SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has explained why the Roots Hall pitch was not in tip top condition for tonight’s friendly with Brighton & Hove Albion.

The surface was noticeably long for the 3-0 defeat against the Seagulls.

But Brown said the pitch was not cut to protect it for the League One opener with Blackburn Rovers in 10 days’ time.

“The players will complain and rightly so because it’s too long but we’re trying to protect it,” explained Brown.

“There were clumps of grass coming up left, right and centre but I’m hoping it will hold out during the course of the season.

“It needs to be an inch shorter and it won’t be that length against Blackburn.

“We want to play some football and both teams tried to do that here.

“But it’s pre-season and we’re trying to protect the pitch.”