Phil Brown urges Southend United players to 'retain promotion DNA'

Southend United boss Phil Brown has urged his players to stick with the style of football that got them promoted last season.

The Shrimpers have scored just one goal in their opening three games of the League One campaign.

Brown is confident that the goals will soon arrive, but believes that his summer recruits must bide their time before getting into full flow.

"With Sam Allardyce at Bolton a lot of top players came, but Sam said sit on the bench and watch first," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"Maybe, just maybe those we've brought in, the likes of Noel Hunt, David Mooney, Anthony Wordsworth, Joe Pigott, they just need to sit and watch the work-rate and mentality of the group.

"When it's right we're difficult to play against and they're the quality at the other end of the pitch. We just need everyone's mentality collectively, so our DNA isn't lost with promotion."

Southend, who currently occupy 20th place in the table, return to action on Saturday when they play host to Swindon Town.