SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown will shake up his side for tonight’s Capital One Cup clash against Walsall at Roots Hall.

The Shrimpers made a successful start to their League Two season on Saturday, winning 1-0 at Accrington Stanley.

But Brown will now use tonight’s showdown with the Saddlers to look at other members of his squad.

“It’s an opportunity for squad members to play well and put me under pressure,” said the Blues boss.

“Mads Ibenfeldt will play a part and so will Adam Thompson.

“Will Atkinson, who found himself out of the team on Saturday, through no fault of his own, is also in my thinking.

“Jack Payne is another and I want to have a go at a new system as well.”

The Shrimpers could therefore be lining up in a 5-3-2 formation.

And striker Lee Barnard, who bagged the winning goal at Accrington Stanley on Saturday after coming off the bench, is also pushing for a start.

“Lee did well when he came on but one thing he needs now is a goal from open play,” said Brown.

“He had a good 25 minutes when he came on and showed his confidence was high by fighting to take the penalty so he’s pushing to start as well.”

But Blues will be in for a tough tussle against League One side Walsall.

The Saddlers finished 13th last term and Brown is expecting them to also try and pass the ball around.

“Walsall will maybe come and have a go and hopefully that will make for an open game,” said Brown.

“Cup competitions are about finances as well but that’s more for the chairman and the chief executive.

“For me it’s about having a winning mentality and hopefully we can take that one step further against better opposition now.”

And Brown is also keen for his side to improve on their display at Accrington.

“It wasn’t a great performance, it was solid,” said Brown.

“Having analysed it on the DVD, we were the better team but we weren’t as good as we were in pre-season.

“I want to build on that and the clean sheet as well but I want to be playing some decent football and I want that to start tonight.”