Colchester United manager Steve Whitton firmly believes the team spirit that has seen his Layer Road squad overcome one of the most devastating starts to a new season in the club's history is the same spirit that will eventually see them to Second Division salvation in May.

Whitton said: "My biggest job on taking over from Mick Wadsworth in August was to rebuild team spirit back into the camp.

"And that was always going to be difficult after the big summer clear-out we had.

"Quite frankly it stank, but I quickly assessed it was no good crying over split milk - the only way to deal with the problem was to attack it.

"Things could so easily have been better now, but I think we have done remarkably well to be where we are and to have ended the first half of the season so well.

"But I won't be happy just to stand still. I want to take more steps forward.

"I will only consider anything equal and above last season's 52 points and seventh from bottom final placing as success.

"They are the only targets I have set and to achieve them we have got to do even better in the second half of the season."

Whitton said he tries to simulate the best of what he sees at the top level, the hard work and time spent improving defensive qualities like that of Spurs manager George Graham.

But most of all he knows the U's also need a good bit of luck from now on in if they are to stay in the Second Division.

"We must remain positive," he said " And carry on improving as we have done since our disastrous start.

"But most of all we have got to improve our home record.

"Confidence is low when you're a team near the bottom, but our away form has been good and now we've got to match it at home."

Whitton said the capability, skill and commitment is already there and with chairman Peter Heard sanctioning the return of players like Joe Dunne and the arrival of Gavin Johnson, plus talented loan players of the quality of goalkeeper John Vaughan and central defender Alan White, the future is bright.

He said: "Gavin Johnson is quality through and through and he is going to be a tremendous asset to us.

"Steve McGavin has already scored some important goals since his return and has already proved how much he wants to play for us, while Jason Dozzell has also done a great, but unfamiliar job for me so far.

"Tony Lock is another who has come back to us and become the good squad player that I knew he was and and when we get captain Richard Wilkins fit and back playing again I know we can be a force to be reckoned with.

"But the message I will be preaching to my players most of all is that they all go out there and enjoy playing their football."

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