SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is pleased to have brought James Dunne’s desire to the Shrimpers.

The midfielder has signed a two year deal with Blues.

And Brown, who worked with the 31-year-old at Swindon Town, is pleased to have Dunne on board.

“He’s got bags of energy, he will run all day and he’s also got the quality that saw him play for Arsenal at one stage,” said Brown.

“We got on the same page at Swindon and he ran through a brick wall for me so it will be good to work with him again.

“I like his all-round attitude and his all-round desire to win which I think he’s got built in him.

“He’s a bubbly character, he will get the changing room going and even in those moments when we’re doubting each other, he will keep it going.”

Blues will be in the National League next season after suffering back to back relegations.

But Brown feels Dunne is determined to help get the club back on track.

“He believes in the project,” said Brown.

“He said it was a no brainer working with me again which I like the sound of.

“But it’s the attitude of the lad that I really liked.

“Those moments when you face despair or defeat or you don’t think there’s a way around it, Jimmy provides a platform for us to build on.”

And Brown feels Dunne will also bring in more athleticism.

“He’s got energy,” said Brown.

“What we didn’t have last year was enough energy or legs or enough players that would break through the 11 or 12 kilometre barrier.

“With the fitness regime that we’re going to put in place, I’m hoping that we’re going to be able to run over teams.

“We need to be fitter than the opposition, we need to be stronger than the opposition and we need to be better than the opposition, and not necessarily in that order.

“If we tick all those boxes before the games then I’ll be delighted and hopefully the results will follow.”