League Two play-off preview

By Andrew McKenzie

League Two review

Yeovil boss Gary Johnson hopes that Southend can win the play-offs and join them in League One next season.

The Shrimpers were edged out of automatic promotion on the final day of the season by Swansea.

Johnson told BBC Sport: "I wish Steve Tilson well because he has got a side who try and play football. They are the ones that I want to see go through.

"They have been very unlucky. We beat them in their penultimate game and, in effect, put paid to their campaign."

Johnson added: "Our game against them I billed as a winner-takes-all and we managed to win it 1-0 in the 83rd minute.

"It was a massive win for us and a poor result for them and, in effect, it left them out with the washing for the last week of the season."

Southend led the league going into their LDV Vans final against Wrexham at the Millennium Stadium in April.

But defeat in Cardiff was followed by four successive losses and a draw at Grimsby last weekend was not enough to earn them promotion.

In contrast, their play-off opponents Northampton only sneaked into seventh place on goal difference and Johnson feels that could give them an advantage.

He added: "They are playing against an in-form team in Northampton. They always come late and fast and they sneaked themselves a spot.

"They are going into the play-offs in a happy mood and the others are going in a bit down - but that is the beauty of management and it is up to a manager to rally his troops.

"I have been saying for six or seven weeks that the play-offs are a great achievement and telling my players it's a great occasion - and they would love it if we went up through the play-offs.

"That was all in anticipation that we may be in them. The boys didn't like me talking like that but I had to make sure we had some positive feelings about the play-offs."

Johnson is a firm favourite of the end-of-season lottery, having enjoyed success in the play-offs during his time at Cambridge back in 1990.

"I'm a big fan of the play-offs," he said. "I was involved in the first play-off final at Wembley when we played Chesterfield. We won 1-0, Dion Dublin scored the goal and it was a fantastic occasion.

"Although I'm happy to be automatically promoted, if you could guarantee promotion via the play-offs, that would be the way to do it."

SOUTHEND (4th)

Promotion odds: 2-1
Key man: Freddy Eastwood

Johnson's verdict: They're a good football team and I'd like to see them do well because they've not been lucky at the Millennium Stadium in the last couple of years.

If they get through to the play-off final they'll want to try and break their jinx.

But they face a difficult game against Northampton because they are also a strong set-up and Southend might have their work cut out.

Play-off record: No previous play-off experience.

NORTHAMPTON (7th)

Promotion odds: 5-2
Key man: Josh Low

Johnson's verdict: They are a workmanlike side and with Josh Low now fit he can be a dangerous player.

I'm sure he's a big-game player and he scored two in the last game of the season so he looks like he is coming back to form.

They are a strong side and I think they are going to be strong coming through these play-offs.

Play-off record:

2003-2004 (Division Three): Northampton 0-2 Mansfield; Mansfield 1-3 Northampton. Mansfield won 5-4 on penalties.

1997-1998 (Division Two): Bristol Rovers 3-1 Northampton; Northampton 3-0 Bristol Rovers; Grimsby 1-0 Northampton.

1996-1997 (Division Three): Cardiff 0-1 Northampton; Northampton 3-2 Cardiff; Northampton 1-0 Swansea.

MACCLESFIELD (5th)

Promotion odds: 11-4
Key man: Matthew Tipton

Johnson's verdict: Macclesfield are another very good outfit who will be difficult to beat.

They have got a good two up front in Matthew Tipton and Jon Parkin and they played well against us twice in the league.

They beat us 2-1 at Huish Park and then turned us over 3-1 at their place so we know how dangerous they can be.

Play-off record: No previous play-off experience.

LINCOLN (6th)

Promotion odds: 3-1
Key man: Simon Yeo

Johnson's verdict: Lincoln boss Keith Alexander has got his gameplan - they play a little bit of football as well as getting the ball up to their front men early.

They are dangerous - as we know, having played them in the last game of the season.

They have eight or nine players over 6ft 2in so you have to compete with them, that's for sure.

You have to make sure your game is on the ground otherwise if you play it in the air they will have the advantage.

Play-off record:

2003-04 (Division Three): Lincoln 1-2 Huddersfield; Huddersfield 2-2 Lincoln.

2002-03 (Division Three): Lincoln 5-3 Scunthorpe; Scunthorpe 0-1 Lincoln; Bournemouth 5-2 Lincoln.