SHOULD we be surprised by this result, or should we have expected it?

Seasoned Saints fans probably expected it, it's been the Saints way for so long.

On a run of four consecutive wins and seven games unbeaten, they travel to the Championship's bottom team, who were without a win in their previous 17 league games.

Oh, and they had a normally prolific striker, Freddy Eastwood, who hadn't scored for six league games.

We needn't have bothered turning up really.

Most people thought this Saints team was different to ones we have seen in the past, that they were starting to display the qualities required to avoid these banana skins.

Where it all went wrong is a subject for debate.

For much of the game it seemed as though Saints wanted to walk the ball into the net, whereas Southend would just have a go when an opening arose.

Southend were well up for it, snapping at Saints' heels.

But there was no lack of effort from George Burley's men.

Maybe there was some mental complacency, it's hard to say.

For sure, some of the passing could only be described as sloppy, while much of the set-piece delivery was absolutely dreadful.

Burley has some thinking to do.

There is an obvious discrepancy in the team.

The left-hand side looks so strong, the exceptional Gareth Bale of course being much to do with this.

The right hand side is not exceptional. Saints still have to find the right blend there.

After two games back in the side, Alexander Ostlund was dropped from the 16 entirely, Chris Makin coming in at right back.

It's proved a problem position.

Ostlund gives you more going forward but there are some defensive question marks over him.

Makin is solid in defence but offers less in attack, and Jermaine Wright is similar when he has played there.

The answer is not easy.

But what we do know is the man Burley described as the best right back in the Championship last season, Chris Baird, is playing at centre half and there is a centre half (Pele) playing in the centre of midfield while Inigo Idiakez, Jhon Viafara and Mario Licka sit on the bench.

To be fair to Burley, why would he change something that has worked so well in recent weeks?

But after this result, maybe it's time to go back to the drawing board.

For Adam Leitch's full match report from Roots Hall, don't miss today's Daily Echo