SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown insists his side should not be judged until the end of the transfer window.

The Shrimpers were held to a 1-1 draw by Bristol Rovers at Roots Hall on Saturday.

But Brown feels Blues will not be at their best until they bolster their squad.

“Things are happening in the background at the moment and I would just say to judge us when we’ve got our stock in place,” said Brown.

“We’ve got bids on the table and I can’t do anymore.

“The chairman and chief executive are doing all they can do too.

“I’ve got a little bit of hope from a Premier League manager who has called me to tell me we’re in pole position for a striker of theirs and we will be bringing people in before the end of the month.

“Are they our first choice targets? It doesn’t matter. We need to bring people in to help the lads and we will do that.

“Once that happens then by all means come after me as well.”

Blues – who also have a quartet of players on trial – are keen on bringing in a new centre-back and remain in talks with Leyton Orient in a bid to sign striker Jay Simpson.

But Brown was pleased to see the Shrimpers fight back to pick up a point against Rovers at the weekend.

“We could have lost it in the end and we had young lads go on there and grow up, especially Jack Bridge.

“We were trying for three points and it was one way traffic for 25 minutes but in the second half it could have gone either way.

“They went in front from a set piece but Adam Barrett is lying face down in the dirt when his man scores.

“I thought there was an infringement the referee has missed and the man on the post should have cleared it off the line too.

“Going 1-0 down it was doom and gloom for a few supporters and they need to stay behind the team.

“If I make wrong decisions then come after me but our substitutions actually made a big difference.”

As a result, Southend fought back to secure a share of the spoils with Simon Cox firing home a penalty eight minutes from time.

And Brown felt the spot-kick – given for handball against Ellis Harrison – was the correct decision.

“It was a harsh penalty but it doesn’t matter,” said the Blues boss.

“The lads has put his hands up to block the ball and he’s blocked it.

“Our players thought it was a definite penalty.”