JUST how soon is too soon to start panicking about your season?

That’s the conundrum concerning Southend United at this early stage of the season.

Blues’ 2-0 defeat at Port Vale on Saturday was their third in succession at the start of new term.

And, while alarm bells should never be ringing in August, there are genuine reasons to worry around Roots Hall right now.

Blues’ loss of form had been going on long before the last fortnight and, despite those within the camp dismissing what happened last season, it does point towards a serious situation rather than just being a slight blip.

Since the turn of 2016, the Shrimpers have taken just 22 points from a possible 75 in 25 league outings.

Fifteen of those games have ended in defeat and Blues have now set an unwanted club record of eight successive setbacks.

Such a situation is obviously unwanted and certainly seems to be affecting the players.

Southend actually started quite brightly on Saturday and had the better of the opening exchanges.

But once their period of pressure went unrewarded and Port Vale hit back to break the deadlock there was only ever going to be one winner as Blues’ soft underbelly was again exposed.

Somehow or other that has to be eradicated and fast if the Shrimpers are to avoid a season of struggle.

Immediate investment is required in the squad as Southend are severely short of numbers and, in truth, quality in key areas.

Blues are crying out for a dominant central defender capable of shoring up their back four after conceding eight goals in their first three games of the new campaign.

An improved partnership would also enable Southend’s attack minded full-backs – Jason Demetriou and Ben Coker – to show off their creative talents but it is not just at the back where Blues are struggling.

In midfield, their quartet – other than Stephen McLaughlin – have struggled to make much of an impression so far and have often been outfought and outclassed.

Injuries to Anthony Wordsworth and Michael Timlin have not helped in that area and the Shrimpers are lacking a more physical presence in the centre of the park.

Further forward, Blues are also struggling and a striker has yet to hit the back of the net so far.

Nile Ranger will now need to hit the ground running when he recovers from a groin injury but he could well find it hard to make an instant impression having hardly played in recent seasons.

Another striker is therefore required but the Shrimpers have struggled to bring in enough reinforcements this summer.

Club chiefs have blamed the change in the loan system for Blues’ shortcomings in the transfer market.

But that now needs to be overcome as Southend’s squad is crying out for serious investment.

The lack of options from the substitutes’ bench underlines the need for new signings and Blues must have more cash than normal to bring them in too.

Isaac Hayden’s move from Arsenal to Newcastle this summer saw the Shrimpers receive a six figure sum while they will also be boosted by the departures of Daniel Bentley and Jack Payne at some point in the near future.

Those funds now need to be put back into the squad in order for Blues to compete and ease the frustrations of their fans.

Many of them sarcastically chanted for Phil Brown to be given a role in the England set up during Saturday’s disappointment.

The Blues boss is now under more pressure than ever before at Roots Hall and is already facing a huge couple of weeks – both on and off the pitch – to rectify the Shrimpers’ recent plight.