SOUTHEND United manager Sol Campbell feels the Shrimpers have a mountain to climb if they are to stay in League One.

Second from bottom Southend sit 11 points from safety after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Oxford United at Roots Hall this afternoon.

And Campbell knows Blues are facing a huge fight to avoid relegation.

“It’s going to be bloody hard to stay up but mathematically we’re still there but performance wise we aren’t,” said Campbell.

“There’s a mountain to climb but I’m willing to climb it and hopefully the players are around me too.”

However, Southend have still triumphed just once so far in League One this season.

And Campbell was frustrated by the latest setback and the manner of the goals given away.

“We’re obviously disappointed but I’m more disappointed we’ve given it away when we’re not under pressure,” said the former England defender.

“We’ve got to start cutting the mistakes out.

“We have to look at ourselves and eradicate this because we’ve given them two or three goals today.”

Blues gave away the first two goals after looking to try out from the back.

But Campbell feels a variety of play is needed to succeed.

“We have to play football and it has to be a mixture,” said Campbell.

“Sometimes you go long and sometimes you go short but those scenarios today are because we’ve given it to them.

“It’s not about changing our play but we have to be calmer under pressure.

“It’s not nice to see but we have to keep on working to try and turn it around.

“We’ve got to get solid because everything has been very loose here.”

But Campbell knows it will take time to things to change.

“I’ve got to turn it around not just football wise but in other areas too,” said the 45-year-old.

“I have to make these guys believe they can win games and we have to keep on playing and go for it.

“But because it’s been like this for so long you can’t just switch it back on and it takes time which I know we don’t have.”

And Campbell also hinted there was plenty which needed to be sorted.

“There wasn’t a good pre-season here, everyone’s not there then you start the season and there’s a change of management,” said Campbell.

“It’s work in progress and it’s not easy.

“Couple in the players who aren’t playing for a few reasons, I’m not saying it’s a mess but it’s not straightforward.”