John McGreal had boldly thrown down the gauntlet to his Colchester United players prior to the visit of promotion contenders Mansfield Town.

He had urged them to prove their credentials against one of League Two’s fancied teams.

“We’ll know on Saturday come 5pm where we’re at,” said the U’s boss in the build-up to the game, intent on seeing his side prove their worth.

His team duly rose to the challenge.

Given the quality of the opposition, the U’s 2-0 win was surely one of their most impressive results and performances of the season to date.

Was it because McGreal had the rare luxury of naming an unchanged team?

It’s probably no coincidence.

The U’s boss has had to chop and change his starting line-up because of injuries and suspensions so far this season so being able to keep a winning team was a big deal.

He was even able to name key players Kurtis Guthrie and Craig Slater among the substitutes, as they continue their road back to full fitness.

Over the last few games, those players currently in front of them in the starting line-up have been producing the goods.

And even when Colchester were forced into an early change against Mansfield when left-back Kane Vincent-Young limped off with a hamstring injury, they were able to cope not only with regard to personnel but also formation.

The U’s players are showing an encouraging maturity in adapting to the situation and absorbing in-game coaching instructions.

Drey Wright’s impressive performance after moving from right wing to left wing-back as a result of Colchester’s reshuffle following Vincent-Young’s injury was a case in point.

McGreal had revealed before the game that he had received words of wisdom from his Mansfield counterpart Steve Evans, during his first season in senior management last year.

After Colchester’s impressive performances and results against the Scot’s side over the last 12 months (three games, two wins, one draw, no losses), the U’s head coach can now repay the compliment.