ANTHONY Straker feels having more belief in his ability has been the main reason behind his remarkable Roots Hall resurgence.

Straker was often singled out for criticism last season as he struggled to impress on a regular basis. But those jeers from the stands have now turned into cheers for the 25-year-old who has scored three goals in his last three games.

And the speedy winger is certain rediscovering his confidence has helped him find the best form of his career so far.

“Last year was a bit up and down for me and I would be the first to admit that, but I have a bit more belief about myself now and I think that’s definitely helped,” said Straker.

“We all had chats with the manager at the end of last season and in mine he was very positive about me and what I could do at the club.

“The manager had belief in my ability and that really helped me.

“I still played a lot of games last year but my form wasn’t consistent and, of course, it’s not nice when you can hear people shouting out. But without being disrespectful, you have to just let it go over your head and get on with your job on the pitch.”

And Straker added: “There were some low times and I would say being left out of the squad for the JPT area final against Leyton Orient would have been the lowest of them all.

“However, this year I felt good in pre-season and the goal I scored at Chelmsford was also a big help.

“It showed what I was capable of doing and I do think the form I’m in now is certainly up there with the best of my whole career.

“I also had a good spell of form for Aldershot when I was playing left wing for them as well, so maybe I’m better suited to that role.”

Straker played mainly as a left back for the Shrimpers last season but has pushed further forward into midfield this time around.

That change in position was largely down to the arrival of left-back Ben Coker during the summer and the duo have formed a fantastic partnership down the left-hand side. But Coker’s arrival initially had Straker worrying about his future at the club.

“When somebody signs and they play the position you have been playing in then I think it would be weird if you weren’t a bit worried about not playing,” said Straker.

“That happened with me when Ben signed, but he’s a very good player and he’s done well for us this season.

“I link up well with him too and I think that’s because we’ve both played left-back and left wing so we know what’s involved.

“I’ve always been an attacking type of left-back so I’ve always liked to get forward, but when you’re on the wing there’s not as much defending involved.

“It’s been going well and it’s been good to have a got a few goals but it’s still only November and I have to keep it going to help the team try and go up this year.

“We missed out last year, but I think we have a real chance this season.”

Blues’ 2-0 victory at Exeter City on Saturday was their third in succession and moved them up to fifth in the League Two table.

Straker helped to create both goals in the win at St James Park and boss Phil Brown will now be looking for the team to impress on a consistent basis.

The winger is full of praise for the job the manager has done since taking charge of the Shrimpers last March.

And he also feels Brown’s appointment has helped bring the best out of him at Blues.

“I think you’re sometimes suited to the way a manager plays and the systems he uses and I think that’s happened with me and the manager we have here now,” said Straker.

“I learnt things from Paul Sturrock when he was here and I still use them in my game now.

“However, things have just worked out better for me this season. Sometimes it can take time to settle into a new club and new surroundings and maybe that was the case for me.”

Straker came to Blues before the start of last season after spending five years with Aldershot Town.

The midfielder made 222 appearances during that time and, having played a further 53 times for Southend, he is now among the most experienced players in the squad.

“I played a lot of games at Aldershot, which was great for me and my career, and I had a good time there,” said Straker, who was with Crystal Palace before joining the Shots.

“We won promotion in my first season to get back into the Football League and had some good cup runs too. We played against Manchester United and West Ham when I was there and it was great.

“But, in the end, I just felt like I needed a change. I was getting comfortable and that’s not a good thing so I wanted to move on.

“I had a few different options but I picked Southend due to the good things I had heard about the club and how close they had come to winning promotion the year before.”

Straker has never regretted making the switch to Roots Hall.

And he now has his sights set on making this the best season of his career.

“My best ever goalscoring season is six and it would be great to beat that as I’m already on four,” said Straker.

“But it’s winning promotion that matters most and we want to keep our good form going against York this weekend to try and get even further up the table.

“Then we want to try and stay there and I want to keep on playing well to try and make sure that happens.”