Monday 7 May 2012 13:20, UK
Southend defender Peter Gilbert insists finishing in the League Two play-off spots has not come as a surprise to him or the club.
The Blues had a slight chance of automatic promotion last weekend but Gilbert revealed his side knew their season would be extended for quite some time. "I think we've known for a while that we were going to get end up in the play-offs and we've had a few weeks to deal with that now," he told the Echo. "Going in to the Macclesfield game we were just focusing on keeping our momentum going and staying positive and a top-three finish was only ever at the back of our minds. "We didn't even really ever speak about it and just said we wanted to make sure we won the game which we did. "We've had experience at the back with Chris Barker, Mark Phillips and me but having Neil (Harris) up field as well means he can help the lads out at that end and make us hard to break down so hopefully that can continue in to the play-offs."
