SOUTHEND United chairman Ron Martin has his say on Blues' struggles. 

Supporters would argue they are really fed up. There is no doubt that must be true, I am equally “fed up”.

We are in this together but we can help each other to get out of it too.

The negativity has been affecting the club long before Kevin Bond’s reign.

Chris Powell stepped in because Phil Brown lost the dressing room, factions when players are needing to pull together is a recipe for disaster.

It was this that caused Phil his job.

When Chris came in he released the arguably contentious individuals, some might say “characters”.

A football club needs characters on the pitch.

There is no doubt during Chris’ time we were hugely unlucky with injuries, but maybe fitness played its part too.

Decisions on recruitment is always, certainly in the lower leagues, the responsibility of the manager and his staff.

A chairman or CEO could not force a player on the manager, they must be his players.

In recruiting players a chairman either backs the manager or sacks him.

I backed both Chris and Kevin.

Do I regret that? With some yes I do.

I supported Chris Powell and Kevin Bond with the best intentions but now we will make changes.

Sol talks about the regime at the training ground having become “loose”.

That does not happen overnight but creeps in over time and right now we can nip it in the bud.

Your club will not put up with sloppiness or uncaring players.

There are many in this squad who care passionately about winning, as the supporters do, and I do.

Why should supporters spend their hard earned money to come and watch their club lose week in week out.

We care but there will be zero tolerance for misbehaviour or anyone who is not professional or simply does not care enough, they can leave.

In Sol Campbell, Hermann Heidersson, Andy Cole and Tony Colbert we have assembled a highly professional management team.

A group of individuals who, like me, will not accept failure.

Together we will do whatever it takes to get “The Blues” out of this mire.

We are already “on it”.

Sol and I agree we probably need six new players in January to turn the tide and help those current players, who do care, to succeed too.

Sol is both widely respected and connected to recruit what we need.

In between does not mean for one minute we will not continue to give our all, on and off the pitch, and I am grateful for the fans continued support, brilliant as always despite the horrors.

Please stay with it for only together we can make a difference.

I cannot promise an immediate return to success but I might die trying!

Finally off the pitch the council are doing their best also.

People are critical but they should not be. There is a great deal of progress being made but we cannot make announcements whilst matters remain confidential.

As with the club's supporters we too have to work together and we are.

This club and town must fight to succeed as one.

I will never give up on our supporters and supporters must never give up on their club.