PHIL Brown is fast approaching five years and 250 matches in charge of Southend United.

But Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers saw the Shrimpers chief arguably more down and dejected than ever before.

From my own personal recollection, two losses to Burton Albion while in League Two hit Brown hard and so did a 3-0 defeat at Rochdale last season.

However, none of those setbacks led to a reaction like we saw at the weekend.

Brown publicly questioned whether or not he still had the support of his players and also seemed to be worried if he might stay in charge.

Brown may have made the comments in a bid to motivate his players ahead of Saturday’s clash with Bradford City. But either way his honest remarks revealed the seriousness of the Shrimpers’ situation.

With Brown in charge Blues have improved their league position each season but this time around expectation levels are higher than ever before.

A seventh placed finish last term meant the Shrimpers kicked off the campaign with seemingly realistic aspirations of securing a place in the play-offs.

Those hopes were further boosted when chairman Ron Martin invested heavily in the squad with Michael Turner, Michael Kightly and Rob Kiernan all being brought to the club while Anton Ferdinand also signed a new contract.

Martin also opted to reject offers for star midfielder Ryan Leonard but that optimism and investment are not been reflected in Blues’ performances right now.

Yes, the Shrimpers remain in the top half of the table but delve a little deeper and you will see Brown’s side sit seven points below the play-off places having also played a game more than sixth placed Charlton Athletic.

Of course there are still plenty of points to play for and plenty of time to close gaps.

But right now Blues seem unable to generate the momentum and consistency needed to sustain a serious push for promotion, especially away from home.

Saturday’s defeat may not have been the biggest of the season but in my opinion it was the worst as the Shrimpers were easily brushed aside and would have suffered a far heavier defeat had goalkeeper Mark Oxley not pulled off a string of fine saves.

At the other end of the field, Josh Wright missed a glorious opportunity midway through the first half and had the midfielder hit the back of the net the game could have gone differently.

But Wright sliced his effort wide as Blues’ poor run of results away from home continued.

The Shrimpers – who have not been beaten in 10 outings at Roots Hall – have triumphed just twice in 11 fixtures on the road and have won just once in their last eight games on their travels.

Furthermore, Southend have conceded 25 goals in their 11 away League games – the second worst record in the top four divisions in the country.

Only League Two side Yeovil Town have conceded more on their travels and, with Blues also struggling to convert chances, it is easy to see why things are not quite going to plan at this stage.

Boss Brown – who still has the support of his chairman Ron Martin – also questioned his side’s character at the final whistle and that remains a concern.

The Shrimpers have yet to win a game they have conceded first in this term and, with Christmas fast approaching, have also taken just two points from losing positions.

Blues rarely looked like ending that record at Bristol Rovers and failed to register a single shot on target during a bitterly cold and disappointing afternoon.

Quite where the team goes from here remains to be seen but the impending return of left-back Ben Coker will be of huge benefit. Coker has been a huge miss for the Shrimpers and providing he can quickly regain match fitness the defender will definitely make a big difference.

But for the potential of this team to be truly realised you feel Brown will soon have to start making some decisions in terms of team selection – otherwise the pressure could well intensify on those above him to make a big decision of their own.