SOUTHEND United’s caretaker boss Gary Waddock was left ruing the Shrimpers’ defensive frailties following tonight’s 4-3 defeat at Shrewsbury Town.

Blues have now conceded 24 goals in just eight games this season.

And Waddock was left frustrated by how easily the Shrews were able to hit the back of the net.

“If you concede another four it’s always going to be a problem and the goals we conceded are ridiculous because they’re so cheap,” said Waddock.

“We’ve scored three goals away from home and we’re going home without anything.

“The players kept going but if you keep on conceding goals like we do the outcome is always going to be the same.”

The Shrimpers found themselves 2-0 down before getting back into the game with Stephen McLaughlin heading home.

But Blues continued to look open at the back, enabling their hosts to run riot.

“It seemed very easy for them to go past someone and then someone else,” said Waddock.

“More often than not it ended up in the back of our net and it’s totally unacceptable.”

And the Shrimpers will now head back to the training ground in a bid to turn things around.

“We will have to do more work on the training ground from the top end of the pitch to the bottom,” said Waddock.

“If you’re marking someone then I expect someone to do their very best to make it as difficult as possible but we don’t.

“When your team-mate is beaten then come across and help him but we don’t.

“One of their goals they waltzed round four of our players with ease and that’s totally unacceptable.”