SOUTHEND United boss Chris Powell is backing his side to bounce back against Doncaster Rovers tomorrow.

The Shrimpers suffered a shock 3-0 defeat against Walsall at Roots Hall last weekend.

But Powell is confident Blues will react strongly to his first defeat in charge following a positive few days in training.

“It’s been a good week,” said Powell.

“There’s always one or two long faces on a Monday after a defeat but it’s my job to pick everyone up.

“I’ve been around the block so I know there will be times you lose games and times when you will be disappointed.

“But that’s gone now and our focus has totally been on Doncaster.”

And, with that in mind, Powell will not be dwelling on the defeat to Walsall.

“There’s no need for us to sit down and watch the recording of the Walsall game for 90 minutes or anything like that,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“I trust them and I know what they can do.

“They don’t mean to lose games and they don’t mean to concede goals.

“Sometimes you hold your hands up and say the other team were better than us on the day.

“It’s my job to lead from the front.

“My staff are good at that and the only way the group can respond is in training and then ultimately on a matchday.”

But Powell also wants his team to be relaxed going into the game.

“They shouldn’t feel under pressure,” said the Blues boss.

“If we go behind then we’ll just carry on.

“We fought back against Scunthorpe and that shows me we’re fine.

“We couldn’t do it at the weekend but I’m looking forward to them doing it again in the future.”

The 14th placed Shrimpers head into tomorrow’s game just one place and two points above Doncaster.

And Powell is expecting a tough test against Darren Ferguson’s side.

“We know it is going to be a difficult game and no matter who you’re playing you have to be ready,” said Powell.

“But we will be because the players have been great for me.

“It’s been four wins, one draw and one defeat in my first six games and I would certainly have taken that before the first game.”