COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal insists his 'clinical' players deserve all the credit for their prolific start to the season.

The U's have hit 17 goals in their opening eight league games and are currently the leading scorers in League Two.

Only League One high-fliers Peterborough United have hit the net more times than Colchester so far, in English football's top four divisions.

Nine different players have netted for the U's this season and boss McGreal says their fine form in front of goal is down to his side.

McGreal said: “It’s pleasing but the thing is that you get a reputation for that and it’s tougher at times to open up defences.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work on that but credit to the boys – they go out and get themselves in those positions and we’ve been able to be clinical.

“That’s the best thing I can say for the team.

“There will be dry patches throughout the season and it’s through those dry patches that we have to try to continue to score goals.

“With the points tally it’s been a good start and it’s also been a good start with the number of goalscorers we’ve had.

“There’s been different types of goal and they’ve come from different areas of the pitch, so long may it continue."

McGreal was pleased to see forward Luke Norris play his part in Colchester's 3-0 triumph over Cambridge United, last weekend.

Norris missed much of pre-season recovering from shoulder surgery while at Swindon Town at the end of last season and was then troubled by a groin problem.

But the former Gillingham striker has started the U's last three matches and provided two assists against Cambridge.

“Luke’s getting himself fitter because we knew when he came here, he wasn’t as fit as we’d have liked.

“I think the game time has helped and he played 80-odd minutes (against Cambridge).

“We need now a little bit more from him but that link play when it goes into him was great and he got two assists."