SOUTHEND United kick off the 2017/18 season at home to Blackburn Rovers tomorrow with their fans confident of success in the months ahead.

In an Echosport poll which attracted more than 1,000 votes 54 per cent of fans said they expected Phil Brown's side to finish in the play-offs while 11 per cent predicted a top two slot.

Twenty nine per cent thought the Shrimpers would be between seventh and 12th while only six per cent said Southend would be in the bottom half.

Echosport also caught up with a number of fans at Meet The Blues Day to discuss their hopes for the forthcoming campaign.