SOMETIMES I honestly think supporting Colchester United should be added to the list of 101 ways to die.

It’s painful and just when you think it can’t get any worse, they seem to find new ways to add to the misery.

After a disappointing run of results, Steve Ball was replaced by Wayne Brown in midweek and we went into the game at Forest Green Rovers hoping the so-called new manager ‘bounce’ would have some sort of positive effect and things would take a turn for the better.

However, that was not the case and, if anything, we played even worse.

The famous Blackadder comment of it rhymes with “clucking bell” sprung to mind as the referee blew for full time with the U’s on the end of what was, frankly, a spanking.

It could have been even worse, had the hosts not been reduced to ten men just before half-time.

I know Saturday’s game comes with some caveats, namely that Brown only had limited time to implement any changes or messages that he wanted to get across and that Forest Green are flying high at the top of the league.

Even so, there was nothing to cheer or write home about.

It was the same formation and the like-for-like subs had no impact on the game.

If the ‘system’ is set at 4-2-3-1 then at least play players who fit into the positions, instead of playing individuals out of place.

When we’ve failed to register a shot on goal against ten men, why wait so long to bring on the players on the bench who have actually found the net?

Chelmsford Weekly News:

U's fan Si Collinson

All these questions and more will need to be answered very quickly if there is to be anything positive to talk about between now and May.

Steve Ball had the very unlucky misfortune to get his dream job at the worse time with everything going on with Covid.

He gave his all and, with the passion he has for the club always evident, I was really hoping he would be a success.

I know he gave his all and, although he came up short, he should be kept at the club in a coaching role if possible as players both past and present have said how they have enjoyed developing under him on the training pitch.

There’s a very strong feeling running through supporters that the job of Colchester United manager/head coach is a poisoned chalice, with decisions being made from above that have great impact on the manager’s ability to carry out the role with a free reign.

While that topic could run itself into 1000s of words, one thing any manager must do, and something Wayne needs to do ASAP, is control the basics and get the fundamentals instilled back into the players, such as tracking back, picking up their men at set pieces and, most importantly, showing some effort and desire to play for the shirt.

Football fans can take a lot, but none will take lack of passion and effort from their team.

This should not be and does not get affected by the formation or method of play, but should be there no matter what.

All I can say is that if Saturday was a free hit and the lack of time with players can be used as a reason, then there must be an improvement come tonight when we take on Carlisle United at home. Up the U’s.

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