We have drawn far too many games – that is the simple fact.

That was Colchester United assistant manager Joe Dunne’s honest assessment of the U’s season ahead of their game against Sheffield Wednesday which finished as.....a draw.

So why have Colchester shared the spoils so many times this season?

The U’s 1-1 draw with the Owls was their 19th of the campaign and their eighth in their last ten games.

Indeed, John Ward’s side have shared the spoils in front of their home fans more times than any other team in League One and only Scunthorpe United have drawn more matches overall.

Of those more recent stalemates, several have been against sides battling for promotion.

Colchester have not only held Wednesday but also Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town and Stevenage, over recent weeks.

As Owls boss Dave Jones commented after his side became the latest team to share the spoils with the U’s at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, Colchester are a tough side to beat.

Ward’s side are generally disciplined, organised and hard-working and last week’s languid display at Bury was an exception to the rule.

Of their last eight draws, the U’s have surrendered a lead on four separate occasions and at times, have lacked the cutting edge shown by the clinical sides at the top of the division.

But they have also shown good battling qualities, recovering to hold the likes of Sheffield United and Hartlepool United, over recent weeks.

Some U’s supporters have argued that their team might be a little more adventurous in the final stages of matches which are finely balanced.

But Ward’s positive substitution against Wednesday in introducing striker Kayode Odejayi for midfielder Kem Izzet for the final 15 minutes or so provided evidence of a manager intent on winning a game, rather than drawing it.

With three games to go, the U’s boss and his assistant Joe Dunne will soon sit down and analyse the U’s season in depth.

While they will want their side’s resilience and spirit to remain strong, they will also need to ensure that Colchester acquire a more ruthless streak to turn more draws into wins next season if they are to improve on their showing in this campaign.