CHRIS Powell is desperate for Southend United to improve their ‘worrying’ home form.

The Shrimpers - who host Bristol Rovers tomorrow - have already suffered eight League defeats at Roots Hall this season.

And Powell is eager for Blues to start picking up more points at their own ground.

“It’s a been a strange thing for us this year,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“Every game we’ve lost at home has been by the odd goal which has normally been by quite late on.

“It’s a worrying trend because you want to be strong at home.

“You want your fans to come and feel as they we’ve got a good chance but it’s been a tough one for us.”

Only bottom of the table AFC Wimbledon have suffered more home defeats than the Shrimpers in League One this season.

And Powell is not sure why Blues have been below at their own base.

“Roots Hall notoriously over the years has been a tough place to come to,” said Powell.

“(Luton manager) Mick Harford was saying that last week but they won with a set piece and it’s another one ticked off for them.

“But we need to make it our home and we haven’t done that.

“We don’t want it to become a negative so the players don’t want to play at home because the fans are always good.

“They will always stick by the team and I know that.”

However, Powell is also fully aware the Shrimpers are facing some stern tests at Roots Hall.

“We have to turn it around but we have some tough ones to come,” said Powell.

“Barnsley, Sunderland and Portsmouth have to come here still but all we can do is take each game on its merit.

“We have to make sure we turn up and we haven’t done that enough at home.

“We have to turn things in our favour and make it difficult for every side coming here.

“We haven’t cracked that so far but hopefully we can in the games we have left.”

That quest will begin against Bristol Rovers this weekend.

But the Pirates could also provide the Shrimpers with a stern test, despite them sitting second from bottom in the standings.

“Bristol Rovers have done very well on their travels,” said Powell.

“They’ve got some vital wins on the road and won at Oxford just after we played there.

“They’ve done pretty well away from home and we’ll have to guard against that because they will want to carry that on and put us under pressure.”