Powell feeling pressure after Southend lose at Scunthorpe

Posted Wednesday, March 13, 2019 by PA

Southend boss Chris Powell admitted he is feeling the pressure after his side slipped closer to the relegation zone with a second-half capitulation at Scunthorpe.

The Shrimpers had taken a third-minute lead at Glanford Park, but three goals in 10 second-half minutes – on the back of an equaliser midway through the first period – condemned them to a ninth game without a victory.

It leaves the Essex club, now only two points above the bottom four, facing a huge game against bottom side AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

“I’m feeling the pressure, of course. As a manager you’re always under pressure,” Powell said.

“You have to perform and tonight we haven’t done that. As the manager, I always accept I’m the one that people will look at whether we win, lose or draw.

“We dominated the first half, even though was it 1-1, but confidence is low and once the second goal goes in you could see it drain from the players.

“I’ve said to the players that Saturday is the biggest game we’ve had in a long time because we have to pull a result out from somewhere.

“We’ve got enough to stay out of the bottom four, but we’ve got to produce it. It’s about showing pride and heart.”

Top scorer Simon Cox gave the Shrimpers their third-minute lead at Glanford Park, rolling in his 16th goal of the season after chesting down Sam Hart’s cross.

There was an element of luck about Scunthorpe’s 23rd-minute leveller – a cross from full-back Tom Pearce that nestled into the far corner – but nothing fortunate about the way they took command after the break.

Tony McMahon flicked in from a corner in the 68th minute, before George Thomas made the most of a slip by keeper Nathan Bishop to make it 3-1 and James Perch rounded things off with a header 12 minutes from time.

The victory eased the Iron’s relegation fears, moving them above Southend and four points clear of the drop zone.

“I’m delighted with the three points,” said Scunthorpe manager Stuart McCall.

“We talked about making a bright start and getting on top of the game, so I wasn’t best pleased when we conceded after three minutes.

“We had some really good chances before we got a little bit of fortune with the equaliser, but I don’t think that was anything less than we deserved.

“We said coming out for the second half we had to keep believing in each other and we had courage and character to get on the ball and make things happen.

“We’ve got some good players here, but I said to them before the game that tonight was about who wanted it most and we had desire all the way through.

“It was a valuable three points, but I think the all-round performance on a difficult night meant it was deserved.”