A classic 'game of two halves' Brushy was only going to push the positives after the Shrimpers found themselves two down in only 17 minutes, and though they played much better after the break still found themselves on the losing side.
Brush told the official site after the game: "It was a very good second half performance after a very poor first half. You would much rather have it that way around and we are going away from the ground satisfied with what we've got out of it. Stevenage are one of the favourites to go up from their league this year and they gave us a real work out which is what we needed."
As for the expected problems at the back in the first period Brushy continued: "We had three different faces in defence who have only had an hours training with us, so we don't have that understanding there just yet, but we have a week to work on it. In the last 30 minutes, we were on top and looked physically ready. We know that we need to improve before the start of the season and that's what we will be working on."
Gilbert: Had a good game, enough to get offered a contract?
There was certainly enough reasons to be impressed by the 90 minutes turned out by left-back trailist Peter Gilbert, who must be in with a chance of a permanent deal of some nature.
Brushy confirmed this when speaking of the former Sheffield Wednesday man to the Echo: "It's certainly something for us to ponder. His passing was of Championship quality which is what he is and he did well."
He also mentioned that the rest of the players who didn't play Friday would get a full game "at Harlow on Saturday."
No mention on the official site but the youth team have a friendly so there going to see some larger than usual under-18's joining them.
For a full Stevenage match report go here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=455408