SOUTHEND United skipper John White knows the Shrimpers must get their balance of play right if they are to beat the drop this season.

The bottom of the table Blues, who have were beaten 1-0 by Mansfield Town on Saturday, have become far harder to break down in recent weeks.

But White now wants the Shrimpers to pose more of a threat going forward.

“It’s about trying to get that balance and not going too far one way or the other,” said White.

“We’ve been tougher to beat and play against which has been really pleasing but we can’t take away from the attacking side of things and maybe trying to play that little bit more.

“I think we’ve possibly gone too far in going slightly long a bit too often when maybe the opportunity has been there to be able to play a little bit more and create things to build our way into getting that opportunity up into the final third.”

Blues have now scored just 15 goals in their 24 League games so far this season and their latest blank came during a frustrating defeat to Mansfield.

“We need to be coming out of these games not losing at the very least,” said White.

“Both sides had the odd opportunity but it was nothing major and we could’ve got a goal back with Sim’s (Akinola) chance at the end.”

The Shrimpers, who remain a point from safety, have now suffered back to back home defeats and White is keen to see an immediate improvement when Bradford City visit Roots Hall on Tuesday night.

“It’s frustrating we haven’t got anything from the game but the good thing is we have another opportunity very quickly now to get a reaction and put things right,” said White.

“But we know what every game is going to be like at the moment, especially with the weather and the pitches.

“Every game has to be our cup final and mean more to us than it does to them.”

Bradford are 20th in the table but have not been beaten in their last six games.