Boss previews pre-Christmas clash...
LOOKING back at recent games, it's one defeat in five and, to be honest, whilst we haven't got the victories that we are all looking for, we have been playing well.I have a feeling that the elusive win is just around the corner and hopefully it will come on Saturday.
There are plenty of positives; I have been pleased with how the young players have been developing. George Bowerman, Will Grigg and Jamie Paterson have 17 goals between them this season and are just three of a number of players who have come through the ranks and are progressing well at first-team level.
The lads are enjoying the style of football that we have been playing and are desperate to go out and win matches. As I say, performance-wise, Scunthorpe apart, we have been okay during this winless run. We've looked organised and hard to beat, but I'd certainly like to see us keep a few more clean sheets to give us a platform to go on and get some victories under our belts.
The squad have respect for each other and work hard in training. Every game is as big as the next one. It's about us and what we do and we can't underestimate the challenge that Colchester United will present to us on Saturday.
They have good players and various threats. I like Joe Dunne; I've known him for a long time and Mark Kinsella is there too. It will be a tough game, but we go into it with belief.
At this time of year there are a lot of games and a lot of points up for grabs. Things can change pretty quickly and hopefully we can go into Christmas on the back of a win.
DEAN SMITH