SOUTHEND United manager Paul Sturrock felt the manner of his side’s 3-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday showed the friendly had come too early in Blues’ pre-season preparations.

More than 7,000 fans saw Southend easily brushed aside by the Hammers in appalling wet conditions at Roots Hall.

And Sturrock felt that was down to where both teams currently were in their build up to next season.

“The game was a bit too early for us in our preparations and I think everyone saw that,” said Sturrock.

“West Ham are also 17 days ahead of us in their training and you have to take that in to consideration.

“We were also up against a Premier League side, so it was always going to be a difficult game.”

The wet weather also played havoc with the Roots Hall pitch as the ball was continually caught up in the surface water.

And Sturrock felt the match would have been called off if it had been a league contest.

“If this was a normal game then it would definitely not have taken place,” said the Scotsman.

“But because it’s a friendly you just have to get on with it.

“The biggest plus point for me was that we got no injuries and we can now look forward to continuing our pre-season because we’re in the middle of some very hard work at the moment.”

Sturrock also used the game to take a look at six trialists: Rhys Taylor, Marc-Antoine Gbirsson, Tyron Sealey, Phil Smith, Yohan Folly and Joe Yoffe.

But the Blues boss has yet to decide if they will be offered deals to remain at the club.

“I will watch the recording of the game again and have a closer look at their performances,” said Sturrock.

“My first reaction is that the two goalkeepers — Taylor and Smith — looked competent and not out of place at all. However, I told the players that this was a 45-minute training session for them all and that’s how I looked at it.

“I’m not even going to discuss the actual game at all because it’s not of interest to me and isn’t relevant either.”

Blues now continue their pre-season schedule with a trip to Essex Olympian side Stambridge United this evening, kick-off 7.30pm.