Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has hinted that his players were suffering from a crisis of confidence.
Chelsea's front three of Joe Cole, Didier Drogba and goalscorer Salomon Kalou cost almost £40million to assemble and yet they squandered another hatful of chances to kill off their lowly opponents.
The Blues were guilty of the same offences when Championship side Burnley bundled them out of the Carling Cup on penalties and the Brazilian's post-match lament is becoming all-too familiar.
"I need to teach to my players more concentration when they arrive in front of goal," said a disappointed Scolari.
"This is my job every day.
"Maybe it is confidence when they arrive in front of goal, maybe pressure. They need to score more goals and get more confidence. Only this.
"If they are not together, they would not create 15 chances. We played very well and created 15 chances but only one goal.
"Southend played hard and very spirited for a draw. They got a draw but only had one shot on goal.
"Carlo Cudicini didn't make one save. Not scoring is our mistake. All the players feel the same as me."
It looked to be an easy afternoon for Chelsea when Kalou headed home Frank Lampard's corner in the 31st minute but a long throw from Johnny Herd in stoppage time was only partially cleared by Ricardo Carvalho and Peter Clarke, celebrating his 27th birthday, stooped for the goal that gave United a deserved third-round replay.
But Scolari reiterated that he will not buy a new striker and pledged to work harder on the training ground instead.
"We need to follow the same ideas - train, train, train," said Scolari. "I don't need another striker. I have a good squad, good players.
"We are still in the cup. Other teams that lost today are out, we are not out. We were better than Southend but didn't score a second goal."
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