Francis joined Southend from Sheffield United in 2006

Southend defender Simon Francis has said the players are now playing for pride, with relegation to League Two looking increasingly likely.

The Blues are seven points from safety with just three games to play.

Francis, 25, told BBC Essex: "Although it's mathematically possible to stay up, it doesn't look likely now.

"We've just got to play for ourselves in the next three games, play for pride and show the fans that we still do care," he added.

The full-back believes failure to convert chances was key to the side's downfall this season and the sale of leading scorer Lee Barnard to Southampton did not help.

"Losing Lee in January was a massive blow because we've had to shuffle the team. We haven't scored enough goals and it's cost us," he said.

He added that the players need to be mentally tough in the last three games of the season.

"It's going to be hard. We can't just lie down, otherwise it could get embarrassing," he said. A lot of the lads are out of contract in the summer, so they'll be looking to play well."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version