SOUTHEND United defender John White is determined to help the Shrimpers stop being a soft touch.

The fit-again centre-back helped Blues bag their first win of the season on Saturday as Mark Molesley’s side ground out a 1-0 triumph at Walsall.

And White wants the gritty performance to be the sign of things to come.

“Until recently I think teams would come and think they can stomp all over us,” said White.

“Even at our place they think they’re going to roll us over.

“But I’d like to think we’re on course to stop that mentality and show we have got it in us to be that horrible side that is hard to play against and hard to beat.”

The Shrimpers secured their first clean sheet since January to see off the Saddlers.

But White now wants that level of performance to be repeated on a consistent basis.

“It’s just a case of not doing it just once,” said the 34-year-old.

“We have to do it week after week and be hard to beat.

“We have to make sure teams have to play really, really well to get anything from the game.”

And White is also keen to help make that happen after finally recovering from a frustrating spell on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.

“I got the injury the day before the first League game,” said White.

“Nothing really happened but I managed to tweak my hamstring.

“Just as I was close to being back to training I managed to do it again and then about a week before I was due back this time I jarred my back.

“But I managed to get back in now and it was nice to get some game time and help the boys.”

White missed close to two months with the injury before returning to play 45 minutes of Blues’ defeat at Colchester United in the EFL Trophy.

The defender followed that up by playing 65 minutes of Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Walsall as the Shrimpers ended a run of 16 matches without a win.

And White was pleased to see Molesley secure his first in in charge.

“Everyone was so pleased we could get those points and we were pleased for the gaffer too,” said White.

“We know how much time, effort, endeavour and energy him and his team put in so it’s nice to be able to start something with them.”

Blues will now be looking to build on the victory when they host second placed Cambridge United in a tough looking test this weekend.

But White wants the bottom of the table Shrimpers to deep dig.

“There’s no easy games in this league,” said White “We know every game is going to be a tough game but we want to build on Saturday’s win and do all we can to get more points.”