Sammie Szmodics believes having a competitive squad has been key to Colchester United’s impressive start to the new League Two season.

The U’s go into tonight’s home clash with Crewe Alexandra unbeaten in the league so far this season, having taken five points from a possible nine following a creditable draw at Mansfield Town last weekend.

Colchester made a number of summer additions, with the likes of Harry Pell, Frank Nouble and Luke Norris all arriving to bolster their ranks – and attacker Szmodics says that is already influencing their results and performances.

Szmodics told the Daily Gazette: “I think we have a squad now.

“The subs who came on (at Mansfield) were fantastic and there’s a real work ethic.

“Everyone wants to play and wear the shirt – at the minute, the people who are wearing the shirt are playing well enough to keep it but there are also people coming off the bench, who are on the bench or aren’t even being used who are good enough to play week in, week out.

“We have that depth in the squad, as we proved at Mansfield.”

Szmodics’ dramatic stoppage-time equaliser helped Colchester preserve their unbeaten start to the new league campaign, ahead of back-to-back home games.

After hosting Crewe tonight, the U’s then entertain Northampton Town at the JobServe Community Stadium on Saturday.

“It’s massive that we’re still unbeaten,” said former Stanway School pupil Szmodics.

“We know that we have goals in our game and we’re looking so strong at the back.

“We’re looking forward to two home games now and we’re looking at nothing less than six points from them.

“We have to make our home ground a fortress and if we pick up points away from home too, we’ll be right up there.”

Szmodics, who finished last season as Colchester’s top scorer with 13 goals, has now hit the net twice for his side in the new campaign.

He added: “I just have to keep finding the net and scoring goals.”