Telling tactics

IT seems as though the character Colchester United are showing away from home this season is not going unnoticed.

The U’s are unbeaten in four matches on their travels in League Two following their 1-1 draw at Tranmere Rovers, thanks to a resilient display at Prenton Park.

Colchester successfully frustrated their hosts, often playing the game at their own pace and leading to some home supporters criticising their game management and accusing them of time wasting.

“We had an idea what Colchester United’s game plan would be and we know they would try and frustrate us and slow things down,” said Tranmere boss Micky Mellon, after the draw.

With Colchester so far undefeated on the road, it seems such tactics are proving successful.

The key is now for them to follow that up with a win in their home match against Joe Dunne’s Cambridge United, next weekend.

Prosser's plight

LUKE Prosser did not look a happy bunny as he climbed off the Colchester United team coach at Prenton Park, prior to their game at Tranmere Rovers.

The U’s captain’s somewhat sombre mood was pretty understandable, given the fact that he had to miss the match due to a controversial decision to hand him a one-match ban, effectively due to a referee’s error.

Everyone makes mistakes but it seemed extremely harsh to penalise Prosser and Colchester for a blunder made by an official in a previous game after the wrong player was booked in their win at Cheltenham Town, seven days earlier.

Fortunately, the U’s produced another decent away performance to secure a well-deserved point – but they had every right to feel miffed after being robbed of the services of their captain.

The Wright stuff

WHEN Diaz Wright started for Colchester United in their game at Tranmere Rovers, he became the latest in a long line of the club’s academy players to make a league start for the club.

It was a proud moment for the young midfielder, who follows in the footsteps of his older brother Drey in representing the U’s in the Football League.

Wright is rated highly by boss John McGreal, who had no qualms about handing the youngster his first-ever league start at Prenton Park.

With Brandon Comley back from international duty this week and Tom Lapslie recovering from injury, Wright will have his work cut out to hold down his place.

But he will certainly add to McGreal’s midfield options over the coming weeks and months, given his assured performance.

Pelle goes through the pain barrier

COLCHESTER United cannot have made too many signings over recent years who have made as rapid an impact as Harry Pell.

The midfielder has well and truly hit the ground running with the U’s following his summer move from Cheltenham Town and is proving to be as important as boss John McGreal had expected.

He showed his worth to the team again at Tranmere Rovers, where he stood in as captain for the suspended Luke Prosser.

Pell took his equalising goal very well and the bravery he showed in trying to score just before that, which earned him a painful bang to the nose, was a reminder of his overall commitment to the cause.

Gillespie junior is a U's fan

COLCHESTER United’s mascot for their game at Tranmere Rovers had a familiar surname – Gillespie.

Lennon Gillespie is the son of former U’s striker Steven and was born in Colchester.

Despite his dad’s affection and allegiance to Liverpool FC, where he now works, young Lennon is a Colchester supporter and follows their fortunes every week.

Steven, who remains Colchester’s record signing, was always a favourite among the U’s supporters and it is lovely that now his son is part of that fanbase, too.