SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown insists he went for quality not quantity on a quiet transfer deadline day for the Shrimpers.

Blues signed centre-back Ryan Inniss on loan from Crystal Palace but had been hoping to bolster their squad elsewhere before the window shut late on Wednesday evening.

But Brown was only keen on bringing players to the club who he felt would improve their situation.

“I wanted to bring in a striker, we all know that, but I only want to bring players in who will improve us.

“Players of a lesser quality became available but I didn’t want to weaken us, I wanted to strengthen us.

“Numbers of players don’t mean anything to me, it’s about improvement.

“You don’t just bring anyone in, you bring quality in.

“We had opportunities to bring players in at the front end of the pitch like Sylvan Ebanks-Blake for instance but I didn’t think he would improve our front-line."

The lack of signings frustrated the Southend supporters who were quick to vent their fury on social media.

But Brown was adamant he had done everything he could to make more signings.

"I empathise with the supporters who want to see four or five players come in but does doing that win you a game of football? Not necessarily," said Brown.

"We have unbelievable competition at this level and the three clubs who came down from the Championship have tremendous budgets."

But it was also the advice of coaches and agents which stopped players heading to the Shrimpers.

"Lots of it was to do with finances and lots was to do with advice of agents, under 21 coaches and academy directors," said Brown.

"It wasn’t the advice of the manager or chairman which I found quite hard to understand.

"Lots of people out there are controlling these young players and their livelihoods and I don’t think they’re making the right decisions but I have to respect them."

Blues are still able to sign players currently without a club. But Brown remains unsure if that could prove to be successful for the Shrimpers.

"There are people out there who we can still sign who aren’t with a football club. But why aren’t they with a football club?," he added.