ECHOSPORT talks to keen Fleetwood Town fan Ben Knapman ahead of tomorrow’s game with Southend United.

Fleetwood are currently 10th in the table. What have you made of the season so far?

“Our season so far has had many ups and downs and we have been so inconsistent!

“We had so many good results like a 4-0 win against Doncaster, 3-2 against Blackpool and 5-0 against Scunthorpe but then we had seven away defeats in a row! It’s been frustrating but we’ve improved from last year.”

Has this season been better or worse than you expected?

“Better for me. I expected a lower mid-table finish but we are higher mid-table in 10th/11th!

“We’ve improved a lot from last year, scoring more goals with the prolific front three in Madden, Hunter and Evans!”

This has been Joey Barton’s first season as a manager. What have you made of the job he has done?

“Joey is still learning and has a lot to learn to be a top quality manager. However, I can see improvement already!

"I like him because he gives youth a go and isn’t afraid. We’ve already seen six or seven youth products make debuts and a few of them are in the squad regularly.”

What are the hopes for the rest of the season?

“To maintain a place in the top 10. There is talk of the play-offs but it’s a miracle for me now. I think we should just try and reach a good points tally and go again next season looking to improve on it again.”

Who would you say is the dangerman?

“For me Ched Evans is a threat. Not only is he a good goalscorer but the way he can hold up a ball and chest a ball down is class.

“But Madden’s pressing is unreal and Hunter is amazing too. He’s got pace to burn!”

What’s the team news for the game?

“It will probably be the same as last week with Sheron in instead of the injured Jason Holt. It would be good to see Rydel start for the third game running and maybe Hunter will be a super-sub once again.”

Predicted line-up: Cairns, Husband, Eastham, Soutter, Coyle, Sheron, Sowerby, R Wallace, Rydel, Evans, Madden