COLCHESTER United skipper David Fox says he and his team-mates must stick together and scrap their way to safety.

The U’s League One survival hopes suffered another blow on Tuesday night, when they lost 4-1 at Sheffield United.

Sammie Szmodics’ goal proved scant consolation and the team are now four points from safety.

But Fox says the players have to work together to put things right.

“We’re in a tough place but we’ve got to scrap our way out of it,” said the midfielder.

“A lot of the boys had a say in the dressing room afterwards, which is a good thing.

“Sometimes it’s healthy to point things out.

“You don’t want to get on anyone’s back, but people have to be aware of their jobs.

“If someone’s got a job to do at a set-piece they’ve got to do it.

“That applies to every single one of us.

“We’re not going to come out and publicly criticise each other. We’re in this together – make no bones about that.

“Individually we need to do our jobs a lot better but we really need to stick together, to put in performances the fans can be proud of.”

Fox admitted his side were guilty of “schoolboy” defending, including conceding one counter-attack goal from their own corner.

“We went in at half-time and wondered how on earth we were 2-0 down,” he said.

“You’re scratching your head wondering why.

“We dominated but then to concede two from set-pieces – one from their free-kick and one from our own corner – was schoolboy stuff.

“We’ve got to rectify that, and fast.

“It’s not happening for us at either end.

“We’ve been pretty solid away from home, but that wasn’t acceptable.

“We gifted them goals and huffed and puffed, without ever really threatening to get a result.”

Fox feels it is too easy to suggest the club’s young squad is the reason for their problems.

“I think that’s an excuse,” he said.

“It’s not about young or old players and doesn’t matter if you’re 19 or 31.

“Everyone’s got a job to do and it’s about 11 players.”