ADAM Barrett insists it should not be all doom and gloom for Southend United despite their disappointing start to the season.

Blues were beaten 2-0 at Port Vale on Saturday to make it three successive defeats this term.

But the Shrimpers skipper has urged his side to remain upbeat as they bid to get their season back on track “We’re very disappointed and this is obviously not the start we wanted at all but it shouldn’t be all doom and gloom for us,” said Barrett.

“We’re two games into a season and I’ve been here before many times with the club.

“I don’t think we’ve ever started well when I’ve been here and we’ve got to roll our sleeves up and stand up and be counted at Sheffield United on Tuesday now because we have to put this right.”

Saturday’s defeat extended an unwanted club record of eight defeats in succession.

But Barrett feels last season’s setbacks should no longer be mentioned.

“What happened last season is irrelevant now in my opinion,” said the centre-back.

“This is a new season and a clean slate and it’s what’s happening now we have to worry about, not last year.

“It’s been a disappointing start and we all know that.

“We need to get that first win under our belts sooner rather than later to settle everyone down.”

But Barrett initially felt the Shrimpers were set to pick up their first points of the season at Port Vale.

“I thought we competed and in the first half we seemed to have chance after chance but we need to be taking them otherwise you get punished at this level,” said the 36-year- “We need to learn from this and we need to learn quickly to put things right.

“We want that to start at Sheffield United on Tuesday by going there and putting points on the board which we’re more than capable of doing.”