SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown slammed his side for having too many passengers in their 4-1 defeat at table-topping Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Blues were well below their best against the League One leaders at the DW Stadium.

And the setback left Brown questioning the character of his team.

“We had too many passengers,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“There wasn’t enough character and there weren’t enough players who think they can play at this level.

“We had 10 outfield players who lost 10 individual battles.

“We were punished for playing football in an unorthodox way and we brought trouble onto ourselves.

“We didn’t do the simple basics of football and that’s being able to stand up to your opponents which disappoints me.”

The defeat - which came after Blues conceded three goals in the opening 36 minutes - made it five matches without a win for Brown’s side.

But the Shrimpers boss felt goalkeeper Ted Smith – who was handed his first start of the season in place of Daniel Bentley – did not deserve to be criticised.

“Ted was making his League One bow and it was important we had a look at him due to the uncertainty surrounding Dan Bentley’s future.

“But we conceded four goals because of the individuals in front of him and certainly not because of him.”

However, Brown is now demanding an immediate improvement from his players.

And he is also keen to see an improved mentality. “The attitude has been poor this season,” said Brown.

“I don’t see anybody putting their bodies on the line to the point of them spilling claret for the cause.

“Players either don’t want to be here on the contract front or because they don’t think they can play League One football and there were too many of them today.

“And after 10 minutes I could have changed 10 players.”

That made it tough viewing for Blues’ 579 travelling supporters who Brown had sympathy for at the final whistle. “I feel for the supporters,” said the 56-year-old.

“It wasn’t easy for me having to watch that either and from two to 11 we capitulated.”