Victory or bust for Shrimpers

LATICS ROUND UP: SOUTHEND, Athletic’s opponents on Saturday, reckon they are a club on the up despite having their work cut out to avoid the dreaded drop into League Two.

The Shrimpers have been troubled by off-field financial issues which have threatened their very existence.

But chairman Ron Martin says the future is brighter after Southend this week avoided being wound up by settling a tax bill of almost £400,000.

“When people look back on this in the future they will say it is just a blip,” he said.

However, Southend are 23rd in League One, seven points adrift of safety.

They have lost 16 games away from home this season – more than any other club, including already-relegated Stockport – and have yet to win on the road in 2010.

Manager Steve Tilson, who was this week given a vote of confidence by his chairman, has seen his side manage to pick up only two points in their last six matches.

Southend can, in theory, still save their skin at the expense of Leyton Orient, Gillingham, Exeter, Tranmere or Wycombe, but on current form, that is a massive ask.

And a win at Boundary Park is a must if realistic hopes of League One football next season are to be maintained.

With 17-goal top scorer Lee Barnard leaving the club to join Southampton in late January, Southend were able to operate until recently with an all ex-Athletic forward line of Scott Vernon – on loan from Colchester United – and Scott Spencer, who left Boundary Park in a big-money move to Everton as a teenager.

Spencer, though, won’t play at Boundary Park as he is out for the season with damaged ankle ligaments.

One former Athletic player who is set to play is Anthony Grant.

The midfielder starred at Boundary Park while on loan from Chelsea in the 2006-07 season.