THE majority of Southend United supporters expect the Shrimpers to finish in the bottom half of the League One table this season, according to an Echosport poll.

The online poll attracted close to 1,500 votes and revealed that 63 per cent of supporters do not feel Kevin Bond’s side will be in the top 12.

Forty-nine per cent of fans expect Blues to finish between 13th and 18th in the standings with a further 14 per cent predicting the team will end up between 19th and 24th.

Twenty-five per cent of the Shrimpers faithful feel a position between seventh and 12th is on the cards while 12 per cent expect there to be a top six finish.

Blues finished 19th in the League One table last season and avoided relegation by goal difference after beating Sunderland on the final day of the campaign.

And Ryan Stubbs - who took part in the poll - is expecting another season of struggle.

“How can people be optimistic about the season, tell me what’s changed so drastically to think otherwise?,” said Stubbs.

“I don’t see a lot of difference to last season. Hope I’m wrong but on paper we have a smaller squad, some might even argue a weaker one at that. We already have injuries mounting up as well.

However, fellow supporter Harrison Lane was keen to remain more upbeat.

“Hard to call but don’t understand those being so negative even before the first game has been played,” said Lane.

“Give the team a chance.

“It’s a new season and they are starting afresh with no pressure.”