OWEN Garvan admits he did not see himself as being a captain before taking the armband at Colchester United.

But the experienced midfielder says he is relishing the responsibility of leading the U’s in their bid to avoid relegation.

Garvan took over from Chris Porter as skipper in mid-February and his leadership of the side has coincided with their improved run of form.

Colchester ended their 19-match run without a league win last month and have lost only three of the ten matches they have played with the playmaker as skipper.

Garvan said: “I never really saw myself as a captain but I’ve enjoyed it.

“Normally I’ve kept myself to myself in dressing rooms and taken a back role but as captain and being an older lad, I have to come to the fore and try to come out of my shell a bit more and try and help the younger lads through their game, as well.

“I’ve always been vocal on the pitch and quieter off the pitch.

“There are certain things that you have to change and adapt to your team-mates’ different emotions but it’s something I’ve enjoyed.

“In our last few games, it kind of feels that the pressure has been off and we’ve been playing better.

“We’re at the stage now where we have to get wins and it doesn’t matter how we get them.”

Meanwhile, Garvan believes his midfield partner Alex Gilbey has a bright future ahead of him following his impressive recent performances for Colchester.

Gilbey is out of contract in the summer and looks set to leave the U’s and move to a club in a higher division.

Garvan has experience of playing in the Premier League and the Championship with the likes of Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town and believes Gilbey has all of the traits needed to do well.

“Alex has scored a few goals recently and that’s what he’s been in the team for, to get in the box and score goals so fair play to him for that,” added Garvan, who has made more than 300 league and cup career appearances.

“He’s played a lot of games for us for a young lad and you can see that he’s got all of the attributes.

“He can get up and down the pitch, he’s good on the ball and if you add goals that’s what will get you higher up the leagues.

“I think now people are probably looking at him and saying that he’s starting to become more of the full package.

“Hopefully, he can have a good career.”