SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown felt his side ‘failed to turn up’ in Saturday’s 4-2 defeat to table-topping Sheffield United at Roots Hall.

The Shrimpers had been unbeaten in 13 games before facing the in-form Blades.

But Brown was disappointed Blues were unable to cause the League One leaders more problems.

“The game was set up nicely with two in-form teams and top against seventh but one team turned up and the other one didn’t,” said Brown.

“I’m disappointed and surprised as well if I’m honest because I just didn’t see this coming in training.

“Their big players turned up and ours didn’t.

“They were also fired up and it didn’t look like my players were which is my responsibility.

“We need to focus on Rochdale now but this has hurt me.”

Despite the defeat - which was Southend’s first in the league since losing to Rochdale in October - the Shrimpers remain seventh in the table, just a point outside the play-offs.

And Brown was keen to point out there were still reasons to be cheerful.

“As disappointing as this defeat is it’s not all doom and gloom,” said the Blues chief.

“It’s one defeat in 14 games and our points return in that period is championship form.

“I know some people might have thought a defeat at some stage was inevitable but that’s not my mentality.

“If you go unbeaten until the end of the season then you’re going to be in the play-offs or above and that’s our target.

“But I’ll analyse the preparation and the mentality and we’ll work hard to get it right again on the training ground this week.”

Blues went behind early on when Ethan Ebanks-Landell headed the Blades in front.

However, Simon Cox equalised for the Shrimpers before Jack O’Connell put the visitors back in front on the stroke of half-time.

And Brown felt Sheffield United’s second goal was a key moment in the game.

“That goal killed us to a certain extent and it was very disappointing,” said the 57-year-old.

“They had four shots on target and got four goals which isn’t something I like to hear.

“We had a go towards the end and got a goal back from Jermaine McGlashan but it was all too late by that stage.

“But it’s another big game against Rochdale this weekend and we have to make sure we play much better in that one.”