SOUTHEND United chairman Ron Martin is backing manager Phil Brown to lead the club to success this season.

Blues have not won in their last five games, picking up two points from a possible 15 since the end of September.

But Martin is not concerned by the current poor form and revealed Brown will be signing his new four year contract within the next fortnight.

“I have every confidence in Phil and I believe he’s assembled a very strong squad at the football club,” said Martin.

“There have been a few changes since last season and I don’t think we’ve been able to get that level of continuity you need at this stage.

“But I’ve offered Phil a contract and would expect him to sign it this week or next.

“I will be very happy when he signs it too.”

Brown’s new deal will see the first year of the contract expire at the end of this season before running out in the summer of 2017.

The former Hull City chief has been in charge of Blues since March 2013 and led his side in to the play-offs last season.

But, this time around, the Shrimpers are ninth in the table and having been struggling to score goals.

Only four teams have now hit the back of the net fewer times than Southend in League Two this term.

And Martin revealed he would be happy to sanction the signing of a striker if the lack of goals remains an ongoing concern.

But he believes the forwards already at the club have the talent to hit the back of the net on a more regular basis.

“I actually think we do have players in our squad who are more than capable of getting goals in League Two,” said Martin.

“But if it’s not working and we need to bring someone else in then of course I will work with Phil to make sure that can happen.”