SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is demanding a positive reaction from the Shrimpers at MK Dons tonight.

Blues slipped to 14th in the League One standings following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth.

But Brown is now eager to see his side get back on track.

“I’m looking for a reaction and a response tonight,” said the 58-year-old.

“I said after Saturday’s game that I would be making changes and that remains the case.

“I’ve given the players a lot of support and that will continue but that support needs to be rewarded with the performances.

“At the moment we’re not playing well enough to see off teams like Portsmouth and I was disappointed at how we reacted to their goal on Saturday.

“We need to see more of a reaction tonight.”

For the second game running, Blues face a side level on points with them in the League One standings.

And Brown is expecting another tricky test against a Dons team who are immediately above the Shrimpers in the standings.

“MK Dons are a footballing team but they’ve changed since the Karl Robinson days and they’re more physical now,” said Brown.

“They do still try play out from the back but have a good front four, including the biggest number 10 in the division.

“They have a real threat but we have to try and get at them at the other end.”

Blues must also start taking more of the chances coming their way after failing in front of goal at Portsmouth on Saturday.

Nile Ranger missed the Shrimpers’ best chance at Fratton Park when he blazed a first half penalty over the crossbar.

And Brown has now confirmed midfielder Josh Wright will be the next to try his luck from the spot.

“We have penalty takers at the club and the next one will probably be taken by Josh Wright if he’s playing,” said Brown.

“But I’ve actually been at loggerheads about penalty takers and policies since Saturday.

“Simon Cox was the penalty taker but he missed a couple and in between that Nile Ranger scored one in the win we had at Fleetwood and became the penalty taker because of that.”