How Southend United Have Made A Late Push For The Playoffs

The National League playoff spectacle is going down to the wire. There is one match week left, and nerves are tingling at both ends of the table – the playoff scene being one that has beared adjustment all season long.

Southend United were yet to creep into the top seven this season before their relentless win on Saturday to relegation-threatened Wealdstone. Now, the Shrimpers have fate in their hands heading into the National League finale, one point clear of Gateshead – the team they travel to next Monday. Southend could finally get their chance of a Football League return, after years of decline and misfortune.

Four Years!

The Shrimpers are now closing in on their fourth season deserted in England’s fifth tier of football, following ill-fated back-to-back relegations in 2020 and 2021. For Southend, this is unheard of; the side from Essex were one of League One’s prime candidates to reach the playoffs almost a decade ago. Although times do change quickly, and for Southend they have altered considerably.

Southend-on-Sea, UK. 8th May 2021. Supporters of Southend United protest before the final league game of the season. Supporters are frustrated with the financial handling of the club which has been relegated from the Football League for the first time in its 100-year history. pic.twitter.com/Uwd6IF1Ufl

— PenBarrittPhoto (@domesticbod) May 8, 2021

Astonishingly, not once out of the four seasons have Southend reached the National League playoffs, despite their being six spaces up for grabs. The Shrimpers have missed out each year by the skin of their teeth, making their non-league experience a humbling one under Kevin Maher. Southend will just be hoping that it does not happen again; their distant trip up north to Gateshead next week will be the deciding factor, in a ‘winner-takes-all’ match-up. While the odds are in Southend’s corner, Gateshead are no pushovers – hence their league position.

Of course, Southend’s on-pitch displays have been bounded by their financial issues backstage over the last five years, causing mass disturbance for those involved. Had they not been penalised with a 10-point deduction, the Shrimpers would have finished in sixth place last campaign to have potentially sped up their promotion surge a year in advance.

Southend deducted 10 points and handed “final chance” 🔵🦐

Southend United deducted TEN points with immediate effect by National League with £275,000 debt still outstanding…

The High Court have also given them a 42-day deadline to avoid being wound up - owner Rob Martin… pic.twitter.com/3AkzYVhbPt

— The92Bible (@The92Bible) August 23, 2023

Kevin Maher's men have been on the right track this season. For the duration, Southend have been tricky team to face in the National League. They have only lost two in their last 16 matches. Although, the Shrimpers have been held back by their inevitability to concede early goals - giving them mountains to climb, resulting in many draws. Southend have tallied up 16 league draws this season, the second-most in the fifth tier, dropping them vital points throughout the season.

Gus Scott-Morriss

Gus Scott-Morriss is the name on the tip of every Southend fan’s tongue at the minute. The 27-year-old has bagged 15 goals and four assists in the National League this season - from right-back position. Scott-Morriss has juxtaposed the idea of being a defender by competing on goals with some of the league’s most prolific strikers, epitomising the uniqueness of non-league football.

Do not be deceived, the fullback still issues proof of his defensive title - helping Southend on their way to 15 clean sheets this season, and working religiously to aid the team at both ends of the pitch.

(Gus Scott-Morriss season heatmap: by SofaScore)

Gus Scott-Morriss has never before played in the EFL either. Despite not looking a yard shy from League Two – maybe League One – calibre, the 27-year-old rose through the semi-professional ranks. Growing up through Royston Town, before moving to Hemel Hempstead and then Southend, the Shrimpers’ number 2 has made over 320 senior appearances in England’s non-league system. With an opportunity to make that extra step up with Southend this season, he will be desperate to do anything he can to make it a certainty.

The Playoff Scope

Now that Altrincham have bowed out of the playoff picture following their thumping 6-1 defeat last weekend, it is between Southend and Gateshead to make the final playoff spot. With the two playing each other on Monday, it almost sets up for an additional knockout round.

As Barnet have won the league, York City and Forest Green Rovers have secured a spot in the playoff semi-finals due to their second and third positions. However, should Southend make the playoffs, they will need to get past a playoff eliminator round against any one of Rochdale, Oldham or Halifax Town before they even think about a semi-final fixture.

(National League Table)

If all results go Southend’s way on the final day of the season, they could finish as high as fifth in the National League – a staggering achievement given their belated entrance. No matter what happens, this year has held vast improvements for the Shrimpers, helping to get Roots Hall rocking again.