SOUTHEND United chairman Ron Martin feels the Shrimpers have ‘no right to stay up.’

The Shrimpers were second from bottom in the League One standings, 16 points from safety, when the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And, despite the EFL yet to decide how the campaign will be concluded, Martin has conceded Blues deserve to go down.

“From a personal point of view, we’ve got no right to stay up and we’ve had a dreadful couple of years,” Martin told TalkSport 2.

“We stayed up by the skin of our teeth last year and I couldn’t make an argument for Southend United to remain in League One, although we would absolutely wish to.”

League One clubs will meet again on Tuesday and Martin expects the season to be decided on a points per game basis.

“I would expect we will be finishing the season with play-offs, the clubs in the relegation zone will go down and there will be a points per game system,” said Martin.

“The majority want that to curtail the season and look forward to next season.”

Tranmere Rovers and Bolton Wanderers will be relegated alongside the Shrimpers.

And Martin feels some sympathy for Tranmere who sit just three points behind AFC Wimbledon with a game in hand.

“Out of all the clubs in the league, Tranmere could end up getting the short straw because of where they sit,” said Martin.

“I can understand why they feel there should be another system that makes it fair,” said Martin.

“The only way to make it fair would be to finish the season but we haven’t really done anything for three months now and the players won’t be fit.

“It’s no longer the competition we started last August either.

“That led me to saying to Rick (Parry) that it should be voided but that’s unfair on the likes of Leeds United.

“You’re never going to get a balanced decision.”