Beware of The Beast!

Last updated : 12 September 2012 By County Ground

The experienced striker joined the Football League newcomers in the summer and got off the mark for the season in stunning style against Morecambe at the weekend.

Boss Micky Mellon Mellon told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Jon is such a big player for us.

"He takes all the bumps and bruises up there in order for the rest of us to catch up and play in good areas. That's why we worked so hard to get him in."

Fleetwood have settled well into life at a higher level, keeping clean sheets in three of their five matches, and lie fourth in the League Two table at present, due in no small part according to manager Mellon to the effect of having Joey Barton training with them during the close season.

"He just showed the standards and commitment you need to have in order to play at that level and stay at that level," Mellon told Sky Sports News.

"The training intensity went through the roof and has stayed that way since he's gone because now we expect that every day. So it's had a positive impact."