MAHER . . . limited chances.

TONY BUGBY’S weekly look behind the scenes at Boundary Park

KEVIN Maher, arguably Athletic’s unluckiest player of the season, has been described as a model professional by John Sheridan.

The Athletic manager has been impressed by the attitude of the 32-year-old midfield player, who has had the misfortune to be understudy to Mark Allott and Danny Whitaker for most of the campaign.

It has been a frustrating time for Maher, who was released by Southend United in the summer after 10 years at the Essex club.

Yet Sheridan has been impressed by the way in which the former Ireland under-21 international has conducted himself and has never complained.

He said: “Kevin has been around a long time and he is an experienced player who has captained Southend.

“You don’t have to tell him how to train and look after himself. He is a good player and also a good lad to have in and around the club.

“Unfortunately for him, two of my most consistent players have been Mark Allott and Danny Whitaker.”

Maher remains philosophical about the limited opportunities he has had at Boundary Park.

He said: “It was always a case of keeping my head down, continuing to work hard and biding my time before, hopefully, getting into the side and taking my chance.

“The hardest thing is not getting disheartened by training all week, working towards a game on Saturday and then not playing.

“But you have to realise things change quickly in football and you have to be prepared when that opportunity comes along.”

Maher joined Athletic only days before the start of the season when the Allott/Whitaker partnership had already been cemented, though he played in the opening-day 4-3 win against Millwall.

After that success, Maher had to wait more than three months for his next start in the league.

And it was an ankle injury sustained by Whitaker in training which opened the door for Maher.

He seized his chance, appearing in successive league victories at Northampton and Southend and at home to Walsall, along with the FA Cup defeat against Cheltenham Town.

But once Whitaker had regained full fitness, it was back to the substitutes’ bench for Maher at home to Brighton and at Peterborough on Saturday.

Maher, who is well acquainted with life in Coca-Cola League One, believes Athletic have the personnel capable of challenging for promotion.

He explained: “Teams need a strong squad if they are to challenge for promotion in this league.

“We have a good squad and I think we definitely have a good chance of making the play-offs and even challenging for an automatic promotion place.

“Competition for places is always healthy and you need players in the squad who can come in at any time and do a job.”