MARK Oxley is confident Southend United can start to shut out the opposition – despite their recent defensive woes.

The Shrimpers – who host Blackpool at Roots Hall tomorrow – have not kept a clean sheet since January and Oxley has yet to keep one in 2019.

But the shot-stopper is certain Blues have the players to keep their rivals quiet.

“We’re doing everything right in training to stop goals but to also score them and we just need to be patient,” said Oxley.

“It’s a new way of playing and the manager wants us to play more but I’m sure everything will come together and we’ll be fine at both ends.”

Shrimpers boss Kevin Bond has yet to see his side keep a clean sheet during a run of matches which, including pre-season friendlies, now runs to 14 games.

Blues have also gone 18 League matches since securing their last shut-out which came at Bradford City in January.

However, Oxley is keen for that to change.

“Last year we would have taken no clean sheets and a win to try and stay up,” said 28-year-old.

“Going forward, our results are based on clean sheets and we have to start getting them but at the other end we have to start taking chances because it’s no good keeping clean sheets if we’re not going to score.

“But hopefully we will all be firing on all cylinders.”

And Oxley wants that to be the case against Blackpool tomorrow as Blues bid to bounce back from their opening day defeat to Coventry City.

“It’s about a reaction now,” said Oxley.

“We’ve prepared well and the manager wants us to play more than we probably have in the past.

“Everyone has bought into that and we have really good football players here.

“If we keep doing it we will only get better.”