SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has held a heart to heart meeting with his players in a bid to secure a successful end to the season.

Brown admitted the Shrimpers were no longer able to win automatic promotion following Wednesday night’s frustrating 2-1 defeat at table-topping Burton Albion.

But he now has his sights on making the play-offs and is demanding an immediate improvement against Cambridge United at Roots Hall tomorrow.

“We had the luxury of an overnight stay after the Burton game and it also allowed us all to get together for a real heart to heart meeting about what’s gone on,” said Brown.

“What really came across to me was how much the players are hurting and how much they care about the football club and what we’re trying achieve.

“That’s something I want the supporters to know because we’re in this together and we still have a fantastic opportunity to achieve something this season.

“But even to make the play-offs I think we’re going to need maybe another five or six wins from our remaining matches and we want to get the first of those against Cambridge because we need to see a reaction to what happened on Wednesday.”

Blues, who were beaten by the 10 men Brewers despite leading 1-0 at half-time, head in to the game sitting fifth in the League Two standings, six points below the automatic promotion places with just nine matches remaining.

Brown believes that gap is impossible to close but he is now urging his side to play with more aggression and attacking urgency.

“It’s a bit of a change in our mentality but we will be going for it and I want us to be very attack minded against Cambridge,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“I think automatic promotion has gone for us now but the play-offs haven’t and I want to see us right in their faces tomorrow because I think that can win us the game.”

And Brown believes changes more also help Blues see off a U’s side who are currently 18th in the table.

“We had 21 players travel up to Burton with us and there will be opportunities now for some of them who didn’t play,” confirmed the 55-year-old.

“Jack Payne was one who jumped out the pack for me in training yesterday and he’s someone who can open things up.

“He’s very creative and he’s certainly in my thoughts for this game.”