BLUES boss Phil Brown is focusing on his own side’s strengths and not those of Mansfield Town ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Field Mill.

The Shrimpers head in to the game having not triumphed at the end of September.

And Brown is desperate to end the bad run of results.

“We’ve done our homework on Mansfield so we pretty much know their strengths and weaknesses but it’s not about the opposition, it’s about us,” said Brown.

“I’ve witnessed a number of games of late where teams have played their football, none more so than Shrewsbury against Chelsea on Tuesday night.

“Micky Mellon just decided to do what he does and for me that’s what we need to do.

“We need to focus on our strengths and whatever weaknesses we have we will try and hide.

Of late, it’s just about trying to get over the winning line and having the confidence to do that.

“But I still believe in the team and that we’re just one win away from a run and hopefully we can get the first one at the weekend.”

Brown also heads in to the game having been backed by chairman Ron Martin in Echosport earlier this week.

And the Blues boss also confirmed he was close to committing his future to the club and would be holding more talks with Martin next week.

“It would be nice to go in to the final round of contract talks with a win under my belt, I might get an extra nought on the end,” laughed Brown.

“It’s close to being done and we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to get it right.

“Hopefully I can tie my future up here for the next two or three years. “ Brown also confirmed that defender Mads Ibenfeldt will be out of action for another eight weeks with a broken foot.