PHIL Brown admits Southend United are letting their fans down after suffering a disappointing 2-0 defeat at struggling AFC Wimbledon.

The setback - which was the Shrimpers’ sixth reverse in seven games - also extended the winless streak on the road to seven matches.

And Brown is fully aware Blues’ travelling supporters deserve far better.

“We have great away support but we’re letting them down,” said the 58-year-old.

“That’s me, the backroom staff and the players. We’re letting everybody down at the football club at the moment.”

The latest defeat saw Southend slip to 17th in the League One standings, just four points above the relegation zone.

And Brown felt poor defending was to blame for the result.

“They defended properly and we didn’t,” said Brown.

“We gave them two poor goals and it took until after the second goal for us to get the ball down and play.

“The lads have been crying out for a surface like that but we weren’t able to exploit it and we didn’t pass the ball as well as we could.”

The setback followed a 2-1 defeat against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

And Brown believes opposition teams are now beginning to figure out how to see off the Shrimpers.

“I think Wimbledon took a leaf out of Shrewsbury’s book,” said Brown.

“They went 4-3-3 and got in our faces.

“Teams are working us out and they’re stopping our full-backs getting forward.”

But Brown remains determined to turn things around and would love to be given the opportunity to freshen up the squad during the January transfer window.

“If given the chance I would like to make three or four changes,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“We need the mentality to change more than anything else.

“I pointed the finger at one or two after the game. They didn’t like it but it doesn’t matter.

“If a player plays poorly he doesn’t lose his job, but one or two of us are fearing that now.

“We’re losing important players which doesn’t help and I had no Anton Ferdinand, no Michael Turner and no Josh Wright, who has been an integral part of the midfield.

“But I’m not looking at the table at the moment. I’m looking at the next game, which is Northampton Town on Saturday.”