UNDERFIRE Phil Brown remains confident of turning things around at Southend United.

The Shrimpers slipped to their seventh defeat in eight games on Saturday, losing 3-1 at Northampton Town.

But, when asked what he would say to Blues’ fans demanding a change in management, Brown said: “Stick with it.

“There’s plenty of time and plenty of games to go.

“The January transfer window is still open and if we get the right mentality coming into the camp then it gets us out of this situation.

“I’m talking to players and hopefully one will be coming in on Monday.”

The Shrimpers were again below par at the Sixfields Stadium as slipped to a third defeat in succession.

And Brown was unable to hide his disappointment at the final whistle.

“My reaction is one of despair to tell you the truth,” said the 58-year-old, who was in charge of the club for the 250th time.

“It was a good game in the first half and we were involved in a battle like we expected it to be.

“But strange decisions and silly mistakes by our defenders cost us in the second half.

“We didn’t clear our lines when we should have done and although he first foul wasn’t given the second one was and the penalty put us on the back foot.”

Those errors continued Southend’s woeful run on the road and they have now gone eight away games without a victory.

But Brown felt Blues played well in the first half against the Cobblers.

“I thought the first half was a good away performance and we played them at their own game,” said the Blues boss.

“We went in their faces but five minutes into the second half we gave a stupid penalty away and got punished.

“I’m not blaming young lads. I put them in there but one or two of them got exposed today.

“We’re not riding our luck at the moment and we’re not learning from our past mistakes.

“Obviously pressure mounts the more you go without a win but if we go back to the way we played against Charlton then we’ll be OK.”

Saturday’s defeat came also came in Blues’ first outing since the departures of Ryan Leonard and Nile Ranger.

But Brown is backing his side to deal with them leaving.

“I wouldn’t have advocating sacking Nile Ranger if I thought if he was going to get loads of goals,” said Brown.

“If you look at his stats he was one (goal) in five (games) and yes there were moments of individual brilliance but we were losing games with Nile Ranger and if I can bring someone in to replace him then all well and good.

“Is Lenny replaceable? He has to be.

“I’ve got three or four central midfielders I’m talking to and the sooner we bring one in the better so we can address the Fleetwood game.”