KURTIS Guthrie believes Colchester United have sent out an early statement to their rivals that they mean business in League Two this season.

The U’s have made an impressive start to life in the fourth tier, securing seven points out of a possible nine and recording back-to-back wins against Grimsby Town and Cambridge United.

Colchester lie second in the table, as they bid to bounce back from their relegation last season.

And ahead of their trip to play Portsmouth this weekend, Guthrie says their early-season form has been encouraging.

Guthrie told the Daily Gazette: “I think we’ve made a statement in the division.

“A lot of teams probably looked at us and thought that we’re a young team and we can get pushed around.

“But we’ve shown against two very strong opponents that we can stand up to them.

“I don’t like to assess anything until after the first ten games but I think that we’ve started really strongly.

“We’ve definitely got the personnel to push on and we’ve got loads of team spirit and loads of young and confident men, so I think we’ve got a very good chance.

“It’s still early days but it’s good to build a bit of momentum and it just gives us all a bit more confidence and a bit more belief.

“Hopefully we’ll keep getting the three points and I think it’s important to make our home a fortress.

“We have to make sure that no-one comes to our place and beats us and we want to get the word out.

“We did that against Cambridge and we scored three in the first half against Grimsby and then saw the game out very professionally.

“We want to go and play and put on a show for the fans, so we can get as many people in the stadium as possible.

“We’re here to go up and we want to challenge for that title and at the moment, I think we’re showing that.”

Guthrie bagged his first goal in Colchester colours when he netted their second goal in their 3-2 midweek triumph over Grimsby.

The 23-year-old, who scored 11 times for Forest Green Rovers in the National League last season, says he is hoping it is the first of many.

“It was great to get my first goal for Colchester and hopefully there’ll be many more to come,” he said.

“I came here wanting to push myself and hopefully I’ve done that so far – I’m enjoying it.”

Guthrie has played the bulk of his career so far as a forward but has been deployed in a central midfield role by Colchester head coach John McGreal, in their last two games.

He added: “The gaffer has put faith in me to play in that role and wherever he asks me to play, I’ll give 100 per cent for the team.

“I’m relishing my role and I’m just trying to do what I can for the team.”