Colchester United manager Geraint Williams has admitted that inexperience has contributed to his side's poor defensive record this season.
The average age of the U's defence for their game against Ipswich Town on Tuesday night was just 22.
The back four of Pat Baldwin, George Elokobi, Bela Balogh and Matthew Connolly have made just 157 league career starts in England between them, with Baldwin alone making up 116 of that tally.
Colchester have conceded 22 goals this season and Williams conceded that his defenders are still developing as players.
However, he said the fact that they are playing regularly in the Coca-Cola Championship bodes well for the U's future.
He told the Gazette: "It's a young back four and that must be a factor because they're learning their game.
"But it's good for Colchester United in the long run because we are bringing youngsters through into the team.
"Now we have to work hard together and cut out the little errors sooner rather than later.
"The lads can't work any harder on the training ground than they are and we'll tighten things up."
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