SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is keen to put Portsmouth under even more pressure this weekend.

Just seven years after winning the FA Cup, Portsmouth find themselves 16th in the League Two table.

And Brown believes that successful history burdens Andy Awford’s side.

“That kind of history doesn’t go away and I think it’s the pressure of playing for Portsmouth that seems to be the problem for them,” said Brown.

“They’ve not really grabbed hold of League Two this season which has surprised because I really thought they would.

“But everyone who plays them knows they are taking on a giant and I think they put their best foot forward.

“We’ve certainly done that the three times we’ve played them since I’ve been here and I’m hoping we can make it four tomorrow.”

Portsmouth have also triumphed just once in their last 12 games but Brown is still expecting a tough tussle on the south coast.

And he is certain the home-side will pose problems in attack.

“They’ve brought the lad (Paul) McCallum in from West Ham who we looked at a couple of times and they also got Matt Tubbs which is one hell of a signing,” said Brown.

“For me that was a real signal of intent and it’s certainly not going to be an easy game.

“They have real quality in the final third and there will be 14,000 or 15,000 fans there too.”

Blues will be also be forced in to making at least one change to their starting line-up as Gary Deegan misses out with a one match ban after being sent off at Oxford United last weekend.

Brown revealed Michael Timlin and Jack Payne were in his thoughts to replace the Irishman and the Shrimpers chief also hopes to have both winger Kevan Hurst (hamstring) and centre-back Adam Barrett (calf) back in contention.

Cian Bolger is definitely out as he sits out the fourth and final game of his suspension after being sent off against Dagenham & Redbridge while Mads Ibenfeldt again misses out with a broken foot.