Alan Little has ordered his Southend United team to continue their good run of form away from Roots Hall at Third Division pace-setters Barnet.

Blues have failed to pick up a solitary win from their last six outings on home soil, but have only lost one game from five on their travels, which the Shrimpers chief believes his men can build on at Underhill on Saturday.

"Everybody knows our recent form at Roots Hall has been disappointing, but we've done fairly well away from home which I hope is going to continue at Barnet," said Little.

"They beat us 3-1 at our place last December, but haven't won since and will be low on confidence, which we need to take advantage of by gaining revenge."

Little guided the Seasiders to a 2-0 victory at Underhill towards the end of last season and he is confident of steering Blues to a repeat performance in this clash.

"Barnet are going through a sticky patch on their own turf at present and we'll be travelling there full of confidence," said the Shrimpers' manager.

"My players were very low at the start of the week following our 2-1 Roots Hall defeat against Rotherham United on Monday, but I have charged them up again over the last few days.

"We have nothing to fear from Barnet and we know we can hurt them because we outplayed them for nearly half-an-hour on our own pitch last month, but were sunk by breakaway goals.

"Now we need to transform that display into a 90 minute performance which can earn us three points."

However, Little acknowledged the threat posed by third-placed Barnet's three-pronged strike force of hitmen Ken Charlery, Marlon King and wing-swapping wideman Darren Currie.

"I rate Barnet as one of the best sides I have seen this season and they are very dangerous going forward," Little admitted.

"Their striking trio move intelligently off the ball and are lively enough to cause any defence in this division problems, but I'm sure we can snuff them out."

The Southend manager also hinted he would be sticking by underfire custodian Mark Prudhoe at the expense of fans' choice Mel Capleton.

Mark Prudhoe - likely to play in goal for Blues instead of Mel Capleton

Barnet out for blood/B>

Barnet will be gunning for revenge when they meet Southend United at their cramped Underhill stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Shrimpers played a key-role in Barnet losing their grip on the Third Division's top spot Monday, following a 2-1 Roots Hall defeat against Rotherham United, which crowned the Yorkshiremen league leaders.

However, Blues have never lost at Underhill, a record which the Bees also hold on Southend's ground, and will be looking to extend their run against the Londoners, who have struggled on home soil this term.

In fact, Barnet, now third in the league standings, one point adrift of goal-difference separated Swansea City and Rotherham, have failed to register a victory since their December clash with the Seasiders.

The Bees maintained their 100 per cent league record at Roots Hall with a 3-1 success, thanks to goals from midfielder Danny Brown, twice, and young striker Marlon King, which they will hope to repeat tomorrow.

But Barnet have failed to win any of their last four league fixtures, taking just three points from a possible 12, a torrid run they expect to end against Southend.

Bees manager John Still should have a fully-fit squad for this derby match, although Brown could be missing from the centre of the park for the home side with an ankle knock.

Barnet (from): Harrison, Heald, Arber, Hackett, Stockley, Sawyers, Toms, Doolan, Currie, Charlery, King, McGleish, Searle, Brown, Davidson, Basham, D'Arcy, Naisbitt.

For the record

Last five meetings:

Aug 1993 Blues 0-2 Barnet (LC)

Aug 1993 Barnet 1-1 Blues (LC)

Dec 1998 Blues 2-3 Barnet

May 1999 Barnet 0-2 Blues

Dec 1999 Blues 1-3 Barnet

Form book - Barnet's last five league matches:

Away - Shrewsbury: 1-1

Home - Halifax: 0-1

Away - Brighton: 1-1

Home - Mansfield: 0-0

Away - Southend: 3-1

Dangerman: David Currie - wing-wizard troublemaker.

Barnet hotshot: Scott McGleish - nine league and cup goals

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.