Chris Powell: Southend need a spark from somewhere

Posted Sunday, March 24, 2019 by PA

A downbeat Chris Powell feels everything is going against his struggling Southend side after a lacklustre 2-0 defeat at Peterborough.

Goals either side of half-time from Marcus Maddison and Ben White ended a run of three straight defeats to send Posh into sixth.

The result leaves Southend, who did not muster a shot on target, outside of the relegation zone on goal difference after an 11th match without a win.

The visitors have suffered a number of injuries and saw top scorer Simon Cox limp off in the second half.

Powell said: “It’s disappointing. The problem we had was we didn’t take care of the ball well enough in the first half. Our quality from back to front wasn’t good enough.

“We kept the ball better for periods of the second half but we need an end product and that was sorely missing.

“When you’re low in confidence you’re looking for a spark from somewhere. We’re bringing on young players who want to have an opportunity, but when the confidence is low it’s very hard.

“It’s very, very hard for us all at this present time, but it’s not for lack of trying. We are really struggling. We keep changing and trying to find a way, then you lose players.

“When things go against you they go against you. It’s just one thing after another, which is really tough to take.”

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson said: “I’m delighted for the players because they’ve taken a lot of criticism and quite rightly, so it’s important to enjoy today.

“We were very dominant in the first half and should have been more than one-nil up. I thought we saw it out quite comfortably – it was a good team performance.

“I thought Lee Tomlin was very good – he looked back to where he could be. Siriki Dembele coming back from injury was important. He is a player I really like. He is one of those that gets you off your seat.

“We are back in the top six somehow. It’s important we maintain the standard we got today. Losing three games on the bounce shouldn’t happen, but it has happened, so today was a good result.

“Marcus needs that consistency, but when he does things like he does today, there are not many people in the league who can do that.”