Last Saturday saw Southend United’s poor form continue with a 5-1 defeat to Port Vale who had only won once in their last eleven games, thus putting more pressure on Mark Molesley.

He and his side now face a battle to survive the drop and avoid dropping into the National League.

Throughout their history and unlike their local county rivals Colchester United who have had prior experience, though a short one, Southend have had a rich history in having played in the Fo0tball League and have always pulled through the darkest days with success coming in due time, however, this seems to be one battle too far it feels.

Like teams before including that of Luton Town, Yeovil Town, Leyton Orient and Tranmere Rovers in recent years, Southend are heading on a course that will see them join the list of sides to have been relegated from League One to the National League within two-three years of their first relegation occurring.

It surely has to be mentioned that should Southend face what some fans might’ve thought unthinkable less than five years ago, as Phil Brown steered the club to the promised land of League One once more following a penalty shootout victory over now-Championship side Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley, then potentially the proposed plans for their new 21,000 seater Fossetts Farm stadium would be shelved with immediate effect.

The relegations suffered by York City and Boston United amongst Barnet haven’t deterred them from relocating in recent years.

Southend themselves have been fighting tooth and nail in getting a squad sorted this season amid problems with a transfer embargo which was thankfully sorted a few weeks ago.

Despite injuries and Covid-19 also getting in the way they have managed to recruit some good signings where possible with Crawley Town midfielder Nathan Ferguson being the most recent to sign during the last fortnight on an eighteen-month deal.

Nile Ranger also looks set to re-join the club for a second spell which is supposedly a big coup in the eyes of some fans despite previous disciplinary issues.

In December, the way they picked up 11 points from a possible 18 was brilliant as it showed the squad had some sort of fight in them to take the battle to the teams above them, however, January has proven the opposite once more with only a possible four points from 18 gained in the month.

The 5-1 loss at Port Vale proved that Southend haven’t had it easy on the road this season either with just one away win gained with that being at Walsall in November. Three points out of a possible 18 on the road have been achieved since which does not exactly make for pretty reading.

It goes without saying that should Southend plummet to the National League come the end of the current campaign, life will be no easier for them than what it has been in League Two.

It would be expected they bring in vastly experienced players to oversee that transition or they may struggle even further and potentially copy that of York City, Stockport County and Torquay United in being relegated to the National League North/South.

Southend fans have already stated that they are fearful of the clubs finances being so bad that even the National League would refuse to welcome them in. Given the past experiences of Macclesfield Town, Hereford, Gateshead and many others in recent years that have been kicked out of the league due to financial problems, its a fate that could mean Southend drop lower than they ever have done before if worse comes to worse.

Compared to League Two, some of the potential journeys could be a lot closer to home in trips to Dagenham & Redbridge, Bromley, Sutton and Boreham Wood being just some of the potential names as a place for for their Boxing Day fixture should relegation come along and haunt Roots Hall for a second consecutive season on the trot.

Furthermore, there is a vast difference in terms of funding when in the National League with a gap of £2 million being the major loss when relegated. Within two years, relegated clubs lose the EFL funding for their youth setups.

Southend have previously produced some great young players like Daniel Bentley, Nathan Bishop and Dru Yearwood who have all gone onto sign for bigger clubs in leagues above in recent years, it could be another nail into their falling kneecaps.

With 20 games left in their season, Southend only have nine more home games left, however, that does include high flying sides like Salford City, Tranmere Rovers, Carlisle United and a final day showdown with Newport County whilst games against fellow bottom half sides Bolton and Stevenage will no doubt be more crucial and potentially more winnable than those previously mentioned ties.

However at the time of writing this, Southend’s February begins with two tough trips on the road to promotion chasing Newport County and Cambridge United in ties that by no means will be easy for them. Especially as the season winds down though, some of the more lengthier trips to Exeter, Morecambe and Barrow will be done and with the latter being the final away game of the campaign for them before the season finale concludes a week later, it could be a crucial test between relegation and survival.

Some serious questions will need to be asked by the club in the coming weeks. Is Molesley the right man to steer Southend out of trouble and if not, is he the right man to rebuild the club in the National League?

It is also worth asking which players deserve to stay at the club following this season?

Who knows, but whatever happens, rebuilding a side like Southend could continue beyond the next few years. Regardless of what manager is in charge and what league they find themselves in as of August.

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