IN the politest possible way I think in some ways we’re probably glad to be back in action away from home this weekend when we go to Hereford United.

Our results have been better on the road than they have been at Roots Hall, but it doesn’t matter where your wins come from.

If you want to earn promotion then you’re going to have to get 24 or 25 victories and I don’t think anyone minds if they come at home or away, just as long as you do get there in the end.

That’s certainly how we’re feeling at the moment and we want to get all three points this weekend at Edgar Street.

We go there sitting fourth in the table after Torquay won at Rotherham on Tuesday night, but I think the table is constantly going to be changing between now and the end of the season.

We could find ourselves second or sixth at some stage during the run in because it’s so close and we need to ideally get on a good run of form.

Saturday’s game is the start of a vitally important period as we play three times in the space of seven days.

Hereford will be difficult because they’re fighting for their lives and Aldershot, who we play on Tuesday, have been on a great run. I personally think we owe them one after what’s already happened this season.

There can be no denying we would’ve won the game at their ground on Boxing Day if the floodlights had not failed and we were then comprehensively beaten when we finally got to go there again.

We, therefore, have a point to prove and it’s important we take something from the game.

After that we complete a busy week by going to Bristol Rovers, but we go in to those trio of matches on the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw with Accrington Stanley.

We were all gutted to let in the last minute equaliser and by the manner in which it came, but we have to try to remain positive.

We showed great character to go back in front after going behind and we also played some terrific football at times.

We have to now use the disappointment to push us on again and we welcome this kind of pressure.

I joined Southend to be in these kind of situations and if you don’t enjoy playing games when you’re going for promotion then you’re in the wrong job.

Some players will rise to the occasion and others won’t. But it was great to see Elliot Benyon and Luke Prosser get on the score-sheet against Accrington.

They’re two popular members of the dressing room and I was delighted for Elliot, who we all call Arg, to get his first goal for the club.

As a striker I know how important it is to get your first goal and hopefully Arg can go on and get a few more for us now.

It was also fantastic to see Harry Crawford back in action for the reserves this week after he recovered from his long term knee injury.

Harry is a great lad and a fantastic professional so it’s superb to see him back with us again and not stuck in the treatment room.

Away from the football, Chris Barker’s new car has caused some amusement for the lads this week and I can exclusively reveal it’s part of his new business plan.

Now the weather is improving and we’re getting closer to the summer months, Barks has decided to purchase an ice-cream van which he will be using down the sea-front.

As well as that he will also be able to use the vehicle as a mini bus to drive people around and I hope it all works out well for him!