SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has refutes suggestions his side will be intimidated by performing in front of a big crowd this weekend.

More than 9,000 tickets have already been sold in the home end for Sunday’s clash with Bury.

But Brown believes that can only be a good thing for the Shrimpers.

“I’ve seen it mentioned that big crowds mean we won’t win matches but I don’t subscribe to that theory at all,” said the 57-year-old.

“When I look around our changing room I see players with quality and real experience who will embrace playing in front of a bigger crowd.

“Certain results might have not gone our way in certain games but I don’t think the attendance plays a part and the bigger the crowd the better on Sunday I would say.

“We’ve actually been training at Roots Hall for most of the week so we’ve gradually been seeing the tarpaulin which separates the two groups of fans moving further and further round.

“It’s been a good indicator of how well the tickets have been selling and it’s given everyone a boost.

“With Bury still needing something to stay up I’m sure they will have a few more fans at the game as well.

“They might be bringing 400 or 500 maybe and that would make for a really good atmosphere.

“But I just hope our fans will have more to be singing about and it’s our job to make sure that happens.

“We’ve had a good week in training and everyone is very upbeat but we have to take that into the match now.”

The seventh placed Shrimpers head into their final game of the season a point behind Millwall who occupy the final play-off position.

And Brown has already made his mind up on the majority of his starting line-up.

“I would say I’ve already chosen nine of the team,” said the Blues boss.

“Ben Coker is very positive about wanting to return and if he does then it would be very harsh on John White but these are the decisions you have to make.

“We also need to have a strong central midfield due to the way Bury play but we also need to try and cope with the loss of Anthony Wordsworth and the creativity he brings to the team so there is still plenty to be thinking about.”

Sunday’s game kicks off at 12 noon.