Southend United's Mark Phillips: Change of tactics won us game at Cheltenham Town (From Echo)

Southend United's Mark Phillips: Change of tactics won us game at Cheltenham Town

6:47pm Sunday 16th September 2012 in Sport By Chris Phillips

MARK Phillips felt a first half reorganisation led to Southend United's 3-1 triumph at Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

Blues reorganised the shape of their midfield when trailing 1-0 at Whaddon Road.

And Phillips insisted the alterations played a major part in the successful comeback.

“The gaffer made a bit of a change with how we played and it ended up changing the game,” said Phillips, who bagged Southend's third goal.

“It was a really tough game out there and we had to roll our sleeves up but we played some nice football and I think they struggled to stay with us at the end.

“Cheltenham are a good team and nearly went up last year in the play-off final.

“So we knew away from home they would come at us but if we soaked it up then we would get the win and that's what happened.”

Phillips was hugely influential in the victory too as impressed at the heart back four and also got forward to score his first goal since January.

The 30-year-old headed home a free-kick from Kevan Hurst and was delighted to see the ball hit the back of the net.

“It was really nice to notch a goal myself as the ball hasn’t seemed to come anywhere near me so far this season,” said Phillips, who bagged eight goals last term.

“It seems like Ryan Cresswell has got a magnet on him as the ball drops to him all over the park so it was nice for me to chip in as well and to help us get a great result.”

That made it four straight wins for Blues but Phillips was always confident of turning things round after starting the season with three defeats.

“I know some fans were booing but I didn't agree with them because we played well in most of the matches and I knew the potential was there,” said Phillips.

“But now we have to work even harder to keep this run going and it will be a massive test at Gillingham on Tuesday now."