JOHN McGreal has revealed Colchester United deliberately targeted versatile players when they bolstered their squad in last month’s transfer window.

The U’s recent signings have hit the ground running with their new club, helping them to claim back-to-back wins in League Two.

Attacker Abo Eisa has scored two goals in as many games after joining on loan from Shrewsbury Town, while Ben Stevenson has impressed in central midfield after arriving on a permanent deal from Wolves.

With Newcastle United loanee Callum Roberts, who can anywhere along the front line, also pushing for a first-team start boss McGreal says the new boys have made a difference.

McGreal said: “It was a deliberate move by us to bring in players who can play in different positions.

“That’s why we were looking for certain types of player in the window.

“We didn’t want to just put them in a position and think ‘that’s what we need’.

“The squad is a smallish one and we needed to have those players who can play in a number of different players, especially the attacking boys.

“We know that Ben (Stevenson) is predominantly a midfielder but he played higher for us last year and it was a bit different for us at Northampton.

“With Abo and Callum, they can run across the top four really which gives us that extra position from the individual.

“The under-23s have backed us up brilliantly, all season.

“A lot of boys have made their debuts but as we’ve gone into the winter months, you do find it tough and you do have to try and mix things around a little bit.

“We’re into the last third of the season and we’ve been able to bring in three quality players.

“They’ve already been able to help the squad and the whole environment of the place, so long may that continue.”

Colchester turned on the style in beating Cheltenham Town 3-0 last weekend, with all three of their goals of high quality.

U’s boss McGreal admits he enjoyed watching his side, after they claimed a successive win to move up to fourth in League Two.

“We don’t get away from our beliefs and philosophies and what we try and do,” said McGreal.

“Sometimes it doesn’t always work but we’ve created a great environment at the club and youth gets an opportunity.

“When you see pace and counter-attacking and a little bit of fearless play (against Cheltenham), it must be a joy to watch – it certainly was for me.

“There were some fantastic goals and that’s what we want to do as well as continue to improve the club, which we’ve been able to do at the moment.

“But there’s still a lot of hard work ahead and there are 14 games to go – we move onto the next game.

“The games are coming week to week at the minute and we just have to look after ourselves and try to perform.”