SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is remaining upbeat ahead of the Shrimpers’ visit to Port Vale tomorrow.

The Shrimpers make the trip on the back of a club record run of seven successive defeats.

But just two of those have come at the start of this season and Brown believes it will take time for his new look squad to gel.

“The change of personnel is something I have to bring to people’s attention,” said Brown.

“We’ve had a 21 man turnover and we’re finding our feet, personality and DNA.

“I know that an awful lot of people will be looking into the end of last season but that’s a long way away from my mind if I’m honest.

“I need to stay upbeat as well because there’s a lot of good football being played.

“We played well for 45 minutes in the first Gillingham game and an hour in the second but it’s the strength of character I’m going to be looking at now.”

Port Vale drew at Bradford on the opening day of the League One season before being beaten by Carlisle in the League Cup.

But Brown believes Blues must get to grips with Vale’s pitch if they are to avoid a repeat of the 3-1 defeat they suffered there back in February.

“It’s one of the biggest pitches in the league there and that was a problem to us last year,” said Brown.

“Wingers are going to be important and so is pace and energy levels.

“Confidence is important too but you can only get that from performances and results which is something we need tomorrow.”

However, as Blues look to pick up their first points of the new season they will also be entering the unknown as they face a vastly changed Vale side managed by former Leeds United defender Bruno Ribeiro.

“Port Vale bring a different kind of threat to last year,” said Brown.

“They’ve brought in a lot of foreign players who, in truth, I don’t really know much about.

“We’ve done as much homework as we can and we have to get to grips with them.

Blues will again be without midfielders Anthony Wordsworth and Michael Timlin this weekend as they both miss out with hamstring problems.

But Brown hopes the duo will soon be back in action.

“Woody has had an operation now which has been a success,” said Brown.

“There was a nerve that had wrapped round the tendon.

“That has now been clear and fingers crossed in two or three weeks he will be back training along with Tims.

However, striker Nile Ranger is pushing to be involved, while David Mooney is expected to figure against Vale despite a slight back problem.