Phillips targets redemption

Southend defender Mark Phillips signed a new two-year contract and immediately set his sights on going one better next term.

The 29-year-old scored eight goals in 46 games for the Shrimpers as they reached the League Two play-offs. Unfortunately for Southend, the season ended in disappointment with a 3-2 aggregate defeat by Crewe. Phillips insisted it was a good campaign despite the play-off heartache and is determined to avoid the same mistake next season. "Even though we missed out on promotion I really enjoyed last season," he told the club website. "Now this is agreed I can fully concentrate on coming back for pre-season and hopefully helping the team go one better this time."