The final say: Two ways to take Southend United's latest defeat

But in truth the Shrimpers have been a horror to watch for quite some time now.

After back to back relegations, Blues are now in deep trouble in the National League drop zone.

But there were two ways to look at the 1-0 defeat at Meadow Park.

Due to the depth of the recent struggles, expectations are at all an all-time low.

And, with Kevin Maher in charge for just the second time, it is understandably going to take quite some time for the Shrimpers to start moving in the right direction.

However, against table-topping Boreham, Blues more than held their own for large spells and were clearly boosted by the additions of both Kacper Lopata and Zak Brunt on loan from Sheffield United.

While not wanting to get carried away by just one performance, Lopata looked a commanding figure at the heart of the defence while Brunt showed real willingness in the centre of the park.

Their displays bode well for the future as the Shrimpers attempt to avoid a third successive relegation. But obvious concerns remain.

Most of all, Blues were still beaten at the weekend despite the improved performance and there remains a real lack of creativity.

Maher and his coaching team will be well aware of the issue but the Shrimpers have now netted just one goal in their last six outings and must somehow find a way of hitting the back of the net on a more regular basis.

Maher is just two games into his Roots Hall reign and appears to be building from the back in a bid to make the Shrimpers tougher to beat.

That approach is perfectly understandable and also quite common but Blues must soon start to pose problems of their own if they are to pick up the points needed to secure survival.

A lack of goals normally leads to fingers being pointed towards the strikers and, in truth, I felt both Rhys Murphy and Sam Dalby were not at their best at the weekend.

But those leading the line for the Shrimpers must be given the service to score and that has arguably been the biggest problem in recent times.

Blues may well need to delve back into the transfer market to solve their creative conundrum and there was certainly a lack of striking options on the bench on the Saturday.

But Maher’s options were also hindered by the needless dismissal of Abu Ogogo midway through the second half.

Now, before getting on to the midfielder’s red card, it should be explained referee Aaron Jackson produced one of the worst performances from the man in the middle I have seen in quite some time.

It is often too easy to criticise the officials and I am reluctant to do so given the difficult job they face.

But it is important to be honest and Jackson was quite simply horrendous, making a series of bizarre and often incorrect decisions.

He showed Ogogo his first yellow card after the midfielder was reluctant to retreat 10 yards from a Boreham Wood corner and Jackson then immediately brandished a second yellow card for something Ogogo said in his direction.

Yes, Jackson was quick to issue the red card and could probably have taken more time before calmly assessing the situation.

But there was also absolutely no need for Ogogo to cause the issue in the first place.

Someone of his experience should have known better and immediately moved back when asked to do so.

However, his ill-discipline cost Blues dear as Boreham Wood went on to secure all three points with Tyrone Marsh scoring the only goal of the game just seven minutes from time.

Maher’s frustrations then also boiled over as he was ordered from the dug out in what proved to be the Shrimpers’ sixth defeat in seven league games.

All attention will now be on Tuesday night’s crucial clash with rock-bottom Dover Athletic who have yet to win this season. A much needed victory would raise spirits and lift Blues out of the relegation zone.

But defeat would see a club in crisis deep in danger as they fight to avoid National League South and potentially Blues’ biggest horror of them all.