SUCH are the extreme trials and tribulations associated with Southend United that many have often compared their ongoing dramas to that of a soap opera.

But following Blues’ fortunes away from home right now would be suited to something far more sinister.

For Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at high-flying Wigan Athletic continued the Shrimpers’ dire record on the road this season and Phil Brown’s side have now picked up just four points from a possible 21 on their travels.

However, equally as worrying is their defensive record which has seen them concede 20 goals in those seven matches.

That terrible tally is six higher than any other side in League One and also sees the Shrimpers joining League Two side Yeovil Town in having conceded the most away goals out of the entire 92 clubs in the top four divisions.

Interestingly and to further underline the seriousness of the situation, Bolton Wanderers only conceded 20 goals away from home all season when winning promotion from this level last term.

Blues began the current campaign looking to follow in the Trotters’ foot-steps and the significant improvements made during the second half of last season seemed to suggest Southend would be well set to challenge for a top six finish.

Those hopes were further boosted by some expensive summer acquisitions but the Shrimpers currently find themselves sitting 15th in the League One standings having been unable to hit top form on a consistent basis.

A lack of continuity is an obvious problem and Blues only really began to impress last season when a consistent starting line-up and formation was able to be This time around however, players have continually come in and out of the side while others have been forced to fill in out of position.

Much of that has arguably been down to the size of the squad which was decided by boss Brown who went for quality over quantity back in the summer.

But some of those Brown put his faith in came to the club with a questionable fitness record in recent seasons and it is therefore not really a surprise to find them on the sidelines.

Two red cards in the last two games have not helped the situation and Brown will go into tomorrow’s clash with Peterborough United missing seven of his first team squad. Such a scenario has left the Shrimpers short in certain areas and that was shown up by a strong Wigan side on Saturday.

The Latics seem well set to secure an immediate return to the Championship whereas Blues, at this stage, seem unlikely to mount a sustained push for promotion.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Southend currently have a soft under-belly which has been consistently exposed on the road.

One goal being conceded often leads to one or two more in quick succession and that has now happened on far too many occasions to be a coincidence.

Rotherham scored three goals in 23 minutes, Gillingham two in seven, Charlton two in three, Doncaster four in 11 and Wigan two in four at the weekend to compound another miserable away day for Blues who now find themselves 15th in the table.

Of course, those with the glass half full will point to the fact it is still early in the season and that for large spells on Saturday’s clash the Shrimpers were able to contain a strong Wigan side. But, in truth, Blues never looked like scoring at the DW Stadium and Wigan goalkeeper Jamie Jones did not have a single save to make.

At the other end of the field, Southend shot-stopper Mark Oxley was among the visitors’ best players but he was let down by some unacceptable defending late on which enabled the Latics to increase the margin of their victory.

The disappointing conclusion will increase the pressure on Blues ahead of another busy week which seems them play twice in quick succession, thankfully at home!