UNDERFIRE Southend United manager Chris Powell knows he must lead from the front at Peterborough United tomorrow.

The Shrimpers head into Saturday’s clash having taken just four points from the last 30.

But Powell is determined to make sure the wretched run ends this weekend.

“I have to lead from the front, put my shoulders back and take everything on the chin but that’s fine,” said the 49-year-old.

“I want this club to be better and push on.

“We have to find a way to do that in these eight games and we want that to start at Peterborough on Saturday.”

Blues are currently 20th in the League One standings and sit just above the bottom four on goal difference.

And Powell expects the fight against relegation to go right until the final day of the season.

“It won’t be done and dusted in a game or two, this is going right down to the wire for everyone,” said Powell.

“Just looking at the table can give you negative thoughts and I understand that.

“But everyone is going to have to keep as calm as we can as we try and turn it around to get points.

“This is when you support each other.

“The players need help for confidence and you have to back them.

“There will always be frustration because everyone wants their team to do well.

“But we have to show spirit and fight to get ourselves out of this position.”

In contrast to the Shrimpers, Peterborough are eighth in the standings.

But, despite their lofty League placing, Posh are also out of form and have suffered three successive defeats.

However, Powell is fully aware of how dangerous the hosts can be.

“Things haven’t gone Peterborough’s way in their last three games but they do have talent and real match-winners,” said Powell.

“We’re going to have to stand up to that and find our own match-winners.”