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Southend United haven't looked in any real trouble this season, despite the proximity of so many teams in League One.

They've almost always sat at the head of the bottom half, never far enough away from the relegation spots to be classed as safe, but always with enough teams between them to alleviate serious worry.

Just two wins currently separate the team in 12th and the team in 21st, the sort of gap that has got half of the division worrying.

With games running out, the seemingly safe and secure Shrimpers will now be desperately looking over their shoulder.

The relegation battle in the division promises to be nail-biting, with more twists and turns than a Grand Prix circuit over the next nine matches.

Slowly but surely, teams like Plymouth will find they're clear of trouble and breathe a sigh of relief.

Here's three reasons why Southend United can't be so secure.

[snack_break title="Without a win in nine"]

That's relegation form right there.

When they beat Bradford on January 26th it took them to within nine points of the play-off spots and at the time, eight clear of relegation.

They're now only two points outside the bottom four.

[snack_break title="Low Confidence"]

With that run comes a lack of confidence, a certain fear about their play that is costing them dearly.

They led until the last minute against Blackpool at the weekend, but an own goal cost them two points.

They led early on at relegation rivals Scunthorpe last night, but capitulated and conceded four. They look a beaten side before matches kick off right now.

[snack_break title="Tough run in"]

Peterborough, Wycombe, Sunderland, Burton and Fleetwood. They're five sides who will feel, with some justification, that they're either not in the relegation battle or that they should be beating Southend.

That leaves just four matches against sides also in the mire. Not a good finish to the season at all.

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