SOUTHEND United chairman Ron Martin has hit out at the Shrimpers’ display at Bristol Rovers.

Blues were seen off 3-0 by the Pirates.

And Martin was not at all impressed.

“The players’ performance was out of character,” said Martin.

“It was out of character for the individual players and certainly out of character for a Phil Brown team.

"One thing you can be assured from Phil Brown is that the players play for him, whether he is at Southend United, Hull City or wherever.

"It is what people identify with Phil, he is totally committed and demands his players are too.

"Nobody can say they didn't play for the manager against Portsmouth, MK Dons, Oxford or Oldham so why yesterday?

"I hope the players have looked in the mirror and asked themselves the same question.

"It was not what any of us expect from a Southend United team.”

And Martin - who is maintaining his support for manager Phil Brown - believes the players are capable of producing much better.

“Individually this squad is one of, if not the best, for many many years and together we can succeed but it takes total commitment from all, all of the time,” said Martin.

“It was the players’ Christmas party after the game and if that’s to blame then Christmas should have been postponed until June!

"There is no room for failure at Southend United.”