SLOWLY but surely Southend United are showing signs of improvement this season.

And Saturday’s well-deserved 2-0 win at Halifax Town was further proof of things heading in the right direction for the Shrimpers.

Blues headed to the Shay Stadium without a win in five matches.

But, while football is very much a results based business, scratch beneath the surface and there had been more to the games than the recent score-lines suggested.

The Shrimpers ran Charlton Athletic close in an enthralling FA Cup clash before their match with Yeovil Town was ruined by over-zealous officiating.

After that, Blues were very much second best in a 2-0 defeat at Altrincham but the response to that frustrating afternoon has been largely positive.

The Shrimpers fought back to draw 2-2 with then league leaders Forest Green Rovers before playing virtually the whole of the second half with 10 men in Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw with Woking.

However, in many ways, the share of the spoils with the Cardinals had been indicative of the season so far.

For just as it seemed like Blues were ready to kick on and win, something went against them.

It was Cav Miley’s red card which prevented three points on Tuesday and prior to that the Shrimpers have also been hit by frustrating unforced errors, injuries, dubious decisions and unexpected departures.

That coming after a disrupted pre-season and transfer recruitment has made it tough going at times this term.

And, after all of the trials and tribulations surrounding the club’s future in previous years, I am not sure if I am alone in finding it hard to fully engage with the football again this season.

It has been so difficult for so long following Southend United that it was always going to take time to completely come through the other side.

Supporting Blues had become somewhat exhausting and chairman Justin Rees was right to point out the mental effects of the club’s off-field issues.

Thankfully, the Shrimpers now have the financial sustainability needed to avoid such issues and that remains the biggest win the club will secure this season.

But, while being sympathetic towards the struggles, they cannot be used as an excuse for under-performing if and when that happens.

Blues currently sit 14th in the table and the harsh reality is they should be higher.

Saturday’s performance underlined that fact but the Shrimpers were still forced to survive a scare when the game was sgoalless as Billy Waters somehow fired over the crossbar from close range.

After that, Blues took control with Bim Pepple taking centre stage despite having been suffering with an illness on the eve of the game.

Pepple was unable to complete training on Friday due to feeling unwell and boss Kevin Maher was unsure whether or not to select the striker in his starting line-up.

However, Pepple led the line superbly and caused the hosts all kinds of problems with his pace, power and hold up play.

The only criticism was the fact he did not score more than his left footed shot which gave Blues the lead after the break.

The Shrimpers stayed on top in the second half and sealed their win in pleasing fashion when Adam Crowther headed home a left wing corner from James Morton.

Blues’ dead ball deliveries had been below par recently, particular so against Woking in the week.

But Saturday showed just how important they can be and it is an area Southend can hurt teams if the ball is delivered well enough.

Morton was also involved in the build up to the first goal and is now becoming a key part of the Shrimpers midfield.

The composed midfielder brings a wide range of passing to the team but also has good mobility and a fine understanding of the game.

Alongside him, George Moncur was handed an opportunity to impress at the weekend and showed glimpses of what he can bring to the team.

Moncur had previously started just one of the last nine games for Blues and will now be hoping for further opportunities to fully prove his worth.

Shrimpers boss Maher is spoilt for choice in midfield though and is now facing a difficult decision around Cav Miley.

Miley had long been a stand-out performer for Southend but this season he has been hindered by injury and suspension.

The problem is Miley will need games to get back to his best but the form of those around him could make it hard for him to fit in.

Maher will be mulling things over ahead of Saturday’s FA Trophy clash at Brentwood Town and will be determined to ensure the season continues to move forward in a successful manner Saturday again showed what the Shrimpers can do when at their best.

But how often those levels can be reached will ultimately decide their destiny this season.