SOUTHEND United winger Harry Bunn grew up supporting Joey Barton from the stands - but that will not stop him trying to ruin the former midfielder’s weekend.

Bunn came through the ranks at Manchester City and would regularly watch Barton in action for the club’s first team during his youth.

However, the controversial former midfielder has now moved into management and brings Fleetwood Town to Roots Hall tomorrow for a match Bunn is desperate to win.

“It’s been frustrating for us but if Fleetwood are anything like their manager then they will be up and at us to make it difficult for us,” said Bunn.

“I’m a City fan and I watched him quite a lot.

“I also played against him when he was at Burnley.

“He was a fierce competitor who loved a tackle and was a really good player.

“But we know we need to go out there and put things right.”

Last time out the Shrimpers were beaten 2-0 at Shrewsbury Town after producing a disappointing display.

But Bunn feels Blues could still have taken something from the game.

“We definitely had our fair share of the chances in the first half,” said the on loan Bury winger.

“On another day we could quite easily have scored two or three goals but we know it was quite a poor performance and that we’re capable of much more.”

The setback at Shrewsbury made it three League defeats in succession for the Shrimpers.

But Bunn is still hopeful Blues can quickly turn things around.

“We played Peterborough, who are top of the League and should definitely have beaten them,” said the 25-year-old.

“I don’t think we’ve been playing badly and we’ve been in control of most of the matches at times.

“We just need to be more clinical in both boxes and we want that to start against Fleetwood.”

Blues have been beaten in three of their four League games at Roots Hall so far this term and suffered just four losses at home throughout the whole of last season.

The Shrimpers will again be without the suspended Mark Oxley and Michael Kightly this weekend as the duo complete their three match bans for the red cards received against Charlton Athletic earlier this month.

Harry Lennon (fractured toe), Sam Barratt (knee), Rob Kiernan (knees) and Luke Hyam (ankle) are also still out of action for Blues.