Colchester United head coach John McGreal admits the early months of his time as a Football League manager have proved to be a big learning curve.

But the U’s boss has vowed to deal with the challenges he faces, as he bids to get his side back to winning ways in League Two.

McGreal enjoyed an impressive opening few weeks in charge of Colchester, having been promoted from his role as the club’s under-21 to succeed Kevin Keen last May.

The former Ipswich Town and Burnley defender was nominated for the League Two Manager of the Month award for August.

But results have not been so encouraging over recent weeks and the injury-hit U’s have gone seven league matches without a victory, dropping to 15th in the table.

However, McGreal says he will deal head on with the different tests he encounters, as he bids to get his side back on track.

McGreal told the Daily Gazette: “I’ve been in positions like this before as a player but not as a manager.

“The stat is showing but we just have to move forward as a group.

“They’re a terrific bunch, they’ll regroup and we’ll look to go forward again.

“It would be great to have a midweek game now but we haven’t so we’ll work hard in training and move on.

“We’re a new team and we’ve got tons of injuries which we don’t moan about – we just get on with it.

“It’s a great learning curve for me as a manager but whatever gets thrown at us, we just take it on the chin and we try and be positive and move forward as one collective.

“The confidence is there but it’s just about getting that win and once we get that, that bit of belief will stand us in good stead.”

McGreal says he is pleased with the way Kane Vincent-Young has adapted to his responsibility in a more advanced role for Colchester, over the last two games.

The former Spurs youngster has been predominantly utilised as a full-back over recent years but has been used in a right-sided role by the U’s in their recent games against Morecambe and Doncaster Rovers.

“I’ve known Kane for a number of years now and he’s someone who just wants to play football,” said McGreal.

“It’s one of those decisions when you can put him in anywhere and he’ll do a job for you.

“He was a little bit of a right-winger at Tottenham in his earlier days so he’s played in that position before and in both games he’s played there, he’s been excellent.”

Colchester are next in action on Saturday when they travel to play league leaders Plymouth Argyle.