Chris Beardsley looks ahead to Sunday's play-off first leg...
Stevenage’s season now boils down to two, hopefully three games and Chris Beardsley says him and his teammates “can’t wait” for Sunday’s play-off game against Southend.
“These are the games you want to be involved in, we have had the chance to extend our season and play in this big game on Sunday, the lads can’t wait.
“It is a play-off game. It is a little bit like cup football but we are going to make sure we are at our best. That is what we have got to concentrate on. We want to keep on improving individually and as a team. As the weeks go on you build relationships on the pitch and hopefully the lads here are learning that with little tweaks here and there, we will become a better team.
“The lads just want to play the next game. As a footballer you always want to play the next game, it is always about playing the next 90 minutes. Training is your job and you have got to do your prep work but as a footballer you can’t beat playing games in front of the fans, especially in a game like this.”
Are preparations any different to normal?
“Maybe ever so slightly because you know you are going to play two games against the same team. We mainly concentrate on the first game though because that is the next one.
“Nothing out of the ordinary though, it is another game of football; 90 minutes long, eleven against eleven and we will do our prep on them and get ourselves right. We are looking forward to it.”
The squad is arguably in the best shape it has been in all season with a number of lads getting back to fitness right on time. Beardo says the competition for a shirt is fierce.
“It is good, we have got some experienced lads back out on the training pitch and I think it is a good sign.
"A few of them got minutes under their belt on Saturday which was good to see and from past experiences, you never know who is going to be the hero in these play-off games. It could be anyone of 24 so it is a good position for the squad to be in.”
Tickets for the game are on general sale and available to buy online, over the phone or in-store. All the details here.