SOUTHEND United manager Mark Molesley has told his players to embrace the pressure ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Tranmere Rovers.

The bottom of the table Shrimpers head to Prenton Park having failed to win any of their opening 10 games this term.

But Molesley must confront the tough challenge in front of them.

“We know at the moment that there’s pressure building,”said Molesley.

“That’s not just from this season it’s the last couple as well.

“We can’t run away from it and we have to meet it head on.

“In football there is pressure and there are hardships.

“But if we learn how to come through it we will be a lot better for it.

“You can’t hide from anything in football though, it’s a pressure environment and game.”

Blues were beaten 3-0 at Salford City on Tuesday night and have now taken just two points from their opening seven League Two matches.

However, Tranmere have managed to win just one League game themselves this season and Molesley is keen to see Southend on the front foot.

“We have to go and impact them the best we can,” said the 39-year-old.

“But they have some very good experienced players and we will have to make sure we want it more.

“There’s no easy games and two long travels in a week will have its own challenges.

“But these are the challenges we have to rise to.”

And Molesley knows Blues cannot afford to dwell on their disappointing run of results.

“It’s a cruel game but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves,” said Molesley.

“We have to react in the most positive way and make the best of not such a great situation.

“We have to make the best of it.”

Blues will be without left-back Nathan Ralph this weekend after he was stretchered off with a knee injury at Salford City.

But Molesley has made sure his side have prepared in the best possible way.

“Nothing changes and we still analyse every game honestly and openly and we shared that with the players yesterday,” said Molesley.

“We look to keep trying to improve and get better.

“That’s all we can focus on and concentrate on and we train and prepare the best we can.”

And Molesley is still certain things can turn around.

“We can turn the tide by being alert in certain areas and it’s in our control to do that,” said the former Weymouth boss.

“There are plenty of games to be played but at the same time we know we need to make an impact as quickly as we can.

“We’re not far away and we still have more players to join us shortly with John White and Simeon Akinola stepping up their work.

“I think we are improving and we have to stay positive, upbeat and keep believing in ourselves.”