JASON Demetriou feels Southend United must get nasty if they are to beat the drop this season.

The Shrimpers produced a more aggressive display when drawing 2-2 at Fleetwood Town on Saturday.

And the experienced right-back insists Blues must maintain their new approach if they are to stay above the bottom four.

“We speak among ourselves and we knew we had to change,” said Demetriou.

“The group we have is a really nice one and that’s great off the pitch but when you’re on it you need that nasty side, as long as it’s controlled, so the opposition know they’re in a game.

“We had that Saturday and we need to keep it going in the games we have coming up too.”

Blues were led by new manager Kevin Bond for the first time at Fleetwood.

And Demetriou is already enjoying playing for the Shrimpers’ new manager.

“He’s very calm and that’s great when you’re in the kind of situation we are at the moment,” said the defender.

“He keeps saying how he wants us to play and it’s been good.”

Bond’s approach saw Blues end a run of four successive defeats with Saturday’s draw at Fleetwood.

And Demetriou feels the Shrimpers will have been boosted by their improved display.

“It was much better and on the way back home you could see and feel the confidence was back,” said the 31-year-old.

“It’s been a few weeks since the lads had been talking like we all were on the coach and we were all saying keep playing like that and we will stay up.

“We need to keep it going but I’m buzzing for Saturday now.

“It’s a big game against Wycombe but we’re looking forward to it, especially after how we performed at the weekend.”

The draw kept Blues 20th in the League One standings and they sit just ahead of the drop zone on goal difference.

But Demetriou is determined to lead the Shrimpers to safety after being named skipper by new boss Bond.

“I didn’t know anything about it until the day but it was a nice little boost,” said Demetriou.

“I was proud to do it and would like to keep doing it but the main thing is staying up.”