A FAMILIAR STORY

COLCHESTER United were found wanting in front of goal against Wycombe Wanderers.

Part of the U’s profligacy on Saturday was down to Chairboys keeper Scott Brown, who probably had one of the games of his life.

Nevertheless, Colchester’s failure to make more of their numerous opportunities is a worrying trend that has emerged in their recent games.

“We’re not clinical enough in the opposition’s box and that’s the tale of our season at this moment in time,” admitted U’s head coach John McGreal, after the Wycombe defeat.

Only two teams have scored more goals than Colchester in the bottom half of the table.

But their league position would be considerably higher than 20th, had they converted more of the opportunities they have created.

At least Brandon Hanlan seized his moment when it came along, on his first-ever league start.

And as McGreal said, it would be more of a concern if those opportunities were not being created in the first place.

Nevertheless, Colchester’s attacking players are not making the most of their openings and they are ultimately paying the price for that, at present.

EXPERIENCE HAS THE EDGE

SOME Colchester United fans had called on the club to sign an experienced striker in last month’s transfer window.

So the fact that Wycombe fielded not one but three senior strikers against the U’s on Saturday afternoon would probably not have gone unnoticed on them.

The combined age of Adebayo Akinfenwa (35), Nathan Tyson (35) and Craig Mackail-Smith (33) is 103.

But the two goals scored by Tyson and Mackail-Smith in each half ultimately proved the only statistic that mattered yesterday.

The U’s have some talented young players in the squad who have a bright future.

But Wycombe’s success will have added further weight to some supporters’ argument that more experience is required within the U’s squad, especially after the summer departure of the likes of Chris Porter and George Elokobi.

SURPRISE RETURN

THE contents of the teamsheet caused one or two raised eyebrows in the press room, prior to Colchester’s game with Wycombe.

Few had expected midfielder Doug Loft to be available following his recent calf injury, so his inclusion in the U’s starting line-up was something of a surprise.

It was a similar story for Frankie Kent, who had missed Colchester’s previous two games with an ankle injury and loanee Kyel Reid, who had not featured for three weeks because of a hip problem.

It was a boost for Colchester to have the trio back, even though their return was not enough in the end to help them secure victory.

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END

SEEING Colchester United lose at the Weston Homes Community Stadium is not something their supporters have been familiar with during John McGreal’s reign as head coach.

The U’s defeat against Wycombe Wanderers was their first in the league since March and only their sixth home loss in League Two, under McGreal.

Colchester have been one of the strongest forces in the country in front of their own fans, so to lose their home league unbeaten run to their old foes Wycombe was particularly galling.

Was the defeat partly down to their dreadful away form putting increased pressure on them to get results at the Community Stadium?

Only time will tell but a win at Grimsby Town tomorrow night would certainly ease the burden the U’s are putting on themselves to win their home matches.

JEEPERS KEEPERS

SCOTT Brown’s colourful kit must rank as one of the most garish to be worn by a goalkeeper at the Weston Homes Community Stadium since its opening, nine years ago.

Unsurprisingly, the Wycombe custodian came in for some good-hearted stick by the South Stand faithful as he took his place between the sticks for the second half against Colchester.

But Brown had the last laugh.

His performance for Wycombe prompted plenty of praise from his manager Gareth Ainsworth.

Had it not been for his heroics, the outcome of the game could well have been very different.