SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell wants an away day improvement at Oxford United this weekend.

The Shrimpers boss has gone five games without a win on the road.

And Powell is desperate to put that right tomorrow.

“I want more points away from home,” said the 48-year-old Blues boss.

“We’ve had a really good run at home and we’ve got some good results but we haven’t won away since my first away game at Peterborough.

“I want to change that and I want us to take it to Oxford, Oldham and Bradford in the away games we have left.

“They are all going to be very difficult matches in their own right but I really do feel we can win at least two of them.”

The Shrimpers have not netted from open play in any of Powell’s six away games and have not netted in the second half of a game on the road since September.

However, Powell was boosted by Blues’ display at Blackburn Rovers last weekend, despite the 1-0 defeat.

“We got the performance against Blackburn,” said Powell.

“They are a team who look certain to finish first or second and at the end of the game they were talking about getting away with one.

“We’re definitely learning but I don’t want to be learning and losing.

“I want the performances but I want the results to go with them too.”

Powell will want that to start against Oxford United this weekend.

And he is still hungry for more points despite the Shrimpers boss having reached the points target he first set when taking charge at Roots Hall at the end of January.

“When I came in, I can say it now I wanted 29 points because I knew 60 points would be fine from the position we’re in but I want more now,” said Powell.

“Things are moving forward with how I see the squad and how I see us playing on a regular basis but that has to carry on.”

And, with that progression in mind, Powell has been holding talks with his players who will be out of contract at the end of the current campaign.

“I’ve had discussions with players about the rest of this season and next but there’s nothing for public consumption yet,” said Powell.

“But I know it’s something which will have to be dealt with as soon as possible. “