SOUTHEND United centre-back Adam Barrett is keen to carry on from where he left off last season.

The popular defender started the final 11 matches of the previous campaign as the Shrimpers secured promotion via the League Two play-offs.

And Barrett now wants to keep the form going, starting with tomorrow’s pre-season friendly at Dagenham & Redbridge.

“I felt as though I had a big impact towards the end of last season and I want to keep that going now,” said the 35-year-old.

“I feel fit, pre-season is going well and we want to make this another good year.

“These friendlies are the best way to warm up for the season but I don’t really enjoy playing in them.

“I prefer the matches where there’s that added pressure of trying to win the three points and I can’t wait for August 8 to come around.

“But to be in the best shape we possibly can for that we need games like this Dagenham one so we’ll go there and put the work in like we have been doing.”

Barrett seems likely to start against Dagenham after being on the bench for the 4-0 win at Canvey Island on Wednesday.

But he is enjoying his latest pre-season schedule, which has come just a few months after he decided to reverse his decision to retire.

“It’s been tough as you would expect but I’m enjoying it and pre-season has actually got a bit easier the older I’ve got,” said Barrett.

“The footballs are out straight away now and everything is done around sport science.

“But when I first started doing pre-season we would just be running for a week or two and there was no sign of a football anywhere!

“The lads are all in good shape though and I think our season going on longer for the play-offs helped with that.

“We trained for an extra three weeks so that kept us fit and there’s definitely still a real buzz around the place.

“Everyone is now talking about the football club around the town again and we want that to continue.”