The final say: Why isn't the season going to plan for Southend United?

After years of extreme financial mismanagement and genuine fears for the future for the club, having new owners was supposed to a signal a bright new future for the Shrimpers.

Long-term it probably still will.

READ MORE: Blues fans have their say on defeat at Altrincham

But Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Altrincham was a tough watch and leaves Blues 16th in the standings, three points above the relegation zone.

The Shrimpers have picked up just 21 points from 18 games and, in hindsight, there are several reasons why.

First of all, the problems ran so deep at Roots Hall that it was always going to take time for a solid platform to be put in place.

Papering over the cracks can only work for so long and applying short term fixes for long-term issues was never going to end well.

Work is ongoing where that is concerned but it is matters on the pitch which are now more problematic.

Last season, Blues massively over-achieved and continually upset the odds to push themselves into play-off contention.

But it just has not felt the same this time around and every time you think the season is starting to click into gear it doesn’t happen.

Everyone will have their own reasons as to why and mine also stem back to the summer.

At the end of the previous campaign, the Shrimpers had a settled, spirited squad which needed slight tinkering and strengthening to sustain a push for promotion.

However, the ongoing embargo meant several transfer targets were missed and players already at the club were also allowed to leave far too easily.

Those departing may not have been consistent starters but they had the character, spirit and togetherness to play their part in picking up points when called upon.

But, with nine players moving on, a squad needing only slight work suddenly needed rebuilding.

The unexpected departures of Ollie Kensdale and Harry Cardwell added to those issues and their loss continues to be felt.

Put simply and, perhaps rather harshly, the majority of those coming into the club have not done as well as those they have replaced.

And I honestly think the squad has got considerably weaker since the end of last season.

Injuries to key players have not helped and the loss of form to others has also played a part.

But the biggest issue now is moving forward and how to put things right.

Saturday’s first 45 minutes was arguably the worst of the season so far and the Shrimpers were continually cut open by the slick passing of their hosts.

Altrincham are well known for the problems they can pose going forward.

But what was alarming about the weekend was just how easy it was for them to work their way through the Shrimpers and just how open the visitors were through the centre of the park.

Blues looked sluggish and slow through the centre of the park early on and,in hindsight, might have been better to stick with James Morton and most definitely Oli Coker in that position.

However, boss Kevin Maher has an abundance of options in midfield and will be keen to use them.

Cav Miley – who has been a hugely influential figure for Blues – also needs minutes and game time to work his way back to full fitness after a back injury.

But on Saturday it did not really work and the Shrimpers could easily have been further behind at the break.

It was a demoralising watch for anyone connected with the club but Blues have bounced back from much worse in recent seasons and must now show that spirit once again.

It is not time for knee-jerk reactions or anything like that but the Shrimpers must get back to being far harder to beat.

On the pitch, they must show the fighting spirit to be able to recover from setbacks and become far nastier to play against for their opponents.

Personally, I think Southend are crying out for a dominant defender capable of leading those around him as well as finding another striker.

Maher must be backed where that is concerned but he is also facing some tough decisions of his own.

I have been a huge admirer of Noor Husin in the past few seasons and have enjoyed the quality he possesses on the ball.

But Husin has now gone 18 games without a goal or an assist and has been well below his best for a sustained period of time - meaning it could now be time to give someone else a chance.

However, things seem to go deeper than just team selection and tactics at this stage.

And, above all else, the Shrimpers must get on the front foot - on and off the pitch - and rediscover that fighting spirit and unity to ensure the football club can start to move in the right direction once more.