FRANKIE Kent feels the current mood in the Colchester United squad is the best he has experienced in his time at the club.

The U’s are flying high in League Two after a fine start to the season which has seen them lose one of their opening nine matches and establish themselves as top scorers in the division.

John McGreal’s fourth-placed side lie just three points off the automatic promotion places and centre-back Kent, who has played more than a century of first-team games since making his Colchester debut back in May 2014, reckons this is the best team spirit he has ever felt.

Kent told the Daily Gazette: “The atmosphere’s brilliant - it’s probably been the best that I’ve been involved in since I’ve been here.

“Everyone buzzes off each other and we know what our standards are and we want to keep to them.

“We’re in good spirits and we’ll keep trying to do what we want to do.

“This league is tough and you have to be ready for a fight every game.

“I think that’s what we’ve been doing and we’ve only lost once, in the first load of games so hopefully we can carry that on.

“We’ve got two home games in a row now and want to keep up our good home form, going into the game against Bury on Saturday.”

Colchester have hit the net 20 times in the league this season and defender Kent says that makes a big difference, at the other end of the pitch.

“It’s brilliant to see the goals going in at the other end,” said the 22-year-old.

“It takes a bit of pressure off us, given how clinical we’ve been this season so far.

“To go away from home and score three goals is excellent.

“We’re doing well and we’re creating chances and the main important thing is that we’re taking them, so hopefully that will continue.”

Kent has been an ever-present in the league for Colchester so far, this season.

The former U’s academy player has played his part in the club’s fine defensive form, which has seen them concede just eight league goals in total.

He added: “I’ve been happy with my own form and touch wood, it stays the same.

“I thought that I could have done a bit better as an individual (at Oldham) and there were a few little mistakes.

“But I’m happy and I just want it to keep going.”