How can Southend United get their season back on track?

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Maidenhead United made it just one win in the last six outings for the out of sorts Shrimpers.

And as I jokingly suggested after the final whistle I am not sure whether sitting on every seat inside the stadium for Friday’s charity challenge was actually more painful than having to watch the game which followed.

Anyone seeing me trying to walk at the weekend will know the serious answer to that question.

But it is not easy to take seeing Blues perform this way in your stride either.

Kevin Maher was clearly hurting in his after match interview and was correct to suggest there was a familiar feeling to the defeat.

With that in mind, I will avoid repeating the points I made last weekend.

But to briefly paraphrase what was said, the Shrimpers are seriously hurting from having the spine of their side ripped away for a variety of reasons.

The departures of Ollie Kensdale and Harry Cardwell have hit Blues hard along with the back injury suffered to influential midfielder Cav Miley.

Without them, Southend are very much having to rebuild and look to forge partnerships in key areas of the pitch.

Now, after a result and a performance like Saturday, it would be easy to launch into a tirade of descriptive words for not being very good.

And had I been writing this straight after the final whistle this could well have had a far different tone to what I am now putting together.

But going over the top is no good for anyone and neither is pining for players no longer here.

Yes, it is a big reason for the inconsistent form, but put simply the Shrimpers must find a way to stop the rot and become far tougher to break down.

So much of Blues’ success has been built on defensive solidarity since Maher took control and his side conceded fewer goals than anyone else in the division last season.

However, this time around the Shrimpers have the ninth worst record and have let in 19 goals in 13 games so far.

Thirteen of those strikes have come in the last six games during which an obvious weakness has continued to be exposed, defending set pieces.

Both of Maidenhead’s goals were scored by centre-back Kevin Lokko on Saturday and came from dead ball deliveries put into the box by ex Southend midfielder Nathan Ferguson.

Including a penalty must be slightly harsh but six of the last seven goals Blues have conceded have now come from set piece situations.

It is a huge problem which needs addressing and for me the Shrimpers are still crying out for an aggressive, no nonsense centre-back capable of winning a high percentage of aerial battles and bullying opponents.

Kensdale and Cardwell are certainly both missed where defending set pieces is concerned and, as simple as it sounds, there does seem to be a lack of height in the side right now.

On Saturday, Adam Crowther was the only outfield player to start the game who must stand above six foot tall but he was immediately taken off after being beaten in the air for Lokko’s second goal.

I still feel Maher must be backed in the transfer market to get things right and a new goalkeeper should also be among those he is allowed to bring in.

The best balance in midfield has yet to be found and the defence has certainly not been helped by a lack of protection in front of it.

James Morton could be the best bet in a deep lying role before Miley is back fit but Noor Husin was among those way below his best at the weekend and George Moncur was too.

Signing Moncur and Macauley Bonne was a different transfer strategy for the Shrimpers as they came to the club having played hundreds of games at a higher level.

Moncur shone brightly in the draw at Oldham but has struggled for end product since then while Bonne has not provided a goal threat in recent outings.

Both will arguably need minutes to regain their best form and fitness but the decision Maher now faces is how long he gives them before giving someone else an opportunity.

Bim Pepple offers height and a physical presence which could add something different but changes do need to be made.

Many people will think of formations where that is concerned but Saturday’s defeat had nothing to do with the system.

Put simply, the Shrimpers did not take their chances at one end and were far too easy to score against at the other.

That more than anything else is the simple truth and not until that alters will watching Blues become pain free once again.