Rob Newman is hoping to celebrate his first year as Southend United manager with three precious Roots Hall points against Third Division leaders Hartlepool tonight.

Victory over the Monkeyhangers would push Blues six places up the League table into second spot and an automatic promotion berth.

And Newman wants to mark his 12 month anniversary in style by sending the table-topping north-east outfit tumbling.

"A win over Hartlepool this evening would push our season on another gear and speak volumes for our progress over the last year," he said.

"I know the last few days have been disappointing for the fans, losing 1-0 at Swansea in the League, before crashing out of the LDV Vans Trophy 6-1 at Swindon.

"But this is a massive game and hopefully we will have a big noisy support behind us at Roots Hall tonight.

"You can't have a bigger incentive to win a game than beating the League leaders on your own pitch, with the added bonus of going second in the League and breathing right down their necks.

And Newman picked out former Southend midfielder Mark Tinkler as the man Blues would need to keep in check.

"I played with Tinks during his time here and he is a match winner of the highest quality," added the Shrimper chief.

Newman said his players were desperate to erase the painful memory of last season's 5-1 humiliation at Hartlepool's Victoria Park. "That match will feature heavily in my team talk before the game," he said.

Newman has promised to make changes this evening and will bring defenders Stephen Broad and Neil Jenkins, plus skipper Kevin Maher back into the team.

The trio, who were rested at Swindon, could be joined in the squad by strikers Tes Bramble and Mark Rawle, who have both been training this week following hamstring problems. Full-back Mark Beard and midfielder Ian Selley should also start.

Published Friday October 25, 2002