WE had been warned that there may be days like this.

Colchester United’s emphasis on youth and their policy of giving young players a chance will inevitably bring downs, as well as ups.

But could their calamitous performance at MK Dons, which some fans described as the worst they have ever seen from a U’s team, have been avoided?

Most Colchester fans accept that in the years to come, they will have to be patient while the U’s fledglings establish themselves at senior level.

But it is not the club’s long-term philosophy that is seemingly being called into question by some supporters here; it is its implementation.

After watching a young Colchester side capitulate, the message was clear: they demand more balance between youth and experience in their side.

It is perhaps no coincidence that of the fresh-faced U’s back four that shipped half a dozen goals on Saturday, three were loanees aged 21 or under.

Of course, Colchester have not been helped by the long-term injury suffered by their long-serving captain, Magnus Okuonghae.

But Sean Clohessy, currently the U’s most experienced fit defender, was available and at stadiummk but was watching from the stands.

And Ben Gordon, who has played more than 100 games during his professional career, did not even make the squad and looks like leaving the club on loan.

Other established senior players, such as Marcus Bean and David Wright, have seemingly played their final game for the club having previously been a big part of the previous manager’s regime.

Tony Humes insisted last week that he was not worried by the inexperience in his squad.

Having forged a commendable reputation within the game as an academy coach, the U’s boss knows more than anyone that young players are guided by their more senior mentors, at an age where they are at their most impressionable.

But of the U’s side that started against MK Dons, only two were 25 or over.

And although Humes insists that age does not matter, the wider call for more balance between youth and experience appears to be a valid one.

Colchester’s academy graduates are undoubtedly gaining valuable experience with every single game they play in League One.

But on the evidence of their heavy defeat at stadiummk a greater equilibrium must surely be established in the long term if they are to continue to prosper in the same division, next season.