MICHAEL Timlin is certain Southend United will not fade away for the third season in succession.

The Shrimpers, who host Wycombe Wanderers at Roots Hall tomorrow, have fallen out of promotion contention towards the end of their last two seasons.

But Timlin is adamant that will not happen again.

“It’s unthinkable that we could fall away again and it’s not even entering our minds,” said the Blues midfielder.

“I have every confidence in the lads and the staff have done everything for us to put us in to contention.

“No other League Two team will have what we do in terms of a managerial team so we have no excuses and we need to start picking up more points again.

“Performances don’t really matter at this stage, it’s just about winning the games.”

Blues are still seventh in the League Two standings but have not won for eight games.

Tuesday’s defeat at struggling Northampton Town meant the Shrimpers have taken just four points from the last 21 on offer.

And Timlin is demanding an immediate improvement against the Chairboys.

“We haven’t done well enough in the last few weeks and we apologise to everyone for that,” said the 28-year-old.

“We want the fans to stick by us and we need to start doing better for them again.

“I think we have a point to prove to them and also to the other teams in this league and show that we aren’t going to fall down the table.

“We’re not going to be downbeat because we’re a good side and we want to prove that at the weekend.”

Wycombe come to Roots Hall sitting 21st in the standings.

But they have triumphed in their last two outings and Timlin is expecting a real test against the Chairboys.

“Gareth Ainsworth’s team play like he does and are very combative,” said Timlin.

“We are going to have to roll our sleeves up, get stuck in and do whatever we have to get the three points because it’s win at all costs now.

“Even it’s a scrappy game and we score a scrappy goal to win it, it really doesn’t matter.

“Saturday is a huge game now and I can’t wait for it to start.”