Frankie Kent has admitted changing his style in order to adapt to League One football.

The centre-half felt he needed to concentrate on his defensive responsibilities – rather than trying to be “too clever” and getting caught out higher up the pitch.

His new tactics appear to have paid off, with the 20-year-old having been a pivotal figure during the U’s recent purple patch – a run of form he and his team-mates will be looking to continue in tomorrow’s match at home to Peterborough United.

“I said to myself that I need to change how I play a bit and concentrate on my defending, rather than trying to be too clever,” said Kent.

“I’ve adjusted a bit and thankfully it’s worked in the last couple of games.

“I’m always talking to Wrighty (assistant manager David Wright) and getting advice from him, in terms of me adapting to League One football.

“I’ve probably been a bit fortunate in the past, to be able to go out and play my normal, comfortable game.

“But I feel as though I’ve come out of my comfort zone – in a good way – and become a defender first and foremost.

“I’ve got to keep doing what I know I’m good at, but add that little bit extra to my game which maybe I was lacking at the start of the season.”

Kent feels he is enjoying his best spell of form for Colchester.

He was pleased with his performances when he first broke into the team, but his recent displays, coupled with positive performances, have eclipsed even that.

“I’d say I’m enjoying my best run of form,” he said.

“It’s a good moment for me but I know I can’t get too far ahead of myself.

“It’s only been four or five games and we’ve got five to go.

“I know I’ve got to keep going and keep working hard, to do everything I can to stay in the team.

“It’s helped playing in a more experienced back-four. It’s also been a more settled back- four, after a tough year of injuries.”

From being seemingly doomed, Colchester have given themselves a glimmer of hope in their relegation fight after taking ten 10 points from a possible 12.

They are second from bottom and eight points behind fifth-from-bottom Shrewsbury. “We know we’ve got a tough run-in, with the games coming thick and fast, but obviously our aim has to be to win them all,” added Kent.

“We’re on a good run and just need to keep it going.

“Everyone’s confident we can still do it, but we know how hard the task is."

“We’ve got to go into every game and try to keep playing as we’ve been playing – without fear and with a lot of confidence.

“We’re playing like a team that can beat anyone but we’ve got to keep going, not get complacent and not rest on what we’ve done.

“Peterborough are an attacking team and we know we’ve got to do our job defensively.

“We’ve got to go into it with a good game plan and steady heads and not do anything erratic.

“We know what they’re capable of it, but we’re confident and feel we can go out there and get a result.”