SOUTHEND United striker Simon Cox insists he would swap all individual accolades for the Shrimpers staying up this season.

Cox has been Blues’ standout performer this term, scoring 17 goals.

But the forward is far more interested in how the team performs.

“Individual accolades don’t mean anything if the team isn’t doing well,” said Cox.

“It’s nice to get goals and assists and if I can look back in the summer and think I had a good season then great but it’s how well the team do that means the most.

“We have to make sure we stay up and we want more points at Rochdale on Saturday to help make that happen.”

The Shrimpers head to Spotland sitting 19th in the standings, just one point above the relegation zone with just two games to go.

But Cox’s fine form remains Blues’ best hope of staying up.

Since the turn of the year, Cox has been directly involved in 54 per cent of Southend’s goals.

The striker is also enjoying his most prolific season since the 2008/09 campaign when he netted 32 goals for Swindon Town and his strikes have secured 10 points for the Shrimpers this term.

However, Cox is keen to add to his tally this weekend as he bids to start his birthday celebrations early.

“It’s my birthday on Sunday but what happens on Saturday will make or break my day really,” said Cox, who will be turning 32.

“I’m not getting any younger but getting the three points would make my weekend.”

Blues go into the game on the back of a vital 3-2 win against Burton Albion, which saw Cox make two of Southend’s goals.

And the striker feels the win means the Shrimpers go into Saturday’s clash in good spirits.

“Confidence is high after we were able to hold out against Burton and get the result we needed,” said Cox.

“We scored some good goals and the only real negative was that we conceded a couple.

“But we’re looking forward to the Rochdale game now and we want another win.”

However, Cox knows Rochdale - who are 15th in the table - will be tough to beat tomorrow.

“Rochdale have been doing well after their change in management,” said Cox.

“They probably need one more point to be mathematically safe and whether that will be on their minds I don’t know.

“But we just have to make sure we have the same work ethic and the same workrate because if we do we can definitely get the three points.”