Phil’s fed up and begs for fresh blood

UNDER-PRESSURE Phil Brown highlighted the challenge he faces to bring in new players after Southend crashed to a club-record eighth successive defeat.

Goals in either half from substitute striker Anton Forrester and defender Remie Streete settled a clash in which Southend rued their luck at crucial times but finished well beaten.

Brown said: “The players we have aren’t stepping up to the plate and I’ve been talking now for five or six weeks about bringing more lads in.

“My problem is that the way the window is, Premier League and Championship clubs are holding on to players and making it more difficult.

“It was oneway traffic until they scored but our naivety is gifting our opponents goals.

“We’re putting in the effort but are on the back foot and playing without real belief or confidence.”

Brown’s gamble on much-travelled striker Simon Cox to provide goals already looks uncertain. The former Republic of Ireland star niggled officials more than the Port Vale defence, although he was unlucky with a first-half header pawed away at point-blank range by Jak Alnwick.

Brown said he hopes to include Niall Ranger up front for Tuesday’s important clash with Sheffield United.

David Mooney was even closer after the break when his header was deflected on to a post and perilously close to the line by Nathan Smith.

Chants of “Phil Brown for England” from the visiting fans in the closing stages were more in irony than tribute and won’t do much for the manager’s mood.

Vale turned a negative into a positive when striker Rigino Cicilia was injured in the 12th minute. Forrester produced a sublime header from Sam Foley’s 40thminute cross to turn the tide. And it was Foley’s corner from which Streete stuck a sweet right-foot shot to clinch the points.

Vale’s foreign makeover looked more convincing as the afternoon progressed and manager Bruno Rubeiro was understandably delighted with his first win.

“I am very happy because of the supporters,” he said. “We continued to play our football against the long ball and won 90 per cent of the second balls.

“We will continue to play that way and I’d like to see this stadium full by the end of the season.

“We look very organised at the back and I’m pleased with two clean sheets already.

“But this victory is just one game and we still have 44 more to go.”