PAUL Tisdale is already having a positive influence on Colchester United’s squad.

That’s the view of U’s interim head coach Hayden Mullins, who says the former Exeter City boss has been ‘fantastic’ since arriving in an advisory role last week.

Tisdale, who has linked up with Colchester in the role until the end of the season, has been in the dugout for both of Mullins’ first two games in temporary charge, along with lending his support at their Florence Park training ground.

The 48-year-old, who spent 12 years as Exeter boss between 2006 and 2018, has more than 700 games under his belt as a manager.

And the ex-MK Dons and Bristol Rovers manager is already making a big impact, according to Mullins.

Mullins said: “Tis has come in and has been fantastic.

“You can imagine that with the amount of years that he’s had as a manager, it’s been brilliant for me to work alongside him and the conversations we have.

“It’s been excellent and he’s very good for the group.

“He’s a nice, calm head to have in and around the building and exactly what we need, at the moment.

“I’m sure the boys are benefiting from him being around.”

Colchester travel to play Oldham Athletic tomorrow night looking to secure some precious points, in their battle for League Two survival.

The U’s head to Boundary Park lying five points above the relegation zone, with six games remaining.

Mullins is looking for his first win as Colchester’s interim boss, having seen his side play out draws against Barrow and Bolton Wanderers.

“We’re happy with the two games and we’re looking forward to the game, on Friday,” said Mullins.

“We need to take confidence out of the two results.

“We haven’t gone to Bolton and turned up at home to Barrow and not played.

“The boys have executed what we wanted to do really, really well in both games, albeit the last part of the game on Monday and like I say, it’s positive and we’re looking to build on it.

“Barrow have had a real turn in form over the last few weeks and towards the end of the game, they threw everything at us and they had nothing to lose.

“It was coming in from all angles and we have to respect the fac that they’re not a bad side.

“They are a good side and they threw a lot at us.

“We stood up to it for large periods but it dropped to him (Tom Beadling) on the edge of the box and it’s a cool finish.

“Sometimes, you have to respect that they did a job on us in the second half and nicked a point.”