Sharps spoke to todays Advertiser and hit back at the claims that the team were lacking in effort to win the game.
He said: “The lack of effort is an easy thing to focus on, but everyone tries. Everyone runs around and tries their hardest but the emotion and the aggression has to be channelled in the right way.
“We just couldn't get a foothold and were second best all over the pitch. Southend probably had the best of the first half and we still couldn't get going after that.
“I feel every defeat but you do feel more responsible as captain. You are trying to gee the lads up even when you're 3- 0 down and it's hard.
“Fans will criticise and I can take it on the chin now. When you win you get accolades and when you get beaten you take criticism.
“We want to fill the stadium every week but matches like that obviously won't bring people back,” he added.