Williams looks to experience to stay up (From Gazette)

Williams looks to experience to stay up

8:06am Tuesday 18th March 2008 in

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GERAINT Williams has consulted some of the game's most experienced managers in a bid to preserve Colchester United's Coca-Cola Championship status.

The U's boss has admitted that in his 30 years spent in football as both a player and a coach, this has been his toughest campaign yet.

While his maiden season as boss saw him lead Colchester to a fine tenth-place finish in their inaugural season in the Championship, it has been harder this time around.

The U's continue their survival quest with a home match against Hull City tonight.

And Williams said he has consulted the likes of Arthur Cox and Brian Flynn, in a bid to improve his side's fortunes.

"I've spoken to guys like that because they have a wealth of experience and they have been there before," he told the Gazette.

"Being bottom of the league is new to me - and it's not a nice experience.

"No-one is enjoying it but we're all determined to learn from it and come back.

"You learn about the character of the players, staff and yourself.

"I've learned things about myself that I didn't know and I hope that it's all invaluable for the future.

"It's easy when you're at a club that's winning to keep the ball rolling - sometimes you can take that for granted.

"In this position, you think about absolutely everything and you make sure that you do everything that you possibly can to consult with people about how to get through what is a very difficult time for everyone."

Meanwhile, Williams has praised supremo Robbie Cowling for his support this season.

Williams was given Cowling's backing in last Thursday's Gazette, despite the club's lowly league position in the Coca-Cola Championship.

"Since Robbie has been here, he's been nothing but supportive in everything we do," said Williams.

"The chairman is very ambitious and he's always been very open and fair.

"He has a long term plan for this club that we can be in the Championship rather than to interlope between the divisions.

"We want to belong as a Championship club - both on and off the field.

"That's where the new stadium and new facilities come in.

"We're looking to build a home so that Colchester United can become a proper Championship club."