SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown admitted he was under pressure following the Shrimpers’ 2-0 defeat at Port Vale on Saturday.

Blues’ setback at Vale Park was their eighth in succession and their third at the start of the current campaign.

But Brown remains determined to get his side back on track and still believes they can enjoy a successful season.

“We’re not running away from anything, we’re here to win games of football and when that doesn’t happen the pressure gets cranked up,” said Brown.

“If anyone wants to put the pressure on me I’ll accept it and if anyone wants to blame anyone, blame me.

“I’m the manager of the club and our naivety is gifting our opposition goals and points at the moment.

“But we’re only two games into the league season and one win would change everything so we can definitely still have a good season.”

Blues’ defeat also sent them to the bottom of the League One standings.

And Brown believes new signings will be needed to turn around his side’s fortunes, highlighting the inexperience of substitutes Adam King, Jack Bridge and Jason Williams as a need for further investment in the squad.

“I brought three players on, one is an under 21 from Swansea and the other two were playing for Chelmsford City last season,” said Brown.

“That highlights the issues and problems I’ve got.

“We need a bigger squad and we need (Nile) Ranger, (Michael) Timlin and (Anthony) Wordsworth back fit.

“We’re missing some big players and a big squad.”

Blues have now also missed out on signing defender Dominic Ball who opted to join Rotherham United from Tottenham Hotspur.

But Brown insists he is still working tirelessly to bring in more players in a bid to turn things around.

“I can’t try any harder than I am and I will keep going,” said Brown.

“We want to improve but I haven’t got my full squad in place at the moment and that’s something we need to sort out.

“However, it’s not teams beating us at the moment, we’re beating ourselves.”

And Brown believes the latest setback will have hurt the Shrimpers.

“The lads can’t do any more in terms of their work-rate but the psychology of losing another game is going to be very damning,” said Brown.

“I’ve been asked about the end to last season but there was a reason for that after three years together.

“This is a new group now and you can see they’re suffering. “They’re on the back-foot and there’s no real belief or confidence but we need to see a reaction at Sheffield United tomorrow night.”