SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell insists he has no grudge to bear with Plymouth Argyle boss Derek Adams.

The two bosses will go head-to-head at Roots Hall tomorrow for the first time since they were both sent off for a touchline tussle back in August.

But Powell’s main focus will be on the match this weekend and not who he will be facing in the opposition dugout.

“We’re grown football men and managers of our respective clubs,” said the Blues boss.

“It was wrong what happened and regardless of what I think and what he thinks, it was wrong.

“It shouldn’t have happened but you move on.

“We’ve just got to do our jobs and we’ll shake hands before the game and afterwards too.

“There’s no problem there because we both know what it’s like in the role.

“We know how good it can be and how lonely it can be too.

“We both understand it, all managers do and there’s an unwritten rule between managers really because we all know what the job entails.

“I just want us to win, end of story.”

Blues produced a below par performance in Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth in the Checkatrade Trophy.

And Powell is keen to see an immediate response from his side.

“The players knew exactly how I felt on Tuesday at half-time and eventually after the game as well,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“We have to look at the next game and put in a performance to show we can respond.”

Blues go into the game sitting 10th in the League One table, despite their inconsistent recent form.

But Powell still believes the Shrimpers have kicked on from last season.

“We’re 10th and this time last year we were 17th,” said the 49-year-old.

“We all feel like we should and could have done better this year but we’ve still scored more and conceded a lot less than last year.

“I look at things like that as pointers but I do feel we should have more points and hopefully we will after tomorrow.”

However, for that to happen Powell knows Blues must keep Argyle’s top scorer Freddie Ladapo quiet on his return to Roots Hall.

“Freddie had a mixed time here,” said Powell.

“We were doing quite well at the time and it was quite tough for him. But I think Freddie always needed to go somewhere he was the main man. He’s responded and we will have to try and keep him quiet.”