Prosser comes up trumps at long last
SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown heaped praise on unlikely matchwinner Luke Prosser following the win against Barnsley at Roots Hall.
Prosser fired home his first goal since December 2013 to secure Southend a sixth win in seven games.
And Brown, who rejected a coaching role alongside Sam Allardyce at Sunderland in the week, was full of praise for the centre-back.
“Luke is someone who I knew could play at this level and I think he believes that now too which is making a difference,” said the 56-year-old.
“He’s a left footed centreback, he’s quick, he’s six foot three inches tall and he really does have all the attributes you need.
“He’s had to wait for a chance but he’s certainly taking it now and the goal was the icing on the cake for us.”
Prosser’s goal, which was just before the break, came after Southend midfielder Anthony Wordsworth had cancelled out Josh Scowen’s opener from the penalty spot.
But Brown felt the foul for the spot-kick took place outside the penalty box.
“It was a poor decision because, for me it was outside the area,” added the Shrimpers boss.
“He should have spoken to his linesman, because it was really his decision to make.
“But I’m just glad the lads showed the character to come back.
“We probably weren’t at our best but we’ve ground out another good win.”
Barnsley’s controversial penalty came in the 24th minute and resulted in Scowen firing home after goalkeeper Daniel Bentley had clattered into Marley Watkins.
However, the Shrimpers hit back to equalise just 12 minutes later when Myles Weston teed up Wordsworth to slam home his first goal for the club with a low, left-footed drive from 12 yards.
In reply, Barnsley’s Watkins was then brilliantly denied by Bentley before Southend bagged the winning goal right on half-time, with Prosser on target.
The centreback was picked out by a deflected header from Weston and slid the ball home at the back post to secure Southend another victory, much to the frustration of Barnsley boss Lee Johnson.
“We got sucked in to Southend trying to bully us and we allowed them to bully us too,” said Johnson.
“It was disappointing because it doesn’t matter if you’re five foot six or six foot six you have to be stronger than we were here.
“It was always going to be tough after the game we had on Tuesday at Bradford in the JPT.
“Thanks to the league for that, I’ll have to send them some flowers.
“But we still need to do more.”