Steve Hammell is desperate to see Southend United avoid another drubbing at the hands of Cardiff City tomorrow.

The Bluebirds recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory at Roots Hall earlier on in the season.

And Hammell is anxious for a different story on Saturday when they Shrimpers visit Ninian Park.

"The first game with them is the worst I think we played since I've been here," said the summer signing from Motherwell.

"They beat us comfortably which wasn't nice at all and we can't afford for that to happen again tomorrow."

Cardiff were top of the table when they brushed aside Blues back in September.

But since then they have started to stutter and are now 10 points behind new leaders Birmingham City.

"Cardiff are not on the best of runs so hopefully it will be a good time to go there and play them," said Hammell.

"We have to make sure we're on top of our game because with the position we're in we need points from every match we play and it would be great to get three tomorrow."