Southend United manager Kieron Dyer says his team has a target on its back as they sit near the top of the National League. Dyer's comments come ahead of a busy bank holiday weekend for the Shrimpers, who host Kidderminster Harriers before travelling to face Woking on Monday.
Dyer has watched every team in the league and feels opponents are specifically motivated against his side. "I've watched every team in this league and I do feel that Southend have a target on their backs," Dyer said. He pointed to recent performances against Solihull Moors and Altrincham as evidence, stating those teams did not run as hard against other clubs as they did against Southend.
Dyer believes the club's stature is a major factor. He considers Southend United, along with perhaps Carlisle United, to be the biggest club currently competing in the National League. This status, combined with his own public ambition, makes them a prized scalp. "They have a manager who is saying they're going to win the league and people want to prove him wrong," Dyer explained. The manager feels this dynamic means Southend will consistently face the best version of every team they play this season.
The Shrimpers enter this weekend's fixtures in strong form, positioned third in the National League table. They have accumulated nine points from their opening four matches, with a record of three wins and one loss. Their recent form reads LWWW, and they have scored eight goals while conceding five, giving them a positive goal difference of three. They currently sit three points behind league leaders Sutton United, a gap they will be looking to close during this busy period. Fans can track the ongoing title race on our standings page.
Despite acknowledging the extra motivation opponents have, Dyer remains confident in his squad's quality. He believes that if Southend United can produce their best performance, it will be superior to the best version of any team they face, including this weekend's opponents, Kidderminster Harriers. The manager's focus is on ensuring his own team reaches that level consistently, rather than worrying about the opposition's approach. The upcoming double-header provides an immediate test of this philosophy.
The immediate focus is a packed schedule of games over the bank holiday period, starting with the visit of Kidderminster to Roots Hall. Following that, a trip to face Woking on Monday completes a challenging but opportunity-filled weekend. These matches are critical for maintaining momentum and staying in touch at the top of the table. Supporters can view the full schedule of upcoming matches on the club's fixtures list. With the season still in its early stages, every point is vital in what promises to be a highly competitive National League campaign.
