CHRIS Barker wants Southend United to improve their wretched record against League Two’s struggling teams, starting with a win at AFC Wimbledon tonight.

Blues have won just three of their 10 matches against sides in the bottom half of the table so far this season.

And skipper Barker is keen for that to improve.

“We’re fully aware that we haven’t done so well against the teams lower down the table and that’s something we need to change as quickly as we can,” said Barker, 32.

“We’re particularly struggled against them when we’ve been playing at home but tonight we’re on the road and hopefully we can get another good result.

“AFC Wimbledon will make it hard and I played with their manager Neal Ardley at Cardiff City so I know he’ll have them very well organised.

“But we’re on a good run at the moment and we want to keep it going.”

Blues are now 10th in the standings, two points behind the play-offs after going five games without defeat.

And, as they look to extend the unbeaten run, Barker expects to be fit to face the Dons despite having to be substituted with a back problem during Saturday’s 4-1 at Torquay United.

“My back went in to spasm after about 35 minutes at the weekend but I trained yesterday and think I’ll be fine to stay in the side,” said Barker.

“After I got booked at Torquay I spoke to the manager and said my back was hurting too and we decided to play it safe by taking me off.

“I’ve had treatment on it since then and providing there’s no reaction to training I’ll be fine to play.”

Southend will also be confident of coming out on top having won all three of their previous meetings against the Dons who are 20th in the table.