SOUTHEND United left-back Ben Coker has urged his team-mates to be as positive as possible for tomorrow’s clash with Cambridge United at Roots Hall.

Blues head in to the game having suffered a heartbreaking last gasp 2-1 defeat at 10 man Burton Albion on Wednesday night.

But Coker does not want the Shrimpers to dwell on the disappointment.

And he instead wants Phil Brown’s side to respond in style by winning all nine of their remaining matches, starting with all three points against the 18th placed U’s.

“Losing at Burton was a horrible, horrible feeling but it’s gone now and we need to get back to feeling positive again,” said the defender.

“There’s nothing to be gained in moping around after a poor 45 minutes and we need to be as bubbly as we can be in training and then take that into the game tomorrow.

“I certainly don’t think we need to panic and it won’t be a problem lifting ourselves for the game after Wednesday.

“The good thing in football is there’s virtually always a chance to put things and we will want to do that tomorrow.

“We’ve had a talk about things among ourselves and we want to take all 27 points still on offer because I certainly think we’re capable of doing that.”

However, fifth placed Blues – who are now six points below the automatic promotion places - have struggled to be at their best on a consistent basis in the last few weeks, winning just two of their last seven games.

And, as they bid to put that right, Coker will have to put sentiment to one side after he grew up watching Cambridge and also spent five years playing in their youth system.

“I still only live about 20 minutes from their ground and was with them when I was 10 up until 15,” recalled Coker.

“I used to go and watch them when I was a kid and obviously while I was there as well.

“I’ve always enjoyed going to the Abbey so playing against them is always a special game for me in a way.

“But this is big match too and it’s one we need to win because we still have an awful lot to play for this season.”