PAUL Clark feels Southend United’s 1-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon could act as a wake-up call for the Shrimpers.

Blues are now 20th in the League One table and sit just above the relegation zone on goal difference.

But Clark, a former Southend player and manager, feels the latest setback may spark the Shrimpers back into life.

“This could be a wake-up call for them because they can see it’s getting very serious,” said Clark, who made 342 appearances for Blues.

“Only a few weeks ago they were 13th and there were a few teams between them and the relegation zone but I kept on saying to look at the points tally not the position.

"Results have been poor but the chairman has backed Chris Powell now and he deserves all the support he can get."

And Clark, who summarises Blues' matches for BBC Essex, feels the players now need to step up to the playe. 

“You can blame tactics and formations but it’s down to the players to perform and they need to put their shoulders back and step up now," said Clark.

"You look at the team Chris selected on Saturday and that wasn't a bunch of muppets.

"They can definitely get out of this position but it's going to be hard because once things start to go wrong it's hard to stop."