Boss looks ahead to the final game of the season...
IT'S going to be a tough game for us and it will be interesting to see how it pans out. We are determined to end the season on a winning note; we are competitive, professional people who want to win every game and finish as high as we can.We've been up there all season, that is why it has been so disappointing that our challenge has fallen away in recent weeks. There is a lot of frustration with our recent results, but we have had some positive training sessions this week and we had a good chat immediately after last weekend's game at Stevenage.
No disrespect to Stevenage, but they didn't deserve to beat us. The fact that we lost the game was more down to us and individual errors.
The focus now is on making amends on Saturday and focussing on getting the right performance and result, with everyone doing their job.
As I say, it will be a tough challenge. Barring a mathematical miracle, Colchester have secured their League One status and don't forget that they beat a promoted side last weekend as we were losing to a relegated side.
I have every faith in my players' ability to go out there and get the result that we all crave. With the exception of Dean Holden, we have a fully fit squad to choose from.
We have been given a timely boost this week with the news that Romaine Sawyers has signed a new deal until the summer of 2016.
He has showed an awful lot of promise this season in what is his first full campaign in senior football. He will continue to get better and has an awful lot of potential to work with.
He handles the ball well, brings others into play, can see a pass and has scored goals too. I am really pleased that he has committed his future to us in this way.
We want to protect our better players, and Romaine falls into that category.
I will be sitting down and talking to the out of contract players next week. I have been judging the players all season, so I know enough about them now. Decisions aren't made in the final few weeks of the season.
Finally, I would like to thank my family for the tremendous support that they have given me throughout the season. I would also like to thank the hard-working backroom staff, the players, who have been a pleasure to work with, and, of course, the supporters who have given us excellent backing through the past nine months.
We will be doing all that we can to end what has been another positive season of progress on a winning note.
DEAN SMITH