Southend United boss Rob Newman played down the angry reaction of substituted midfielder Stuart Thurgood during Saturday's 1-0 Roots Hall victory over Mansfield Town.

The 20-year-old seemed reluctant to shake hands with his replacement, winger Scott Forbes, as he left the field on the hour mark and was ordered to sit down in the dug-out by Blues' assistant manager David Crown.

"Stuart wasn't happy, but I don't want people to be happy at being substituted," Newman said.

"But when they do come off they shake the hand of their team mate who is taking their place.

"Stuart said he did shake Forbesy's hand, but he needs to remember there are players much better than him who have been substituted around the world and that's the end of it.

"The reason I took Stuart off was because I thought he'd had a dodgy ten minutes and we needed a left footer in the side.

"But then I'm tearing my hair out over Forbesy because he did exactly the opposite of what I wanted from him.

"However, the crowd were calling for Forbes and I decided to put him on. But he has had an injury ravaged season and is still short of fitness at this present time."

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Published Tuesday January 15, 2002