Chris Phillips: My views on the Blues (From Echo)

Chris Phillips: My views on the Blues

9:07am Monday 13th February 2012 in Sport By Chris Phillips

Ryan Hall goes for goal

THIS is now far more than just a blip or a slight slump in fortune for Southend United.

Blues have been below par for quite some time and, following Friday night's 2-0 defeat to Rotherham United, they have won just three of their last 11 league games.

Paul Sturrock's side have therefore taken just 11 points from the previous 33 on offer.

And, if you were to start a league table from the beginning of December, Southend would sit 15th in the League Two standings having also played more matches than other side.

It is a confusing and worrying turn around in results for the Roots Hall outfit who, for the first half of the season, seemed to be cruising towards promotion.

However, a top three finish is now seriously in doubt and a number of factors have contributed to Southend's demise.

The team are currently lacking in confidence and have started to leak goals at an alarming rate.

Twelve goals have been conceded in the last five games and there can be no denying the absence of the injured Mark Phillips has played a pivotal part in opposing strikers scoring more regularly.

But joining Phillips in the treatment room right now is Ryan Leonard and his absence is also being felt more than many people realise.

Leonard has been an unsung hero in the Blues side this season and has a higher winning percentage (61 per cent) from his starts than any other player in Sturrock's squad.

That underlines and emphasises the fact that success at this level can only be achieved through the hard work of an entire team.

And such an ethos was what got Blues in to contention towards the top of the table in the first place, along with correct team selections.

However both of those have been lacking in recent weeks and must quickly be rediscovered if Southend are to avoid remaining in the basement division.