Southend United skipper Simon Coleman believes the Third Division club's players have been lifted by the feel good factor currently sweeping through Roots Hall.

Following this week's appointment of former West Ham supremo Peter Storrie as the Seasiders' new chief executive, Coleman said the players' hopes of having a successful campaign this season were high.

The central defender, who reported back for pre-season training on Monday with the rest of Blues' first team, now wants this renewed confidence to inspire the Shrimpers to promotion.

"You can feel that there's a lot of optimism around the club and town at the moment which has given all the lads a major boost," said 31-year-old Coleman.

"We had a very bad season last year and under-achieved, but all the lads are desperate to put things right this term.

"We want to stay well clear of the bottom end of the table this season by keeping ourselves in contention for promotion."

Coleman also reported that his team mates had kept themselves in good shape over their summer breaks in preparation for a change of fortunes on the pitch.

"All the lads have been looking after themselves since we've been away and have eased back into training this week," he added.

"The training routine which the gaffer has put together is hard, but enjoyable, and the lads have been in good spirits.

"All the boys have had individual health and weight tests, but nobody has had any problems so far and everybody's looking good."

However, as well as putting his men through all the monotonous fitness work, Blues boss Alan Little has already had the ball out for a kick-about.

"Nobody likes doing all the running and other fitness work which is part and parcel of pre-season training - all you want to do is play with the ball when you come back," Coleman said.

"I've done pre-seasons at other clubs when the ball hasn't come out of the bag for the first couple of weeks - so it's been nice to get an early touch of the ball.

"You can do just as much training with the ball as without it and it helps the players to get comfortable with using the ball again at an early stage."

Little has been impressed by his men's commitment to the task so far and is pleased with his side's early progress.

"All the lads are looking good and I've been very happy with their response to my training methods," he said.

"The morale in the camp is high, which has shown in their eagerness to knuckle down and work hard."

Mr Motivator - Southend United boss Alan Little, taking charge of the Third Division club for his first full season, puts his men through their paces at Blues' Boots and Laces training ground

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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