ALAN McCormack insists Blues must begin to believe in themselves if they are to work their way back up the table.

The midfielder was unable to stop the Shrimpers suffering a 3-0 at league leaders Leicester City on Saturday.

But McCormack, who made his 100th appearance for the club, is sure his side still have what it takes to become a force to be reckoned with at this level.

“It was always going to be hard for us at Leicester but it was still disappointing and we need to start believing in ourselves,” the Irishman told the Echo.

“They had a little bit more quality in the final third than we did and we didn’t help ourselves by giving the ball away in some bad areas.

“I think we’re lacking a bit of confidence in front of goal as well right now but we have to work through it and we can still do well because we have some real quality here.

“The Leicester game is done and dusted and we have to look forward and work hard to make sure we’re ready for Huddersfield this weekend.”

The reverse at the Walkers Stadium, which saw home striker Matt Fryatt score a hat-trick, means the Shrimpers have now won just one of their last eight league games.

That has seen them slip to 11th in the table, eight points below the play-offs.

But McCormack is sure they can soon close that gap.

“We’ve had a lot of changes this year and I think there are only four or five of us left from last season,” he said.

“Half the team has changed and when that happens it does take time for people to adapt and get used to one another.

“We haven’t had a settled side either which makes it a more difficult task but after Christmas we should be able to field the same side week in, week out.

“That will make a difference and then I think you will see that we can still be one of the best sides in this league.”

Manager Steve Tilson also tried to remain upbeat and felt his side did not deserve to be on the end of such a convincing defeat.

“For me it was never a 3-0 game,” said the Blues boss.

“When they were one up I thought we had more shots than them but in the end I thought their front two were the difference.

“Steve Howard is always a handful and Fryatt is on fire at the moment.

“He’s a good player and can’t miss right now. I didn’t feel like we were passed off the park and we did frustrate them at times.

“But now it’s all about bouncing back for Huddersfield.”