Kevin Harman admitted his Southend side face a mammoth task in tomorrow's derby clash at free-scoring National Division Three South leaders Barking.
The seventh placed Seasiders' hosts are in formidable form at the moment, having won their last eight matches on the trot.
Barking are also the top point scorers in the league this season, having already accumulated a massive 501 points.
However, Southend's director of rugby Harman said his team wouldn't be travelling to Gorebrook like lambs to the slaughter.
"There's no doubt about it, this will be our hardest game of the season, but it's an Essex derby and anything can happen," he said.
"They are the best side in the division, which is why they are top of the league, and they are winning games by big margins at the moment.
"But we have improved since we played Barking just before Christmas at our place.
"We lost 40-23 on that occasion and in the first-half they absolutely smashed us to pieces.
"But we held our own after the interval and played well during the second-half.
"We will need to be at our best for the entire 80 minutes if we hope to get something tomorrow."
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