A top-six finish was the club's objective when the players set out on what has been a unique season but I don't think you could argue that a mid-table finish would have represented a failure.

Leeds reaching the top six was a major ambition, but it was never a foregone conclusion.

You can safely say that most clubs and managers would have looked at a deduction like ours on the first day of the season and decided a position in mid-table would have done them nicely. Many would probably have settled on finishing fifth bottom.

I would argue that no other club at this level of the league would have coped with a 15-point penalty like Leeds United have.

The team's performances and results against the odds have shown once again why people consider Leeds to be such a big club.

The supporters have also helped to drive this season with their commitment and loyalty and the adrenaline created has been staggering when you consider how demoralising the 15-point penalty ought to have been.

This is a club that means everything to me and to the former players who have worn the white shirt over the years.

We all think the world of Leeds United and the fact that we are back on a level footing and progressing in a positive direction makes me extremely happy.

I have absolute faith in Gary McAllister and his players and if a play-off spot is not secured tonight then I'm sure it will be against Gillingham next weekend.

Knowing the way Gary thinks, he will go all-out for a victory over Gillingham regardless of whether there is anything riding on that match.

Of course, we still have the outcome of arbitration to come and I'll be holding my breath as next Thursday approaches – but the crucial factor is that we're in with a shout of promotion one way or the other.

As for the play-offs themselves I don't think it matters how high up the division we finish or who we play.

You can argue that Nottingham Forest are a bigger club than Southend United but that doesn't make them more difficult opposition.

Southend have been in excellent form and a trip to Roots Hall would be very demanding. Rest assured that if and when we qualify the draw we are given will make for a tense and enthralling semi-final.

When you get to this stage the crucial factor is not who you are pitted against – it's about how much bottle you have.

That means not only coping with the pressure and the atmosphere and refusing to go into your shell, but also keeping your head in a way that allows you to perform to the best of your ability.

A few of the players in Gary's squad will be gaining their first experience of the play-offs, though that isn't a major concern of mine.