SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown heaped praise on debutant midfielder Luke Amos - despite substituting the youngster at the start of the second half.

The on loan Tottenham Hotspur youngster was handed his first Shrimpers start in the centre of the park.

And Brown was delighted to see Amos get to grips with the game.

“I was so disappointed for the lad that I brought him off but we were 2-0 down and I had to make tactical changes to try and win the game which ultimately we did,” said Brown.

“But it wasn’t a reflection on his performance because I thought he played well.

“He kept the ball and it’s a bit of exposure for him.

“It’s his league debut and it’s something he will remember for the rest of his life.

“Without any shadow of doubt the lad has a career in front of him and Spurs were here to watch him play too.

“He has a fantastic attitude and he’s part of this win we’ve got, end of story.”

Amos joined the Shrimpers on loan in January and had 10 games as an unused substitute before being selected in the starting line-up against the Saddlers on Saturday.

The 20-year-old produced a tidy performance in the centre of the park but made way for Jason Demetriou in the 51st minute as Blues fought to get back in the game.