NOT a disastrous week for the U’s but certainly a disappointing one.

Tough to be knocked out of two cup competitions in the space of a few days and pretty rubbish to pick up some new injuries along the way.

Also for me, two uninspiring games of football in that the people of Accrington failed to embrace the magic of the FA Cup and as for the EFL Trophy, less than 500 Cambridge fans registered an interest.

Is the love of cup football waning? Certainly the much-maligned Checkatrade muddle, even with cheap prices, still sees fans voting with their feet and staying away.

On the plus side, it was great to see so many U’s fans coming out to support the team this week.

Not that the lack of home atmosphere and fans had anything to do with the results. The U’s deserved a draw and an FA Cup replay.

It was a pretty even game which ultimately came down to which deflected shot went in and which did not.

Accrington are pretty good with barely a weak point. They closed the U’s down really well and it was probably one of the hardest games we have played so far this season.

It was made even harder by using up two substitutions so early on. Poor Tom Eastman - one does hope that his luck has got to change soon.

The U’s weren’t at their best at Cambridge. Basic mistakes crept into the games of one or two and going forward we were not at the races.

“New” faces had the chance to shine and I was hoping for so much more from Collins and Mandron, who in my opinion is nowhere near a Nouble or fit Norris.

I want him to be but I just don’t see it. The goals we gave away were poor and it took a fantastic penalty save from Dillon to spare us from an even worse result.

The U’s can now embrace that old cliché of being able to concentrate on the league.

They will do so though with a couple of major worries.

The goals have dried up a bit and whilst it is noticeable that opposition teams are giving us much more respect these days and putting more men behind the ball, we have to find a way to counter that, especially without our leading scorer.

Injuries are the other worry with too many for comfort either missing for Newport tomorrow or highly doubtful.

John McGreal will be juggling his troops and for me, this will be a good test of whether the U’s have what it takes this season.

Many fans have loved the new feeling at the U’s - the belief and desire to win games and succeed.

With the chips down and a shuffled pack, can they continue to prove just how strong they are by overcoming this hurdle? Let’s hope so.

Good luck tomorrow U’s and a safe journey to all of the fans heading to Wales.

Jon Burns, Colchester United Supporters Association chairman