Southend United's captain, Gus Scott-Morriss, has sent a clear message: the job is far from finished. Despite clinching a National League play-off spot for the second year running, the Shrimpers are refusing to take their foot off the gas in their final three regular-season games.
The team secured their top-seven position with a commanding 2-0 victory at Aldershot Town on Tuesday, stretching their unbeaten streak to an impressive seven matches across all competitions. This momentum is exactly what the squad intends to carry into the high-stakes postseason.
Scott-Morriss, who netted his 16th goal of the season from a free-kick in that win, is a symbol of the team's relentless drive. He's just two goals shy of surpassing his total from the 2024-25 campaign—a season that ended in heartbreak with a play-off final loss to Oldham Athletic at Wembley. That painful memory is fueling the fire for this year's push.
"We showed last year that anything can happen in the play-offs, and we want to go one better this year," the 28-year-old full-back stated. "We want to go into the play-offs with the most momentum we can possibly have."
When asked if the team would pause to celebrate securing their play-off berth, his response was definitive: "We can enjoy it when we're in League Two." This single-minded focus underscores a club on a mission to reclaim its English Football League status, lost in 2021.
The resurgence under manager Kevin Maher and the COSU consortium's ownership is palpable. Beyond the league, Southend has already guaranteed a return to Wembley by reaching the FA Trophy final, and off-field progress continues with recent front-office appointments.
Adding to the positive atmosphere is the return of key players from injury, creating healthy competition within the squad. "It's always nice to look over your shoulder and see the quality that's coming back," Scott-Morriss noted, highlighting the internal drive that pushes every player to perform.
On a personal note, the captain expressed sheer delight at his scoring form, having notched 46 goals for the club since his arrival in 2022. With a target of 50 in sight, his individual ambition mirrors the collective hunger of a team determined to turn last season's disappointment into this year's triumph. The focus is razor-sharp, and the message is clear: Southend is building a snowball of momentum, and they have no intention of letting it stop rolling.