FORMER Southend United manager Steve Tilson believes the current Shrimpers side have what it takes to win promotion this season.

And he is certain his former skipper Adam Barrett – who could return to the Blues squad this weekend - can play a prominent part in that happening.

Tilson masterminded Southend’s last promotion out of League Two, back in 2005.

But he now feels Phil Brown’s team are capable of emulating that achievement.

“I’ve actually seen Southend quite a few times this season now and I honestly can’t see any reason why they can’t be promoted this season,” said Tilson.

“Bringing Adam back in will give everyone a massive lift and I really do think it’s a great signing.

“Adam’s fantastic on and off the pitch, he’s a real leader and he will give everyone at the club and supporting it a real boost during the remainder of the season which could definitely see Southend go up.”

The Shrimpers are currently sixth in the League Two table and have been beaten just once in their last 12 league outings.

Last time out they won 3-2 at Oxford United.

And Tilson believes scoring three goals would have given Blues a real boost.

“The only thing that could possibly stop Southend going up is that they don’t score enough goals so it was great to see them get three at Oxford last weekend,” said the 48-year-old, who achieved back to back promotions with the Shrimpers.

“They’re well organised defensively and don’t concede many goals so you would expect what happens at the other end to determine what they achieve this season.

“But scoring those goals at Oxford would’ve given them a boost and now they will be looking to build on that.”

Next up for Blues is a trip to Portsmouth this weekend, in a fixture which brings back bad memories for Tilson.

The former Southend midfielder scored a spectacular own goal during the Shrimpers’ 4-2 defeat at Fratton Park in August 1995.

And it is an encounter Tilson remembers well.

“It was right at the start of the game and it was a great finish right in the corner to be fair,” said Tilson.

“It was obviously a bad moment but it was the only own goal I ever scored in my career so I didn’t do too badly.

“But I hope the current Southend players do even better this weekend because it’s a big game against a massive club who should be doing far better than they are.”