SIMON Cox insists he is ‘loving every second’ at Billericay Town.

The former Southend United striker was appointed first team coach at New Lodge last month.

And Cox is already relishing his new role.

“I’ve loved every second of it so far and it’s a great learning curve for me to be given this opportunity to coach,” said Cox.

“I’ve learnt so much already which is great in terms of preparing and making sure the players understand what we’re trying to do.

“But this season is about getting as many points as possible to survive.”

Billericay are currently bottom of the National League South standings, six points from safety.

But Cox has been encouraged by the majority of Town’s recent results.

“We had two defeats on the bounce,” said Cox.

“We had one really poor performance and a decent first half followed by a sloppy second against Hemel but other than that I think we’ve lost something like two games in 14.

“We’re doing alright but we just need a bit of consistency and wins rather than draws.

“Draws at this stage of the season don’t really do anything for us.”

Billericay will certainly be aiming for all three points when they head to 18th placed Tonbridge Angels this weekend.

And Cox believes the match signals the start of a crucial period for Town.

“We’ve got a really big couple of weeks coming up,” said Cox.

“We play Saturday, Tuesday against teams in around us.

“It becomes must win or worst way must not lose so we don’t lose too much ground on the teams we’re chasing.”

But Cox is not the only ex Shrimper currently fighting to help beat Billericay beat the drop.

And it was a message to his former Southend team-mate Josh Wright which ultimately led to Cox joining Billericay.

“I saw Josh had signed so I reached out to him to wish him well,” said Cox.

“I also said if he ever needed someone to bounce any ideas off then let me know.

“He said ‘I think we’re looking for a coach’ , to let him settle in a bit and then he would talk to the manager.

“I got a call asking me to come down and meet the manager (Jody Brown) and it went from there really.”

And Cox has already formed a close working partnership with Brown.

“I talk to the manager every day now,” said Cox.

“We talk about what sessions we want to do and what we want to get into the players.

“I also work with the strikers as well, trying to get them firing and scoring goals.”

But Cox - who announced his retirement from playing in October - also showed the forwards how it was done by coming off the bench to score in Billericay’s friendly at Heybridge Swifts on Tuesday night.

“I decided if a needs must situation came about I would stick the boots back on,” said Cox, who netted more than 140 career goals.

“I’m here to coach not play but if I’m needed to play then I will do.”