Aim toxic comments at me, not players - Dyer

Southend United manager Kieron Dyer urged fans to direct their anger towards himself rather than the team following the club's shocking 4-1 FA Cup upset defeat to Berkhamsted. The seventh-tier Berkhamsted side stunned a crowd of 4,610 at Roots Hall on Saturday, marking Southend's first failure to reach the first round in over a year.

Dyer told BBC Essex that fans should boo him but not the players, emphasizing that they had a young squad and this was the only time this season they had let supporters down. The manager made nine changes to his lineup and admitted he might have made too many substitutions, stating he owned up to his decision. Dyer noted he has a clear idea of his strongest 11 players, who will feature in most games.

Southend, currently third in the National League, will next take on FC Halifax Town at home on October 24.