SOUTHEND United new boy Nathan Ralph is confident the Shrimpers can spring a surprise in League One this season.

Blues are among the favourites for relegation this term and only avoided going down after beating Sunderland in dramatic fashion on the final day of last season.

But Ralph - who signed earlier this summer - is certain Southend will be higher up the standings this term.

“You don’t want to look too far ahead or get carried away but when I look around the squad we have here I think we will win more games than we lose,” said Ralph.

“I think we can be higher up the table but I’m just thinking about Saturday’s game now and I cannot wait to get started.”

Blues travel to face Coventry City for their opening clash of the season this weekend.

But it will not be the first time Ralph makes his debut against the Sky Blues after facing them in his first ever Football League appearance when with Yeovil Town back in 2012.

“It’s gone full circle really but it will be good to play against Coventry,” said Ralph.

“My first ever League game was against them but I’m not sure what to expect against them this time.

“It’s often like that at the start of the season but we can only focus on ourselves.

“Pre-season has gone well and we want to take that into the League now.”

The Shrimpers saw off Millwall 2-1 last week in their most impressive warm-up fixture.

And Ralph thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, despite scoring a freak own goal as Harry Lennon’s attempted clearance struck him before looping into the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.

“I think it was my first ever own goal so it wasn’t the best of starts for me at Roots Hall but there wasn’t much I could really have done about it,” said Ralph.

“I actually enjoyed the game and playing in front of the fans for the first time.

“I would like to think I showed a bit of what I can do but there’s more to come from all of us.”

Ralph has shown a willingness to attack during pre-season.

But he regularly featured further forward at the start of his career.

“I was originally a striker but I couldn’t really score to save my life,” said Ralph.

“I then went to left midfield where I can still play but I didn’t really go to left-back until I was in the youth team at Peterborough.

“I’ve enjoyed it there ever since and it’s gone well too.”