AFTER securing four league victories in succession against teams from the bottom nine, Saturday’s trip to table topping Wycombe Wanderers was always going to give a clearer indication of Southend United’s promotion credentials.

The signs were initially positive at Adams Park too as the Shrimpers raced into an early lead with Jack Payne working his way on to the score-sheet.

But, after that, the Chairboys took control to record a convincing 4-1 victory which sent Southend out of the play-off positions and down to eighth in the League Two table.

Dodgy defending was ultimately to blame for the drubbing as Blues looked shaky at the back and gifted Wycombe their goals.

In their toughest test for several weeks, the Southend defence was simply not able to cope – especially from set pieces – enabling the home-side to run riot.

The constant chopping and changing in the back four will not have helped and the calming influence of captain John White was certainly a big miss on Saturday.

Without him, Ryan Leonard was forced to fill in at right-back on his return to the team while Jerome Binnom-Williams was restored on the opposite side of the defence.

The on loan Crystal Palace youngster was initially outstanding after arriving from the Eagles but in recent weeks he has been well below those levels.

As a result, he was unable to work his way back in to the team after serving a one match suspension and he suffered a new low at the weekend after being dismissed for a strong challenge on Wycombe midfielder Josh Scowen.

On first viewing from my angle, the decision looked harsh as Binnom-William seemed to play the ball.

But television replays later confirmed it to be the correct verdict and the subsequent suspension means Binnom-Williams could well have now played his last match for the Shrimpers.

Despite that, Blues must find a way to keep a settled back four with players playing in their preferred positions if they are to regain the required tightness at the back.

With that in mind, the imminent return of Ben Coker could also not be coming at a better time.

The left-back, who was one of Blues’ best players last season, has been out with an elbow injury since September.

But he was out on the pitch before the game at the weekend and is now due back within the next fortnight.

With him on the left and White on the right, the Shrimpers will be far more secure, although there remains a question mark on who is best to line up alongside Luke Prosser at the heart of the defence and whether any of the options are up to the task on a consistent basis against the top teams.

Further forward, Blues boast a whole host of options in the midfield.

That was shown by Gary Deegan, Conor Clifford and Will Atkinson all being on the bench at Wycombe.

However, having that strength and depth in the centre of the park, made the signing of John-Joe O’Toole quite a curious addition.

It was originally perceived that the midfielder would be used as an attacking outlet to enhance the Shrimpers in the final third in a bid to improve their goalscoring record.

But, in the two games since his arrival, O’Toole has not been getting forward and he struggled badly before being taken off at half-time against Wycombe.

Blues must now work out how best to utilise O’Toole in their system as they strive to establish themselves towards the top of the table.

Going forward, Jack Payne remains by far the biggest threat and he was again the Shrimpers’ best player at the weekend.

His quick feet and footballing brain will continue to create chances for those around him.

But whether or not enough of them can be taken and whether or not the defence can stand firm under pressure against the stronger sides will have a huge say in how successful Southend will be this season.

Plenty more will be learnt, in both of their key areas, when Blues host Burton on Friday.

And the Shrimpers will also be determined to show they have what it takes to still be considered as one of the best sides at this level.