PHIL Brown believes Southend United's relegation fight is still in their own hands.

The Shrimpers head into Tuesday's clash with Colchester United sitting six points behind the U's with just four games to go.

But Brown feels Blues have not been affected by Colchester getting back to winning ways against Walsall at the weekend.

"Colchester winning didn’t burst by bubble at all," said Brown.

"What blew it up to begin with was how the players have approached everything, including my training regime compared to the previous one because a lot of changes have gone on there.

"We can only control what we do and of course this game is a six pointer.

"It’s still in our hands in my opinion but it’s must win, deal with that pressure.

"I’ve got to and the players have to as well, end of story."

And Brown still believes it is the biggest game in Blues' history. 

"It’s the biggest challenge and the biggest game," said the 61-year-old.

"It’s a must win situation and I think we must win all four of the games we have left.

"If we can get to 50 points it will be a different scenario.

"I’m not convinced everyone above us in the 40s is safe but we need to win this game or it’s the end of a great era."

But Brown is still fighting hard to turn things around. 

"The players have been fully versed and I was buoyed by the performance on Saturday," said Brown.

"The players were very committed and very focused on the job in hand.

"Now we have to show we want it more than Colchester because that’s the only way we can win the game.

"They’ve got as much talent as we have but we have to show the supporters we want it more than Colchester.

"I’ve got to put a team out that will show that."

Brown has won all three of his previous Essex derbies and is keen to keep that run going.

"I’ve got some good memories from playing Colchester but I'd love more," said Brown.

"Will it be about beautiful football? I’m not bothered, it’s just about the three points.

"Those three points would look like six for us after the game and it will look like nine for Colchester if they win because that would be the distance between us.

"That’s one thing we have to avoid but we have to get on the front foot and be more positive about ourselves in the final third."