AT the end of the season you always look back on turning points and I do think the 0-0 draw at Peterborough is going to be one of ours.

The last gasp penalty save from Daniel Bentley after the linesman had a last minute melt-down looks to be incredibly important because it stopped the rot.

And since then we’ve been able to win three games in a row.

Peterborough was also the first game in which we used our new 5-3-2 system which does seem to suit virtually all of our players.

We’ve been really pleased with how it’s gone but there’s always room for improvement.

Adam Thompson has filled in very admirably indeed on the left hand side of the three centre-backs but I think maybe a natural left footer would be better suited to that role.

Echo:

Adam Thompson - lining up on the left hand side of the back three

In the midfield, we also have plenty of energy and commitment which is great but we could probably do with a bit more creativity in there.

That’s something we will be looking at but things are going very well at the moment and we will continue working incredibly hard to try and make sure that keeps on happening.

HATS OFF TO MY PLAYERS

SATURDAY’S local derby with Colchester had a bit of everything, including us picking up another three points.

Unfortunately there was an unsavoury incident on the far side involving a few fans but I really do need to take my hat off to the players for the way they were able to defuse a heated situation.

I’ve watched it back on the DVD and Adam Barrett, Anthony Wordsworth, Daniel Bentley and Luke O’Neill all go over to calm down our fans and get them back into their seats.

Echo:

Anthony Wordsworth - helped to calm down Southend's supporters

Owen Garvan did the same with the visiting supporters and it stopped the situation getting far worse.

But, to be honest, I would rather focus on the football and also praise the players for their patience.

At the start of the second half it did look as though the 10 man of Colchester were going to get the victory.

It seemed to be going the same way as our last two games when we had got the victory after having a player sent off.

But thankfully we were able to get three late goals to get the three points to make it a really pleasing afternoon.

GUTTED BY RYAN LEONARD'S INJURY

THE only down-side of Saturday’s victory was the injury picked up by Ryan Leonard.

He’s an important player for us and he’s going to be out for two to three months which is a real blow.

We’re not short of options in there though and Michael Timlin is now available again after completing his one match ban.

Tims was shown two yellow cards after coming on against Shrewsbury but I think there was quite a lot going on in his head that night.

Earlier that day, me and him had a tete a tete about the team selection.

He thought he should have started the game and come in for Gary Deegan who was suspended and I was explained how we were going with a different formation.

Echo:

Gary Deegan - pushing for a recall

I think that fired Michael up and when he came on he was probably a little bit over zealous which resulted in the bookings.

But the game’s changing now and I don’t think I could play in it, that’s for sure.

I was quite a tough tackling full-back in my day and I used to think you had a right as a defender to leave one on a winger to even it up a little bit but you can’t get away with that nowadays.

Saying that though, I still love my players to be competitive and I’m glad I have the likes of Gary Deegan and Michael Timlin in our dressing room.

GREAT TO SEE WOODY BACK

IT was great for Anthony Wordsworth to score against his former team on his return from injury at the weekend.

And he followed that up by playing the full 90 minutes in a behind closed doors game we had in the week.

He wasn’t the only one though as Stephen McLaughlin, Noel Hunt and Jamar Loza all played as well so I’ll be having a few more selection headaches than usual.

Echo:

Jamar Loza - back in contention

The main one will be who to bring in to replace Lenny.

We have plenty of options, including Gary Deegan who is now sporting a new look.

I have spoken to Gary in the past about his image but would never tell my players what to do where that is concerned.

He’s had his hair and beard trimmed but I don’t really care about any of that.

At the end of the day, I don’t want the opposition to be aware of Gary because of his beard or shorts.

I want them to notice him because he’s giving them a tough time and I’m sure that will continue to happen.

LOAN WINDOW UPDATE

THE emergency loan window is now open again but that won’t be the case this time next season.

It’s being scrapped but I don’t think it will make that much difference.

Some of things I don’t agree with it but it basically just means you will have to get your business done a bit earlier.