Aim for the stars!

Colchester United midfielder Craig Slater believes they should set their sights high as they prepare for their final game of 2016.

The U’s have embarked on a five-match unbeaten run in League Two where they have taken 13 points from a possible 15, conceding just once in that time.

Colchester will be looking to round off the calendar year on a high at Stevenage on New Year’s Eve – and Slater says they aspire to achieve something in the second half of the campaign.

Slater said: “There’s no reason why we can’t try and make the play-offs.

“We need to aim for the stars and keep doing what we’re doing.

“Who knows what could happen – there are still plenty of games left and if we just keep taking it one game at a time, we’ll climb our way up.

“We knew it (the Luton fixture) was a massive game and that they would be desperate to win like us.

“We all knew how big it was if we want to do anything this season, coming to places like Luton and getting three points so I think it should send out a statement.

“We’ve been playing really well and it was our fourth clean sheet in five matches, so it’s been really positive.

“I think we always knew when we had the blip that we were miles better than what we had shown.

“It was frustrating and I don’t think that anyone could put their finger on it.

“But over the last five games, confidence is building and we have a solid foundation at the back, which gives us an impetus going forward and when we’ve had chances, we’ve taken them.

“It’s all about momentum and building confidence.”

Slater scored Colchester’s winner in their 1-0 victory at Luton Town, on Boxing Day.

The 22-year-old’s sweet strike at Kenilworth Road was his third goal of the season and he wants to find the net more often, in the second half of the season.

“I’d definitely like to get more goals,” said the former Kilmarnock favourite.

“I’m playing a wee bit further forward in our new formation and I’m enjoying getting the ball forward, link with play and trying to get chances.

“Given a bit more freedom in there, I can definitely score more goals.

“I was just delighted to see it go in (against Luton), there was that many bodies in the box.

“I managed to find the bottom corner and it rounded off a great, hard-fought win for the boys.

“Both teams were probably frustrated throughout the game and it was tight but I think we deserved the win.”