SOUTHEND United left-back Nathan Ralph is keen to get one over Peterborough tonight - despite the part they played in his career.

Ralph was a youth team player with Posh in his younger days.

But he is desperate to beat them at Roots Hall this evening.

“I owe Peterborough a lot but this is a massive game for both teams really and we need the win,” said Ralph, who has impressed for Blues since signing in the summer.

“Neither team have had the start to the season they would want and although it’s early days you want to get points on the board.

“It’s certainly been frustrating for us so far.”

The Shrimpers have been beaten in their opening three League games for the first time since 1992.

However, Ralph is still confident Southend can enjoy a good season.

“We have good players and I think it’s just a matter of when not if things are going to click for us,” said the defender.

“Once things click I don’t think we will look back.”

But Blues have found it tough going so far and were seen off 4-0 at Lincoln City on Saturday.

And Ralph is keen to help the Shrimpers tighten up at the back.

“Saturday was frustrating to say the least and we’re all aware we need to stop conceding so many goals,” said Ralph.

“The way the goals came about at Lincoln was frustrating as well with them scoring from set pieces.

“We knew it was a strength for Lincoln and they make it difficult to defend but it was still frustrating from our point of view.

“We must do better tonight.”

Peterborough have also made a slow start to the season after taking just one point from their first three games.

But if it was not for Posh’s youth team coaches Ralph could well have been lining up somewhere differently.

“It was there that I first played left-back,” said Ralph.

“I had been more attacking before that and had actually been a striker but they put me at left-back and it went well.

“I learnt a lot while I was at Peterborough and I really enjoyed it there.”

And Ralph holds no hard feelings about being released from London Road without making a first team appearance.

“Looking back I was probably too immature back then and, being honest, I would say it was the right call,” said the 26-year-old.

“I’ve grown up since then and I certainly don’t have any hard feelings against them or anything like that.

“I want to beat them tonight but it would be the same whoever we were playing.”