SOUTHEND United fans feel midfield is where the Shrimpers most need strengthening before the start of next season.

Blues boss Kevin Bond is currently attempting to bolster his squad.

But an Echosport poll, which attracted 1,136 votes, saw 43 per cent of supporters select the centre of the park as the area where new signings were most needed.

Keen Shrimpers fan Matthew Hughes was among those who selected the centre of the park.

He said: “I think it was midfield where we struggled the most last season and is therefore where we most need to improve for next season too.

“Getting rid of Michael Timlin and Anthony Wordsworth left us short of creativity and aggression in midfield and we need to rectify that.

“Of course there are other areas that need strengthening, with left-back being the obvious one, but I think it’s midfield which is most important because I think that was a major reason why we struggled last season.”

Thirty-four per cent of those who voted felt Blues most needed to improve at the back, with 13 per cent choosing the wing areas and 10 per cent the striking positions.

But Joe Elliott, a Shrimpers supporter from Eastwood, felt it was hard to pinpoint just one area.

“I think after the season we’ve just had we need to improve all over the pitch,” said Elliott.

“After losing Ben Coker, Sam Hart and Stephen Hendrie it’s obvious we need a left-back but I also think we need to bring in players with some pace as that’s what we’ve been missing.

“We also need to make signings who have a good record of playing 35 to 40 games a season rather than bringing in those who have a history of getting injured.

“We have to learn from previous mistakes.”