The final say: Southend United see run ended at Gateshead

So it was perhaps somewhat quite ironic it was where Southend United’s impressive recent run came to an end.

Having gone 11 league games without defeat, Blues were beaten 3-1 by Gateshead.

And, although the hosts ultimately deserved their three points, it was a game decided on fine margins.

The Shrimpers were clearly not at their best but goals change games as they say and Kevin Maher’s side certainly had enough opportunities to open the scoring.

Wes Fonguck struck the crossbar following a mistake from Gateshead goalkeeper James Montgomery, an unmarked Gus Scott-Morriss headed over from close range while Callum Powell also wasted an excellent opportunity when the game was still goalless.

The hosts had no such issues in front of goal and clinically finished the chances coming their way to move off the foot of the National League table.

Gateshead had clearly done their homework too and were able to pose problems for the Shrimpers by packing men behind the ball and then looking to break quickly.

The home-side had also clearly identified Jack Bridge as a big threat and did whatever they could to deny him space and possession in dangerous areas, even if they had to resort to bringing him down.

Adding to that, Gateshead were able to play their way round Southend’s press and looked a far stronger side than their lowly league placing suggests.

But while the result was disappointing and hard to take, it was also revealing just how much it hurt.

I myself was initially quite downtrodden after the final whistle but, in a bizarre way, that also showed the progress which has been made since Kevin Maher’s appointment last October.

Prior to that, defeats were just what happened and had become par for the course.

On a midweek deadline, where time is tight, I would even fill in the headline before kick off to save a few precious seconds.

Nowadays, there is a much different feeling and one defeat in 12 league games means there is no need for any kind of over-reaction.

Yes, Blues need to learn from the defeat and there was a worrying spell at 2-0 down when the visitors appeared to be quite rattled and open.

That has been incredibly rare this season and the afternoon as a whole should be viewed as something of a reality check and used for extra motivation moving forward.

All avenues will be explored and analysed by Maher and his staff and it might be time to freshen things up in the final third.

Injuries and embargoes mean Blues are slightly short of attacking options but Harry Cardwell has looked strong coming off the bench and can hopefully start to feature more regularly as he continues his comeback from an ankle injury which kept him out for six months.

Cardwell adds real power and aggression to the attack which he showed in abundance when creating Dan Mooney’s consolation strike on Saturday.

Mooney is also working his way back from injury and could also have played his way back into the starting line-up for Saturday’s trip to Aldershot.

But where is the best place for him to play?

Mooney is clearly a good player and has the quick feet to continually hurt opposing sides at this level.

However, he was not at his best before being forced onto the sidelines.

Mooney featured more out wide in the opening weeks of the season before a change of shape saw him feature in a more central position.

But playing there he went seven games without a goal or an assist which is below what someone of his capabilities should be producing.

In fairness, the injury may have affected his form but Blues must now find a way to bring out the best from what is clearly a big talent.

Against Gateshead he featured further forward, just behind Cardwell and could maybe be given more of a go in that attacking role.

Mooney’s late goal on Saturday was immaterial in terms of a match which, for me, will always be best remembered by the staggering level of support shown by the Shrimpers.

Having left home myself at 6am, I can fully empathise with just how far away the stadium was.

But to see 712 Southend fans in attendance was absolutely incredible and made me proud to be a Blues supporter myself.

However, at the same time it also made me sad because they do deserve so much better.

That is off the pitch of course where serious financial issues remain.

I have never been more worried about the future of the Shrimpers and big changes are needed if the potential of the club is to ever be reached.

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>Blues fans have their say on away defeat