SOUTHEND United defender Adam Barrett believes the standard of opposition strikers will be the main difference in League One next season.

The Shrimpers secured promotion into the third tier of English football after a dramatic play-off final success against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.

But Barrett, who has signed a new one year deal with Blues, believes Phil Brown’s side will need to be on their toes against better quality attacks if they are to continue making progress.

“The quality of the finishing is the biggest difference,” said the 35-year-old.

“In League Two it might take a couple of opportunities for strikers to get a goal but in League One now it could be one chance and it’s a goal.

“People talk about the pace of the game but I don’t think that’s any different.

“It’s just the quality that is and teams also keep the ball a lot better. “ Barrett spent the 2013/14 season with Gillingham in League One and also won the division during his first spell with the Shrimpers back in 2006.

But he believes it has improved since then due to more good English players being forced out of the Premier League.

“I think they have better technical players in League One now because they’re filtering down from the Premier League where there has been an influx of foreign players,” said Barrett.

“It’s going to be tough but it’s going to be fantastic too and we can’t wait.”