Steve Tilson is under no illusions that facing a managerless Port Vale side on Saturday will be a trip more daunting than previously imagined.

Yet Southend will travel north in good spirits despite a midweek Carling Cup exit at the hands of Blackpool, having won their last three League One fixtures, and the Blues chief is hoping that such consistency continues against the Valiants.

Tilson believes it is far too early into the season to make any real judgments on how a season will pan out and recollected Southend's own turnaround of results, which helped to advance them up to fifth in the table.

"It has gone well for us in the league recently with three wins out of three," Steve told Blues World.

"I'm now looking forward to Port Vale on Saturday, but we know it won't be easy.

"Their manager has just gone, so the players will try a little bit harder to get in the side with someone else watching the game.

"As long as we continue to do what we have been doing in recent weeks though, we can't do anymore than that.

"We have only played seven games in the league this season and for club's to be getting rid of their manager's after such a time is quite early.

"At present, the league table is not a true reflection and two or three wins could help them pick themselves up, as well as any side.

"We have won our last three games in the league and have gone from being down the bottom of the table to the top end.

"I don't think until you get to at least 10 to 12 games into the season that you can start to get a good indication of where you are going to be by the end.

"We have had a few long journeys this season and have had two cup games that have gone into extra time, so it does take a lot out of the players, but hopefully we should be fine for Saturday.

"Port Vale got a few players in during the summer. They signed David McGoldrick on loan from Southampton, who's a good player, and Marc Richards from Barnsley; they aren't a bad side."