SOUTHEND United manager Sol Campbell remains convinced the Shrimpers can turn around their season – despite suffering a 4-1 defeat at Portsmouth tonight.

Blues remain second from bottom in the League One standings with just one win in 17 games.

But Campbell was keen to try and remain upbeat.

“It will come together but the clock is ticking and we have to start picking up points,” said Campbell.

“We have to keep going.

“It’s a 4-1 but it doesn’t feel like a 4-1 because we basically gave them three goals.

“We will get there and we certainly won’t come across Ipswich, Sunderland and Portsmouth again in the space of 10 days.

“It’s hard and we’ve had a tough three games – Ipswich, Sunderland and Portsmouth.

“They have Premier League pedigree and their budgets are probably quadruple ours.

“We aren’t expected to win these games and it’s the other games we have to pick up points from.”

Blues held Portsmouth at bay until just before the break.

And Campbell was encouraged by most of the first half performance.

“We kept them bay and did really in the first half until the last 30 seconds when we haven’t gone with the runner from a simple ball in,” said the 45-year-old.

“We’ve given the goals away.

“It’s down to basic errors we have to iron out and it’s not as though they’ve carved us open.”

But Campbell also felt Blues should have been awarded a penalty.

“We should have had a penalty at Sunderland and we should have a penalty tonight too,” said Campbell.

“His arm was outstretched on the floor, it’s a pen but you don’t get the rub of the green when you’re down towards the bottom.”