SOUTHEND United will again be bidding to ease their defensive woes when they head to Shrewsbury Town tonight.

Blues conceded another three goals in Saturday’s draw with Fleetwood Town, meaning their defence has now been breached 20 times in just seven League One outings so far this season.

And the Shrimpers’ caretaker chief Gary Waddock is fully aware of the issue.

“It’s difficult but all you can do is keep working hard on it in training and that’s what we’ve been doing,” said Waddock.

“Everyone wants to try and play like Man City right now but at the moment for us it’s just about getting results and the points on board.

“We have to be solid for that to happen and we have to be better without the ball but that’s the whole group, not just the defence.

“The positive thing on Saturday was that we scored three goals and we’ve shown we can be a threat so if we can sort things at the other end of the pitch that bodes well.”

Shrewsbury’s home games have been short of goals this season with just one being scored in three outings.

The Shrews, who are 15th in the table, drew 1-1 at AFC Wimbledon at the weekend and will be looking to build on that against Blues.

However, the Shrimpers also secured a share of the spoils on Saturday and Waddock feels the team will be heading into the clash on a real high.

“Directly after the game everyone was on a high and that’s been taken into training now too which is great,” said Waddock.

“We’re looking to build on things and we’re in a positive frame of mind.”