The start of the new millennium could be one of great promise and adventure for Colchester United boss Steve Whitton and his Layer Road warriors.

Halfway through their second Division Two campaign, Whitton and the U's have everything to play for - the manager for his very future in the game, his players to make sure Colchester United do not have to play in the Third Division.

"We can do it, I know we can," said Whitton as he prepared to launch himself into the most important four months in his football career so far.

"I want a longer go at this managerial lark," he said.

"I want to succeed in what I've started at Colchester; to have a real crack at working at it again over the summer.

"If I can't make it work at Colchester I know I won't get a chance to make it work as a manager anywhere else."

Whitton is no fool when it comes to his chosen profession. His career as a player with top teams such as West Ham, Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City have given him a great insight into the tactical side of the game and he knows exactly what makes his fellow footballers tick.

"It's all about confidence," he said.

"Confidence brings wins and wins bring confidence and with the players we have at Colchester I know we have what it takes to get ourselves clear of the bottom and into mid-table by the end of the season.

"Lomana Tresor Lua Lua is just one very exciting young prospect.

"He'll always be a big asset to this club whether he plays from the start or comes on as a sub.

"Lomana is one of the players who can keep us up. He's going to be worth a lot of money to Colchester United one day in the future, but I want him to improve with us.

"If he keeps his current ratio of scoring going to the end of the season we'll definitely stay up.

"Karl Duguid is another youngster with a great future in the game, I'm sure of that. His pace up front will always make him a very dangerous player and Dugy's enthusiasm for the game is second to none.

"He trains how he plays - with a big heart - and is capable of playing anywhere in the side from full-back, on either flank, or up front. He too is a great asset to the club."

But Whitton was quick to point out that the young Layer Road talent does not end there.

He said: "I want every young player to know they are in with a chance as long as they knuckle down and get on with the job of being good professional players.

"Young guys like Jack Wignall, KK Opara, Andy Walker and Sam Okafor have already tasted the rewards and have seen how close to the first team they are."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.