ECHOSPORT talks to Fleetwood Town supporter Ben Knapman ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Southend United at Roots Hall.

Fleetwood are currently eighth in the League One table. What have you made of the team’s start to the campaign?

“We’ve started well.

“We’ve played eight games and we’ve had three wins, four draws and one defeat.

“We’ve been unbeaten in seven and there is a real sense of belief growing under Joey Barton.

“There is something good happening this season and I’ve also been very impressed by the away form.

“It’s been brilliant and we haven’t lost on the road yet.”

You have a high profile manager in Joey Barton. He was a controversial character as a player but how has he been doing in the dugout?

“Joey is adapting well.

“He’s giving the players real belief in themselves and has got them together.

“He’s been positive with formations, playing very attacking line-ups and sometimes we’ve had four strikers starting so he’s been good so far.”

Now that Fleetwood have started well, what are the hopes looking forward for the rest of the season?

“Our hopes are always to stay up first so hopefully we can get to 50 points as soon as possible to take that off our back, then win as many as we can.

“Mid-table would be good but play-offs would be brilliant.

“Anything better than last season, when we finished 14th, would be good.”

Who would be the Fleetwood players Southend will need to keep an eye out for this weekend?

“I would say the danger-man has to be Ched Evans.

“He has five goals so far this season and is getting better as an aerial threat.

“He holds the ball up well and is a different striker to ones we’ve had recently.

“Ashley Hunter also causes problems all day long for defences and he already has nine assists.”

What’s the team news for Saturday’s game at Roots Hall?

“Striker Wes Burns is still suspended after he was sent off against Bradford earlier this month.”

What’s the predicted starting line-up?

“I would probably say 4-4-2 with Ched Evans and Paddy Madden up top and Ashley Hunter and Kyle Dempsey out wide.

“Jason Holt and Dean Marney are likely to be in the middle of the park with Coyle and Husband as full-backs.

“Bolger and Eastham will partner up at centre-back again I would’ve thought, with the ever-reliable Alex Cairns in goal.”