JAKE Wright gave a brutally frank assessment of his and Oxford United’s performance as the season hit a new low with defeat to ten-man Southend United.

The skipper also defended Michael Appleton, putting the blame for the 3-2 loss on the players rather than the coaching staff.

The prospect of soul-searching appeared a long way off at half-time, when United looked on course for a morale-boosting victory.

Leading 2-1 thanks to goals from Callum O’Dowda and Sam Long, they were also a man up after Gary Deegan was dismissed for two bookable offences.

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But instead of improving their strong position, United stumbled and allowed Southend first to equalise, and then pinch a late winner.

Wright was in no mood to dress up the display afterwards.

“The performance was poor, even when we winning at half-time I think we were lucky, we’ve defended really badly,” he said.

“Individually I think I’m involved in all three goals and could do better in all three.

“I’ve just had a nightmare.”

United’s third successive defeat at home, sees them slip to within three points of the bottom two.

Wright felt criticism of Appleton was unfair, but acknowledged the side needed to halt the slide rapidly or they faced being drawn into a scrap to stay up.

He said: “I don’t think the pressure mounts on the manager.

“For me he’s picking the right teams and we’re doing things right, but if individuals go out, like myself today, and make so many mistakes it’s not the manager’s fault, is it?

“He can only put you on that pitch and when you don’t do well it’s not his fault.”

He added: “Obviously if we keep losing games we’re going to be in and around it.

“I’m confident we have enough in the team, but we are in this position, so we need to make sure we wake up early, start winning games and get out of it.”

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