MikeyB interviews James Burton ahead of the clash between Southend and Rovers at the Prenton Park this coming Saturday (26^th April.)  

Mikey: What is your name, age and for how long have you supported Southend United? 

James: My name’s James Burton, I’m 17, have been supporting Southend for 5 years and I live only a short distance from the ground!  

Mikey: Best moment supporting Southend? 

James: The play off final in Cardiff 2004/2005 season; beating Lincoln 2-0 in extra time, it was brilliant! 

Mikey: Surprised you didn’t include that 1-0 victory over Man Utd there!  

Mikey: Worst moment supporting Southend? 

James: Probably losing to Grimsby in the same season we reached the play-off final in 2005. After being dominant all season and then dropping from the automatic spots into the play offs on the last day was gutting.  

Mikey: Who is your all-time favourite Southend player? 

James: Tough one. Most who have been supporting Southend over the past 5 years like me would say Eastwood but I’ll go for club captain Adam Barrett.  

Mikey: Who would you say is Southend‘s “One to Watch”? 

James: Definitely Nicky Bailey, our dynamo in the middle. He is our top goal scorer of the season with 11, and can pass, tackle, attack and defend. If things aren’t going well you can count on him to give you something.  

Mikey: Do you have any youngsters to look out for? 

James: None that are likely to play in the game, but young Franck Moussa is looking to have good potential. He is a Belgium international and is 19 years of age I believe. As for the actual squad we have a fairly young squad.  

Mikey: What do you fear could go wrong this season? 

James: Losing the play offs would be regarded as going wrong!  

Mikey: Which player would you personally pay to leave the club?

James: ‘Striker’ Matt Harrold. For all his effort and bravery the guy can’t score to save his life. He’s yours for a tenner!   

Mikey: Is Steve Tilson the right man for the job? 

James: He sure is. Two Promotions, two cup finals and now another play-off, he has certainly done a fine job at the club. Some of his purchases have been sublime. Lee Barnard from Tottenham for £40,000 had scored 9 goals in 11 starts. And Nicky Bailey only cost £175,000. I would estimate he’d be worth about £750,000 now.  

Mikey: Which team do you most want to beat this season and if you have played them did you manage to beat them? 

James: Orient or Leeds. Sadly we failed to beat Leyton Orient, letting in a last minute equaliser at their place. And yes we beat Leeds at Roots Hall 1-0.  

Mikey: Most detested opposition player? 

James: Thornton of Orient! Cheating scum cost us 3 points first game of the season. 

Mikey: Any Rovers fan will also tell you that he is the most hated player by us Rovers fans, coming through our youth academy he once claimed he was going to visit his ill mother in Ireland but ended up at Sunderland’s training ground!  

Mikey: Most admired opposition player? 

James: I’ve always rated the Carlisle keeper, Westwood.  

Mikey: What are your thoughts about Simon Francis? He was previously on loan here the season before he signed for you, and I personally thought he was an excellent full-back at this level. 

James: Simon has been gradually getting better for us. He started off somewhat shakily but now is showing what a class full back he really is.  

Mikey: Where do you see Southend finishing this season? 

James: Ha well it’s a good as ever time to call, 4^th or 5^th.  

Mikey: Tranmere are out of the running for a play-off spot not but you are guaranteed one, how do you think you will do in the play-offs? 

James: I would like to think we can do well and ultimately win it; however, there as some good sides such as Forest. But we shouldn’t fear anyone, we are the leagues form side and we should be the ones being feared!  

Mikey: Finally, your prediction for today’s game? 

James: Don’t want to offend anyone but we really should thrash someone soon! Hopefully that can be in the play offs. However it’s more likely to come against either yourselves or Port Vale. I’ll go with 3-1 to Southend with us taking the early lead. All the best for next season guys. 

Mikey: Good luck in the play-offs, and thank you very much for answering these questions, it is much appreciated.

If you are an opposing fan whose team is due to face Tranmere in the near future then why not put yourself or a fellow fan forward for our fan file section?  If you are interested simply e-mail us at fanfiles@total-tranmere.co.uk 

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