SOUTHEND United midfielder Alan McCormack insists continuity, confidence and an increased work-load have revived the Shrimpers season.

Steve Tilson’s side seemed set to be dragged into a relegation dogfight at the foot of the table.

But they have now revived their fortunes with a run of good results and McCormack wants that to continue against Walsall tomorrow.

“We’re playing very well at the moment,” said the Irishman.

“Walsall have been getting good results too but I’m not worried about them. We’ve been some of the best teams in this league over the last few weeks and have no reason to fear anyone.

“The defence and midfield has stayed the same for weeks now and that has made a massive difference.

“We have more confidence and belief in each other too and I think we’re working even harder too so we want that to carry on between now and the end of the season.”

The new look back four - which has seen centre-back Dorian Dervite coming in on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and Adam Barrett switching to left back - have conceded just one goal from open play in their last seven matches.

And McCormack believes that has also made a huge difference to the Shrimpers.

“The boys at the back have just been different class for us lately,” he said.

“It really has helped us and it’s been great to start getting clean sheets again.

“The performances have been good and, even though we lost, we played very well against Millwall in the week too.

“We just couldn’t get the goal our play deserved too.”

Blues have won five of their last seven matches during a run which has seen McCormack rediscover his best form.

The tough tackler missed the start of the season with a knee injury and initially struggled to impress when he returned to action.

But he is now bossing games once again and setting the tempo for the rest of the team with his amazing energy levels.

“It’s easier to do well in a team which is playing well and that has catapulted me forward,” said the 25-year-old.

“I’m playing better again and want to keep it going.”

The Shrimpers will be forced into at least one change for tomorrow’s game as Jean-Francois Christophe serves a one match suspension after accumulating five yellow cards.

Anthony Grant is likely to move into the middle of the park next to McCormack with either Simon Francis or Kevin Betsy coming back into the team on the right wing.

Southend (from): Mildenhall, Sankofa, Clarke, Dervite, Barrett, Francis, Grant, McCormack, Moussa, Robinson, Barnard, Laurent, Betsy, Joyce, O’Keefe and Herd.

>BLUES youth team are in action away from home tomorrow as they travel to Luton Town, kick off 11am.