SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown does not believe the Shrimpers have a discipline problem, despite being shown three red cards in their last four games.

Cian Bolger, Luke Prosser and Gary Deegan have all been dismissed in recent fixtures and Blues’ five red cards for the season is higher than any other club in League Two.

But Brown is not concerned and insists Southend are not a dirty side.

“If I thought we had a problem with discipline then I would address it and speak to the players but I genuinely don’t think it’s a worry,” said the 55-year-old.

“The Luke Prosser red card was very soft at Northampton and Cian Bolger’s one looked far worse than it was actually was against Dagenham.

“The clip that’s on YouTube doesn’t do him any favours but when someone as tall as him moves towards someone smaller it looks really bad.

“I also don’t think the referee would have sent Gary Deegan off at the weekend if four Oxford players had not got in to Gary’s face.

“I said the same to the referee and I think the footage proves it but he claimed that wasn’t true.

“We don’t want it to keep on happening but I certainly don’t think we’re a dirty side.”

Bolger was sent off at Plymouth Argyle towards the start of the season while Jerome Binnom-Williams was dismissed in the 4-1 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers last month.

However, Brown believes that the perception of some his players may also be landing them in trouble.

“The image of Gary Deegan is a combative, tough tackling midfielder who probably gets sent off two or three times a season but it’s not true,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“Saturday’s red card was actually the first of Gary’s career so it’s maybe something we need to take a look at.

“But the last three times we’ve gone down to 10 men we’ve still got something out of the game and that’s a real positive for me.”