SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown moved Cherries loanee Tyler Cordner into midfield against Leyton Orient on Saturday - after taking advice from the player himself.

Cordner, who started the match at centre-back, scored Blues' first goal in their 2-1 League Two win over the O's.

But he ended the contest in the middle of the park after forcing boss Brown to change his original plan.

“I’ve got to take my hat off to a young lad who changed my mind when it came down to that decision,” said Brown.

“Tyler came across to the touchline and said ‘gaffer I can play midfield.’

“I had no idea and I think that’s absolutely brilliant.

“I was going to put John (White) in there but in he went to see the game out.

“It was absolutely superb.”

The victory kept alive the Shrimpers’ slight hopes of avoiding relegation from the English Football League for the first time.

And Brown – who took the team out to speak with supporters protesting against chairman Ron Martin before the game – was delighted with the character on show.

“There is a lot of support for this football club and there were a lot of people outside that ground today who care for the club,” said Brown.

“I took the team out there to let the fans know we’re still fighting and wearing the badge with pride.

“We wanted to show them we were going to do that and I think we did.

“If those fans watched that performance they have to say they saw there’s a lot of people who care inside the club as well.

“That was on show from minute one and we’ve got a chance so we’re still fighting.”

Cherries midfielder Kyle Taylor also played 90 minutes for the Blues.