Paul Brush believes Vitesse Arnhem gave his side another demanding work-out in their preparations for the new season.

The Dutch outfit twice took the lead, but Southend's assistant manager was not only pleased with the team's resolute comeback, but how they were able to keep the ball to play to their own style of football.

"We were playing a different style of opposition who could cause us different problems," Paul told Blues World.

"Overall I felt that we got better the longer the game went on and it was a good work-out for the team.

"Our passing improved and we constantly closed them down; it was a good game for us to be playing.

"We had the chance to work on some of the things that we talked about and denied Vitesse Arnhem enough space to gradually play our football.

"We did concede two poor goals, but we looked like we could always score ourselves and we have shown that with some well-taken goals.

"We are getting better and sharper, but there are still a few things that we need to iron out."

With just 10 days until the season begins Brush loves the way the competition for places is bringing the best out of the team and he still hopes to add to the mix by signing at least one more recruit.

He said: "Places are up for grabs here.

"The players have shown that they want to be in the starting line-up.

"Over the last couple of games they have all had a fair crack of the whip and there are going to be some hard decisions to make.

"We are still looking to make it harder by getting in one or two more players to the club because we need a big enough squad at this level.

"Last season we ran out of legs, so we need to keep the competition up."