SOUTHEND United midfielder Cav Miley says the Shrimpers must embrace hosting table-topping Forest Green Rovers at Roots Hall on Saturday.

In-form Rovers have picked up 40 points from their first 18 games of the season.

But Miley wants Blues, who are 16th in the standings, to be on the front foot as they bid to get back to winning ways.

“We’re at home and we need to be the ones taking control of the game,” said the fit-again 29-year-old.

“We need to get a foothold on the game like we know we can.

“We won’t look at it like we’re playing the team top of the league.

“We’ll look at it like we’re at home and we need to win the game, that’s it.”

And Miley is excited by the challenge.

“It’s a good opportunity playing against a team who are doing so well at home in front of our fans,” said the midfielder.

“We’ve got to see it as a great opportunity and we’ve got to go for the three points.

“We need to give ourselves a little base to get a run of games going where we get points on board.”

The Shrimpers suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Altrincham last weekend having lost 1-0 at home to Yeovil Town seven days previously.

But Miley is taking heart from how Blues bounced back from an indifferent run of results last season.

“Last season I remember we were on a poor run,” recalled Miley.

“We played Oxford City away and it was a really poor performance from us.

“It was 0-0 but we got a point away from home and I think that was the start of a 15 game unbeaten run.

“There were a few games where performances weren’t great but we picked up points and slowly built momentum.

“You get going then performances start coming when the confidence is there.

“On the day we were leaving Oxford we were probably thinking we weren’t overly happy but a few weeks later that was a big point.

“It’s massively important to start picking up points now.”

Miley is keen to ensure the Shrimpers start to climb up the table.

And he is eager to not look back at past problems.

“Everyone is aware what happened in the past and how it was for us but that’s over with now,” said Miley.

“We need to see the challenge as right lets push on again.

“We just missed out on the play-offs last season after what happened which you could look at as an achievement in itself but we don’t want to be that team.

“We want to be in the play-offs challenging at the top of the league.”

Blues will therefore be eager to triumph tomorrow and Miley will again take to the field sporting a moustache he has grown for the Movember challenge.

“At the end of last month a few of us had a conversation,” said Miley.

“We just spoke about giving it a go and raising awareness around men’s health and mental health.

“A few of us are doing it which is great.

“Mine’s not the best but I thought I’d give it a go.”

Maculey Bonne, Gus Scott-Morriss and Danny Waldron are also taking part in Movember, with varying levels of success. 

"One of the boys cheated and didn't shave at the start which in hindsight I shouldn't have done myself," laughed Miley.

"Macca (Bonne) on day one had a moustache I don't think I would be able to grow in about a year.

"I'm 29 now and I'd never be able to grow one like that."