U’S ARE ON THE UP

MOMENTUM is a word frequently uttered in football; sometimes over-used.

But when Colchester United head coach John McGreal chose it to describe his side’s current upturn in form, it somehow felt appropriate.

The U’s impressive 2-0 win over Mansfield Town made it seven points from a possible nine in League Two.

They recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since the end of last season and with key players like Kurtis Guthrie and Craig Slater now on their way back, things are certainly looking up for Colchester after a testing start to the season.

MURRAY’S MOTORING ON

THE analogy of Sean Murray’s goals being like London buses might be an obvious one but the midfielder’s strikes have certainly played a big part in Colchester United’s back-to-back wins.

Prior to the U’s 1-0 win at Yeovil Town last weekend, the former Watford youngster had not found the net for more than a year and never for his present club.

Now Murray, who celebrates his 24th birthday on Tuesday, has two goals in as many games.

He is on the goal trail and will probably be kicking himself he didn’t have a hat-trick against Mansfield Town, after missing two decent chances late on.

Nevertheless, his scoring streak is pleasing, as is his all-round form for Colchester.

THE PERFECT BLEND

JOHN McGreal has acknowledged for a number of weeks the need for his side to feature more experience, if they are to climb the League Two table.

So the fact that Colchester United’s recent impressive points haul has coincided with the return of the likes of Doug Loft and Kyel Reid to the starting line-up is not a coincidence.

Loft was outstanding in the U’s 2-0 win over Mansfield and at the age of 30, brings to the side a wealth of experience, much of it in League Two.

U’s boss McGreal also acknowledged after the Mansfield game that in the likes of Sam Walker and Sean Murray, he had other players with games under their belt in his starting line-up.

With an average age of 23.4, Colchester have the youngest side in the division so keeping the likes of Loft and Reid fit in the coming weeks is vital.

TALKING TACTICS

THE manner in which Colchester United dealt with the loss of left-back Kane Vincent-Young to a hamstring injury in the opening quarter of their match against Mansfield Town was impressive.

Their flexibility in dealing with the setback and adjusting so well in difficult circumstances was encouraging.

Tom Eastman slotted in effortlessly at centre-back and Drey Wright shone as a left wing-back, as the U’s switched seamlessly from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 formation.

Within 14 minutes of making the changes they were 2-0 up, a lead they protected until the final whistle.

Along with his players, McGreal deserves credit for his lateral thinking and for once again having enough confidence in his players to switch systems at a crucial time in the game.

PLENTY TO SMILE ABOUT

THE beaming smile Mikael Mandron sported as he bounced off the Weston Homes Community Stadium pitch on Saturday night said much about the quality of his performance against Mansfield Town.

It has not been plain sailing for the lofty forward since his summer move to Colchester United from Wigan Athletic.

In replacing last season’s captain and last season’s top goalscorer Chris Porter, he has big boots to fill.

But although he has not always had the rewards he has desired in his first two months at the U’s, one thing that cannot be questioned is Mandron’s work-rate.

He fully deserved his fine headed goal against Mansfield and his all-round display was impressive.