Still doesn’t believe Brown speculation will affect Shrimpers

Brown, who picked up the division’s manager of the month award today, has been heavily linked with the vacant job at his former club Bolton Wanderers recently.

But when asked if that would have any bearing on the Southend players, Still said: “No, I don’t think so.

“Some people might like the manager, some might not like the manager. Some manager’s might like all the players, some might not like any of them, that’s just part of the job.

“I don’t see that as unsettling, particularly the way the game is now, manager’s come and go.”

On the test that Southend, who sit fourth in the table, will offer, Still added: “It’s a club that’s not far from me, so I know the club well and know the players well.

“Southend are always a decent team, always a team that’s in there competing in the play-offs.

“We know they’re going to be a tough opponent, they’ve got some experience in the team, got legs in the team, experience in the management team, so it’s tough.

“But I never try to get to drawn into other teams because they’re all tough.”

When asked he think would stand out for the visitors too, Still added: “I like Kevan Hurst, he’s a good player there.

“(Luke) Prosser at the back is a decent player, I like him.

“I know he’s been out the team, but Barry Corr has always done very, very well either when he starts or when he comes on.

“I think they’re another group who are a good team with decent individuals. I wouldn’t say they’ve got unbelievable individuals, but I do like Kevan Hurst.

“I saw him as a young boy at Sheffield United, playing in a game at Hampton & Richmond, in what would be a reserve team game.

“I was in Scotland, it was a pre-season game and I flew back to watch the game, not to watch Kevan Hurst, but to watch someone else.

“I went away very impressed with Kevan Hurst, very impressed. He’s gone on from there and ended up at Southend for the last few years and done very well there.”