Southend United's Sean Clohessy: Teams will start to fear us (From Echo)

Southend United's Sean Clohessy: Teams will start to fear us

9:37pm Sunday 10th March 2013 in Sport By Chris Phillips

SEAN Clohessy believes rival teams will be fearful of Southend United following their impressive 2-1 triumph at Port Vale on Saturday.

The stand in skipper fired Blues ahead from the penalty spot at Vale Park to help his side breathe life back in to their push for the play offs.

And, as Southend look to overhaul the five point gap and work their way back in to the top seven, Clohessy feels sides will not relish playing against them.

“Things are looking good again after this result and I don't think teams will want to play against us now,” said the right back.

“We still have a game in hand in four or five of the sides above us and if we can win that and the home games we have coming up at Roots Hall then we're right back in it.

“We also have important players like Marc Laird and Gavin Tomlin ready to come back in so we're feeling good, especially after the first half performance against Port Vale where we really showed what we can do.”

Blues dominated the opening 45 minutes against the second placed Valiants and fully deserved their 2-0 lead at the break.

Clohessy sent Southend on their way with an assured spot kick.

And he enjoyed being given the responsibility from 12 yards.

“I enjoy taking penalties and have always done so in the shoot outs we've had so it was nice to take one in an actual game,” said the 26-year-old.

“Britt (Assombalonga) wanted to take it and was moaning that he couldn't but I was never going to let him have it.

“I was confident and I think you have to be with taking penalties.

“You need to pick your sport and hit it with the pace then if the keeper pulls off a good save that's fair play to him.

“Missing a penalty isn't the end of the world but you have to be positive and I was certainly happy to see mine go in.”

Clohessy later set Assombalonga up for Blues' second goal.

But, after the break, the right back also had to impress defensively as Port Vale began to work their way back in to the game.

“We had to dig in and with the number of big boys Port Vale brought on we had to sit back a little bit,” said Clohessy.

“It was disappointing to give a goal away and not get a clean sheet but we did well to win and now we need to go and build on it.”