LIAM Sercombe believes a fast start from Oxford United tonight will see Southend United’s fragile confidence crumble.

The U’s have yet to win away in Sky Bet League One this season, but go into the game at Roots Hall as the form side.

Southend are second bottom in the table and were thrashed at Northampton Town on Saturday.

Sercombe knows the opening exchanges could be pivotal and if the visitors can get on top, it would make life very difficult for the Shrimpers.

He said: “I saw they lost 4-0 at the weekend, so they’re not in the best of places.

“I’m sure if we can get the first goal then it won’t go too well for them.

“I think their confidence is very low at the minute and if we can get the first goal early on it will drop even lower.

“That will be our aim and we just need a quick start.”

He added: “No-one is going to feel sorry for any other team because no-one would feel sorry for us if we were on a bad run.

“We need to go there and get right in their faces from the kick-off.”

A first goal would make United warm favourites to win the game – it is almost a year since Southend came from behind to take maximum points.

Roots Hall, though, has been an unhappy hunting ground for the U’s in recent years.

Their 1-1 draw two seasons ago ended a run of six straight defeats.

Michael Appleton’s side have shown encouraging signs in putting together a four-match unbeaten run.

The tenth game is often the point where it is said tables begin to take shape, but Joe Skarz reckons it could take twice as long given the state of League One so far.

He said: “It’s looking all right but it’s really tight still.

“After ten games you get a picture of it, but I think in this league it’s so tight you’re looking at 20 games when it all develops.

“We’re only six points off the top and seven off the bottom.”