JUST as it seemed things had started to click in to place for Southend United, they sunk to a 2-1 defeat against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

The Shrimpers headed in to Saturday’s showdown without a defeat in 10 games, four wins in their last five outings and seven successive clean sheets at Roots Hall.

Such statistics, along with the fact Blues remain just two points below the automatic promotion places, make it difficult to criticise a below par showing from Phil Brown’s side.

But, despite the recent run of good results, home performances do remain a concern for the Shrimpers.

Last time out they saw off a Cheltenham Town side who were perhaps the poorest Blues have faced all season and before that they were forced to ride their luck before fortuitously beating struggling York City 1-0.

The right formula at Roots Hall has therefore yet to be found and, on Saturday, a lack of width was an obvious omission.

Blues’ play often seemed congested in the centre of the park and it stifled their attacking talent.

Their only real clear cut chance, up until Barry Corr’s goal, came when a mistake from Accrington defender Robert Atkinson sent Joe Pigott through on goal.

And had the on loan Charlton Athletic hit the back of the net and not the top of the crossbar then it could well have been a different story for the Shrimpers.

But, after that opportunity went begging, very few others followed as Blues again struggled to break down their opposition at their own ground.

The influential David Worrall, who had missed Southend’s last two games with an illness, should now be restored to the starting line-up, especially at home, to allow play to spread far more often.

However, how to get the best from Jack Payne at Roots Hall remains a far more confusing conundrum.

Payne, without any shadow of doubt, is one of the most exciting and talented prospects to have come through the youth ranks at the club in several seasons.

But his most impressive showings along with six of his seven goals this term have all come on the road.

Payne has actually only bagged one goal in 16 outings at Roots Hall during the current campaign and will be looking to improve that tally during the remainder of the season.

However, somehow or other Blues must find a way to see off opposing sides intent of stifling the game as four of their remaining seven home games are up against teams in the bottom 10.

More pace and more width would be beneficial additions and so too would a return to the level of defending the Shrimpers have become accustomed to this season.

Prior to Saturday’s meeting with Accrington, Blues have not conceded a league goal at Roots Hall since October.

But, right from kick-off at the weekend, the centre-back pairing of Adam Thompson and Jerome Binnom-Williams looked rather shaky and John Coleman’s side took full advantage to come out on top.

That also made it a miserable debut for Shrimpers goalkeeper Ted Smith who was handed his first senior start between the sticks.

However, the youngster’s inclusion had no effect on the outcome of the game and Smith, who produced an assured performance, seems destined for a bright future in the game.

But is it the immediate future of the team which is the main concern as too is bouncing back from Saturday’s setback.

More experience at the heart of the defence could be a welcome addition and Luke Prosser and Adam Barrett must surely come back in to the reckoning for this weekend’s clash at Stevenage.

One defeat in 11 outings should not cause too much of an outrage or too much criticism but lessons certainly do need to be learned from the defeat, especially when Blues next return to action at Roots Hall.