SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown believes his side have started to look anxious when playing at Roots Hall.

Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Conference club Chester made it four home games without a win for the Shrimpers.

And Brown knows that has to improve if Blues are to push for promotion this season.

“I think we look anxious when we play at home now and one or two of the players look uptight,” said the 55-year-old.

“I need to eradicate that either through changing the personnel or by getting it across to the fans that we need to relax these players.

“If there’s any flak to be given, then please give it to me and nobody else because the players need to relax more.”

The poor results at Roots Hall are reminiscent of when Brown first came to the club in March 2013.

During that campaign the Shrimpers triumphed just six times at home as they finished 11th in the League Two standings.

And Brown is desperate to avoid a repeat of those persistent struggles at Roots Hall.

“When I first arrived here it was a like a graveyard and I think six home games had been won out of 23,” said Brown.

“We had to change that and we definitely did last season to make sure we got in the play-offs.

“But we need to get it back again now.

“We’re probably near the top of the table for away form but we need to be able to reproduce that at Roots Hall.

“We need to give the fans something to shout about and it’s something we need to address, starting with the Hartlepool game on Saturday.”