Jason Demetriou: Everything is still positive for Southend United

Blues were beaten 3-2 by Doncaster Rovers in the first game of the new League One season.

But the 30-year-old defender remains excited by the campaign ahead and believes the spirit at Roots Hall is the highest he has ever known.

“I’m really looking forward to this season and Saturday hasn’t changed that,” said Demetriou.

“We have to stay positive and it was actually an excellent performance for most of the match.

“The first half was comfortable and I was really enjoying it.

“I heard one of their players say they just couldn’t get out and he was right.

“Of course we were gutted to lose but it’s one game and there are 45 more to go.

“Blackburn lost at Roots Hall on the opening day of last season and went on to get promotion.

“We want to do the same now and I would have to say this group is the most positive I’ve known since being here.

“Everyone is gelling on and off the pitch and that has to be a good thing.”

However, Demetriou - who joined Southend in the summer of 2016 - knows Chris Powell’s team must also learn from Saturday’s setback.

And the right-back fully understands that defensive improvements must be made.

“We’ve had a look at it again and seen the silly things we did,” said Demetriou.

“We know we have to maintain concentration both individually and collectively and cut those kind of things out.

“The goals we gave away were disappointing and the third one killed us. If that doesn’t go in then I think we definitely get something from the game.

“But we will work on what went on and do what we can to stop it happening again.”

That challenge will begin at Plymouth Argyle this weekend.

And Demetriou is fully aware of how tough the Pilgrims will be to face after suffering a 4-0 defeat at Home Park towards the end of last season.

“Maybe last season we didn’t know quite how good they are but we do now,” said the defender.

“After the frustration of Saturday we can’t wait to play again.”