Colchester United boss, Tony Humes, will be stepping up his search for a new centre-half following Saturday’s dismal showing at Millwall.

The U’s were sunk without a trace at the Den, well beaten 4-1 to cement their tag as having the worst defensive record in the Football League.

Humes lost both centre-half Frankie Kent and left-back Matt Briggs to illness, on the morning of the match, which caused a reshuffle to the back four.

George Elokobi came in at centre-half, but endured a torrid afternoon, while Tosin Olufemi was recalled at left-back. He too struggled to keep the Lions at bay.

Added to this Tom Eastman, who has not missed a league match for more than two years, served up possibly his poorest performance in a U’s shirt, although the centre-back could still have been feeling the effects of a calf injury picked up in the previous weekend’s 3-1 home defeat to Coventry.

“My desire to strengthen the team is that much greater, absolutely,” insisted Humes, after witnessing his side’s fourth away league defeat on the bounce.

“You look at that display and we’ve got a long, hard week in which to see what we can do to bring support in, because it’s clear that it is not happening.”

Humes, though, did take his share of the responsibility for his team’s dreadful defensive record – they have conceded 41 goals in just 18 league games.

“I have to look at myself as well, with what’s going on defensively.

“It’s my responsibility to put the team out there, albeit we had two late call-offs today.

“Two defenders called off, and we have six defenders injured at the football club, but that’s the same as other teams, so I’m not making any excuses in that respect.

“It doesn’t help, but of course I look at myself.

“It’s my responsibility to put a team out there and it’s my and (assistant) Richard’s (Hall’s) responsibility to coach them.

“They do it in the week, but they don’t do it on a Saturday.

“I’m not passing the buck, and listen, it’s my responsibility, first and foremost.”

See today’s ‘East Anglian Daily Times’ newspaper for an in depth match report, reaction and pictures from Millwall