IT wasn’t supposed to be this way for Southend United this season.

The previous campaign had finished in fine fashion with the Shrimpers stringing together a run of impressive results to secure a top 10 finish.

And hopes were high of Blues taking that momentum into the new campaign and mounting a sustained push for at least the play-offs.

But, following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to fellow strugglers AFC Wimbledon, the out of sorts Shrimpers are staring relegation right in the face.

Blues have now gone 10 games without a win and have taken just four points from a possible 30 during that period to make them the most out of form team in the League One table.

Saturday’s setback also saw the Shrimpers equal an unwanted club record as they slumped to their 11th home defeat of the season.

Only twice before – in 2003/04 and 2006/07 – have Blues been beaten so many times in one campaign at their own ground.

And the latest loss could not really have come at a worse time as it plunged Southend into deep trouble towards the foot of the table.

The Shrimpers are now 20th in the standings and only goal difference is keeping them above the relegation zone.

Subsequently, given the recent results and performances, Blues must be favourites for the drop.

And it was a familiar face that proved to be their undoing at the weekend.

Joe Pigott will forever be remembered with fondness at Roots Hall, due to his memorable part in the 2015 League Two play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.

Pigott’s late goal helped the Shrimpers secure their place in League One, but his winner for AFC Wimbledon on Saturday could ultimately play a huge part in them losing it.

The Dons began the day bottom of the table but have found momentum at just the right time and have now won three games in succession.

In contrast, Southend are continually finding ways to lose games and Saturday was perhaps the most calamitous so far as Pigott took advantage of a hideous mix-up between Michael Turner and Mark Oxley to fire home.

Oxley was given the nod ahead of Nathan Bishop after recovering from the back injury which had kept him sidelined since December.

And that lack of match sharpness could well have contributed to Wimbledon’s winner midway through the second half.

The decision to start Oxley was criticised by sections of the support and pressure is now seriously starting to mount on manager Chris Powell.

The Shrimpers boss has guided his side to just two wins during 2019 and has not won at home since beating Gillingham on New Year’s Day.

However, it is quite simply horrible to see Powell struggling so badly in the home dugout right now.

Very few managers in the history of the club will have started their reign at Roots Hall with so much goodwill from the fans.

Powell is rightly regarded as one of the club’s best ever players and always conducts himself in an exemplary manner.

Chairman Ron Martin is known for showing managers loyalty and was quick to issue his backing for the boss yesterday.

But Blues now have just eight games to stop the rot, turn things around and secure their League One status.

However, at the moment it is not looking good.

Somehow or other, the Shrimpers have to start picking up points and adopting a more positive approach may prove key.

Powell remains short of attacking options with Tom Hopper and Stephen Humphrys both sidelined and the club are now firmly paying the price for not signing another striker during the January transfer window.

But Blues need to decide on a settled formation rather than constantly swapping systems.

And they must also be on the front foot.

Right now, the Shrimpers look a side playing not to lose rather than win and that mentality must change if relegation is to be avoided.

However, this is not just about the manager and the players must now also step up to the plate. Things are still tight towards the bottom and that gives Blues some hope.

But Southend are starting to run out of time if they are to avoid leaving League One not in the way they had hoped for at the start of the season.