STEVE Cotterill admits he would not swap Burnley's forward foursome for anyone else.

But the Clarets manager is refusing to hype his players - or get carried away with his side's excellent start to the season - ahead of tonight's Championship clash against Southend.

Burnley host the Shrimpers on the back of blasting 13 goals in their last five league games, in which in-form strikers Andy Gray and Gifton Noel-Williams have contributed with four apiece.

While the forward duo's goal feats have stolen the headlines, widemen Steve Jones and Wade Elliott have also come in for high praise for good consistent displays on the flanks.

Cotterill explained that the attacking quartet all bring a variety of talents to the table.

"They all cause problems for different reasons," said Cotterill. "We've got some pace, trickery, strength and aerial ability.

"It is not just the front four you want that from but the whole team.

"The mix is not too bad at the moment, but nothing to get carried away with. We've achieved nothing at the moment.

"I would not have swapped the four when we got beat by Colchester because I thought I could see what they might do or might have.

"I'm not going to get on their bandwagon just because they are doing alright at the moment. I'll be on their wagon when they are not doing so well."

Elliott delivered crosses for Michael Duff and Noel-Williams to head home in Burnley's 2-0 triumph over Hull City on Saturday, a result pushing Clarets into second.

On the opposite flank, Jones tormented defenders Alton Thelwell and Danny Mills, although Cotterill insists there were patches in the game when the pair were not at their best.

Cotterill: "At times they were superb and other times they weren't.

"There's things we can always improve on. We've got to look to be better.

"I hope he (Elliott) can be better than what he is now.

"If you ask him that question, he would say the same.

"There's always improvement in any player. If you show me a player that can't improve, then I don't believe that.

"He's been part of a successful team at the moment.

"They are playing well, confident and are very hard-working.