PHIL Brown believes his Southend United side head into tomorrow’s clash with Blackpool having rediscovered their ‘winning mentality’.

Blues have triumphed in their last two games.

And Brown feels that will make a big difference in the build-up to Saturday’s showdown at Roots Hall.

“It will be a tough game but we’ve got that winning mentality back, which is good to see,” said Brown.

“We won at Fleetwood and then followed that up with the most horrible 1-0 win I’ve ever had to see off AFC Wimbledon.

"But it’s two wins in a row now and that has lifted the group in the build-up to the Blackpool game.”

Blues will be looking to make it three wins in a row by seeing off the Seasiders, who gave Brown his first job in coaching.

The 58-year-old went from a player to working alongside Sam Allardyce on the touchline with the Tangerines back in 1996.

But his love for the club will make little difference this weekend.

“Blackpool is a lovely football club but it’s not mine at the moment so I’m only focusing on our team and making sure we get another three points,” said Brown.

“I remember my time there very well and recall doing my first interview as a 36-year-old coach telling everyone I was going to be the England manager one day.

“It was a good grounding for me and a very good start. I learnt a lot about football there and I was glad to see them get promotion last season. The club has had its trials and tribulations over the years but they’re doing well again now and this is going to be a tough game because they will definitely be coming here to play.”

But Brown is not the only former Blackpool man in Blues’ camp this weekend as Nile Ranger will also be facing his old side.

Ranger has scored once in five outings so far this season following his return to Roots Hall from prison.

Yet Brown believes the best is yet to come from the striker.

“Nile’s getting better and he’s working harder,” said the Blues boss.

“He’s coming to the party more for other players but there’s still a long way to go.

“Parts of his game need polishing and some of that is hard work, running the channels and creating opportunities for others, which we’ll need again tomorrow.

“But we beat a former Premier League team in Blackburn on the opening day and now we want to beat another one.”