Despondent Southend United boss Alvin Martin last night threatened to quit if his team are not in the promotion chase by Christmas.

The Blues chief emerged after an hour-long dressing room inquest following a disastrous 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Mansfield to shoulder the blame for what he described as "an abysmal" display.

Martin said: "The responsibility for a performance like that rests with nobody else but the manager - I pick the team and prepare and coach the players . . . it's down to me.

"I have to hold my hands up and say the crowd were absolutely right to shout what a load of rubbish - I couldn't honestly argue with that.

"I can also understand the fans calling for my head and if I haven't got this team into a decent position by Christmas then I would have to seriously listen to those calls for me to resign.

"That means we've got nine games to somehow pull ourselves out of this terrible run and get into a position ready to mount a real challenge in the new year."

Martin admitted the supporters had given him and the team tremendous backing this season - "their patience is obviously running out and I can't blame them," he added.

"Tonight we looked like a side totally lacking in confidence and afraid to try and play which is a big concern for any manager.

"There were no excuses because we got off to a flying start, scored early and that should have been the platform to go on and collect three points, but we just fell apart and got overwhelmed.

"There was no decent passing, no endeavour and no work-rate right the way through the side and Mansfield, who were no different to most teams at this level, simply took control.

"This team is better than what we showed out there and the club certainly deserves much better from the people in charge.

"It's my job to get Southend United out of this division this season, but we won't do it if we perform as we did tonight - like a kick-and-rush team.

"Mansfield knocked the ball about much better than we did and showed more appetite and desire which is just not good enough for the people of Southend or me . . . all our reputations are on the line."

Skipper Simon Coleman was also in no mood to pull his punches. "We didn't play well as a team or individually - it was bitterly disappointing," he said.

"We started really well and scored a goal, which hasn't happened many times this season, but Mansfield got on top and we had no answer.

"Everyone has to look at themselves and do everything they can to put it right at Hull on Saturday when we need to go out and battle for 90 minutes."

Alvin Martin - accepts responsibility for Southend's poor performances

Picture: ANDY PALMER

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