ADAM Barrett admitted Southend United are in a fight to avoid relegation following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Rochdale.

The Shrimpers slumped to 22nd in the League One table after easily being brushed aside by their in-form hosts.

And Blues skipper Barrett was clearly disappointed to have suffered a third successive defeat on the road.

“It was very frustrating,” said the centre-back.

“We can’t put our finger on why the away form is so different to the home form where we have been doing well.

“But we have to fight for everything because at the moment we’re in a relegation battle.

“That’s how I see it and although there are loads of games left we need to start getting some results, especially away from home.

“Our supporters are magnificent but we have to give them something to shout about.”

Blues conceded twice inside the opening 27 minutes at Spotland.

And Barrett was frustrated by how the Shrimpers reacted to going behind.

“We’re really struggling to get back into games at the moment,” said the 36-year-old.

“We have to have a bit more belief and going a goal down is not the end of the world.

“We’ve got to be doing better and we’re really disappointed.”

Barrett now wants to see a big improvement at home to Chesterfield this weekend.

And the defender is keen to see a far more energetic display all around the pitch.

“I don’t think we pressed Rochdale high up the pitch like we have done at home recently so we need to get back to doing that,” said Barrett.

“We gave them far too much space and time and gave away some bad goals too.

“We don’t really look like scoring away from home at the moment and it’s a concern because of where we are in the league but we need to dig in and work hard to turn it around.”