 Barrett feels winning their home games should secure promotion |
Defender Adam Barrett is confident that League One leaders Southend can make a final push for automatic promotion. "We want to make sure that we get there as quickly as possible," the centre-back told BBC Sport.
"The other teams have to catch us up, so we've just got to keep plugging away. I think if we can win our remaining home games, we'll be there.
"But we've got two home games coming up against Blackpool and Gillingham, which are going to be very important for us."
The Shrimpers hold a six-point lead at the top - which would have stretched to eight points had they not conceded a late equaliser on Saturday, as they were held 1-1 at Bournemouth.
Luckily, four of their nearest challengers were taking points off each other - with Colchester and Brentford drawing 1-1 at Layer Road, while Huddersfield beat Barnsley 1-0. "You're normally pleased with a point away from home, but it was quite disappointing as we felt quite comfortable," Barrett reflected.
 |  In most leagues, if you've got consistency then you've got a chance |
"Freddy Eastwood got us a real poacher's goal - and with him and Shaun Goater up front, we've always got a chance of nicking goals. "We'd like to have got the second one and killed it off, as at 1-0 it's always in the balance and you're always liable to let one in.
"We also knew that Bournemouth are one of the strongest in this league at scoring in the last 10 minutes, and unfortunately they've nicked one."
Born in Dagenham, Barrett's career took him from Leyton Orient to Plymouth, Mansfield and Bristol Rovers before he returned to his native Essex in 2004.
The 26-year-old is now hoping to clinch back-to-back promotions with Steve Tilson's side, having starred in last season's promotion from League Two via the play-offs.
| SOUTHEND'S RUN-IN 8 April: Blackpool (h) 14 April: Gillingham (h) 17 April: Barnsley (a) 22 April: Doncaster (h) 29 April: Swansea (a) 6 May: Bristol City (h) |
He explained: "In most leagues, if you've got consistency then you've got a chance. "If you can string three, four or five wins together, and then bounce back if you lose one, you've given yourself a great chance, and that's what we've done this year.
"Even when we've got beaten, we've bounced straight back the next week and gone on another little run."
Four of Southend's six remaining games are at Roots Hall, where they have lost just twice this season.
And Saturday's opponents Bournemouth could also play a part in the title race - as they still have to welcome Huddersfield, Colchester and Brentford to Dean Court.
Barrett joked: "If we can do them a favour by winning against the teams down there like Blackpool, and they could do us a favour by beating some of the others at the top, it would be brilliant."
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