Steve Tilson is adamant that everyone at Southend United is up for the challenge and remains positive that they can maintain their League One status.

The Blues have been desperately unlucky in recent games not to have got points on board, but Tilson knows they can only look ahead now, with a long trip to Hartlepool United on the horizon this Saturday.

Tilson also knows that Southend's future is in their own hands and is hoping the players can continue to produce the same spirit and desire with better reward when they face a Hartlepool side in direct competition with them at the bottom end of the table.

"If we had picked up points from our last three games it would have been a bonus, but looking back over those games, it was really disappointing not to get any points on board," Steve told southendunited.co.uk.

"I thought the lads attitude towards the games and their work rate and spirit was second to none, but we just fell short in all three games.

"We have to look forward now and we are playing six of the sides around us in the next six games and these are games which could determine our future for next season.

"I know Oldham have a couple of games in hand, but we are in a position where we can determine our future for next season and while that is the case, we have to be positive and get as many points as we can.

"Hartlepool is a long six or seven hour journey and it's always a tough place to go to.

"We played well at home against them earlier in the season to come from two goals down to win 3-2, but despite the fact it is certainly going to be a tough game, we have to look to go there and get a result."

He added: "We have a got a small squad, but the spirit is fantastic and I think you would have seen that in our last three games, even though we didn't get the results.

"We are running a little bit bare on the squad front. We have 14 pros and four loans, so that's 18 players and we have three out this weekend due to injury or suspension.

"It doesn't give us a large scope and we didn't know too much about Dougie leaving until Tuesday, as it happened a bit quickly.

"Granty's not ready (coming back from injury) and will train Saturday, Sunday and Monday and play for the reserves on Tuesday for probably an hour and we will then judge it from there.

"The boys are certainly up for the challenge, as are Brushy and I, and although we know it won't be easy, we are positive that we can end the season on a good note."