SOUTHEND United manager Paul Sturrock has his sights set on improving his team's home form, starting with Saturday's game against Rochdale.

Blues have gone five league games without a win at Roots Hall.

And Sturrock is keen to sort that out.

“If we can improve our home form and keep the away results the same then we would really start to climb this league,” said Sturrock.

“We will try and come up with something to help us sort it out because we do need to improve.

“We've scored eight goals in our last two away games but we haven't scored at all in our last two home league games so we need to do better.

“Hopefully that can begin on Saturday but Rochdale are a strong side and we will be in for a tough game against them.”

Dale currently sixth in the League Two table having played a game less than most of their high-flying rivals.

However, Southend will be facing them full of confidence after thrashing AFC Wimbledon 4-1 on Tuesday night.

But Sturrock was not completely satisfied with the performance.

“The first half was very disappointing,” said the Scotsman.

“I thought we looked sluggish and I think that could have been down to working so hard against Torquay and then having the long trip home.

“Wimbledon started strongly too but in the second half we were much better and I was very pleased.

“The front two were able to get more space and it was pleasing to get three goals from set pieces because we do work very hard on them.”

Kevan Hurst helped to create all four of Blues' goals at Kingsmeadow and two were again put away by Gavin Tomlin.

But Sturrock did not think the striker was at his best against the Dons.

“I thought it was one of his poorer matches but he was still able to get a couple of games,” said Sturrock.

“He's a very important player for us because he works hard, makes goals and is scoring them too.

“He could probably already be on about 20 goals due to the chances he's had but he's on a good run at the moment and we hope it can continue.”