SOUTHEND United new boy Lee Barnard was unable to stop the Shrimpers crashing out of the FA Cup at the hands of Barnsley on Friday night.

But the forward, who made his Blues debut in the 1-0 defeat as a second half substitute for Gary Hooper during the fourth round clash after finally finalising his £25,000 switch from Tottenham Hotspur, cannot wait to get going at Roots Hall.

And he is confident that Steve Tilson's side will soon be back on track and challenging for a place in the play-offs.

"This a fantastic move for me so on a personal note it was great to play my first match for the club," said the 23-year-old who could soon be joined at the Shrimpers by a striker currently playing for a League One club.

"As a team it was disappointing though because we didn't get the result we wanted or felt we deserved.

"We all felt we matched Barnsley, especially in the second half and it's disappointing to have lost.

"But we played well which is encouraging and we want to keep that going because one of the main reasons I came here is because I really feel we can still go up this season."

Another major factor in the switch to the Shrimpers was that Barnard was brought up in Billericay, attended Mayflower School and has always kept an eye out for Southend's progress.

"I still live in Billericay so settling in will not be a problem and Blues have always been my local club," he said.

"Because of that I've always looked out for the results and it means a lot to be playing here now.

"We also play good football and I want to play as many games as I can here and get as many goals as possible."

Barnard arrives at Blues with an excellent goalscoring record for Tottenham Hotspur's reserves where he bagged 36 goals in 37 games before missing much of last season with an ankle problem.

He has also spent time on loan with Exeter City, Stevenage Borough, Leyton Orient, North-ampton Town and Crewe Alex-andra.

But he is delighted to have finally made a permanent move away from White Hart Lane.

"It's the right time for me to leave," admitted Barnard.

"I had been with Spurs since I was 10 so it's a big decision but it's one I need to make if I want to play games.

"There has been a change of manager at Spurs and I wasn't really getting a look in so that made up my mind really."

Barnard again hopes to impress when the Shrimpers host Leeds United in League One tomorrow night.

And his new boss Tilson is also looking for the striker to build on his promising debut.

"Lee looked keen when he came on and worked hard," he said.

"I thought he did well because he's been out for the last couple of weeks with a knee injury. It was disappointing to lose though because there was nothing between the teams and other than the goal I don't remember Darryl Flahavan having any other shot to deal with."