COLCHESTER United interim head coach Hayden Mullins says they are aiming to capitalise on their home advantage ahead of two crucial games at the JobServe Community Stadium.

The U’s host Walsall at 5.30pm today and follow that up with a vital Essex derby clash with fellow strugglers Southend United, on Tuesday night.

Seven of Colchester’s eight league wins this season have come on home soil.

And despite the continued absence of fans from the venue, boss Mullins insists playing at the Community Stadium can work to their advantage, as they aim to secure their League Two status.

Mullins said: “The away form for us this season sticks out like a sore thumb and our home form especially earlier on in the season was the mainstay in getting us a large number of our points.

“I think it’s a positive for us that the next two games are at home which is fantastic and it’s one that we’re looking to capitalise on.

“We need to bottle up the attitude and desire the players showed in the second half at Oldham in getting back in the game and roll it out, on Saturday and Tuesday and for the rest of the games as well.

“That’s what we’ll be trying to do – we’ll be trying to get the boys into a positive frame of mind.

“We have to go into all five games looking to win them.

“The fans will obviously look at it and make their own mind up, which is fine.

“But I’ve been in the game long enough to know that it’s never that simple or cut and dry.

“We have to look after ourselves – we know that.

“If we do what we want to do really well, then we will do.”

Colchester will know how their relegation rivals have fared today by the time they kick off against Walsall.

The U’s, who are third from bottom, sit four points above the relegation zone, with five games remaining.

Southend, who lie a place below them, travel to play play-off hopefuls Exeter City and bottom side Grimsby Town entertain Bolton Wanderers – with both games kicking off at 12.30pm.

“We keep that away from them as much as we can and we don’t want to focus on what other teams are doing,” said Mullins.

“We need to get our heads right on what we want to do, on the day.

“People are going to have one eye on it but we’ll prepare the players right and make sure that their heads are fully focused on the game.”

Colchester today face a Walsall side who have won their last two games and are unbeaten in their last six matches under new head coach, Brian Dutton.

Mullins added: “Walsall have done really well.

“I went to their game last week against Forest Green and they were very much in the game, for long periods.

“They sat in their shape and looked to counter and I feel they’ll probably do the same when they come to us.

“They were a threat on the counter attack and their six points in their last two games has changed it massively.

“It’ll be a good game and a good test for us.”