Southend United Football Club

• Nickname:Shrimpers
• Founded:1906
• Manager:Paul Sturrock

• Ground:Roots Hall
• Capacity:12392

Francis denies relegation fears

12 Feb 2009 - 11:56:14

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Southend United defender Simon Francis has insisted that the club are closer to promotion than relegation and that they are still targeting a top-six finish.

United were one of the pre-season favourites for promotion after being relegated from the Championship last year, but currently lie seven points off the relegation zone in 14th place.

"A couple of wins and we're back up there," Francis optimistically told BBC Essex, speaking at a time when the Shrimpers are 16 points behind sixth-placed Millwall.

"If that happens maybe we can start talking about the top-half of the table and the play-offs.

"First we have to get out of where we are and not let people think we're in a relegation battle because it's not what we're thinking."