Unity is key to Colchester United’s chances of avoiding relegation, according to former club stalwart Karl Duguid.

Duguid, who is seventh in the club’s all-time appearance list, experienced the joy and pain of promotion and relegation with the U’s as a player.

And he was also part of Joe Dunne’s coaching team that helped Colchester secure their League One safety, last season.

Duguid. who played 475 games for the U’s, is confident that his former club can secure a eighth successive season in the third tier of English football.

But the U’s 2006 promotion-winner feels they need to win both of their vital forthcoming games against Crawley Town and Yeovil Town to beat the drop.

Duguid said: “I think Colchester can do it but these two games are massive and I think they’re going to need to win both of them to get out of it.

“They’re playing teams around them and beating them will really put more pressure on those sides and give them a great chance.

“There will be hustle and bustle in those games and I’m sure both teams will be nervous.

“But they have to play with a freedom and a lot of the players at the football club have been in this situation before.

“You have to throw everything into it - you have to dig deep and give it your all.

“If you do that and you still lose the game, you can hold your head up and say you gave it everything.

“But usually if you work hard, the quality will come through.

“They need everyone pulling together in the squad.

“I know it’s a bit of a cliche but that’s what we did the previous seasons when we stayed up.

“Everyone needs to stick together and get behind them, as the fans always do - if you get behind them, the young boys will come out of it well.”

Duguid believes the experience Colchester’s young players have gained this season will stand them in good stead for the future.

The likes of Sammie Szmodics, Alex Gilbey and Tom Lapslie have all progressed from the club’s academy to feature prominently for Tony Humes’ side.

“There are a lot of young boys playing but they will become better players for going through these times,” added Duguid, who has just re-signed for Thurlow Nunn League side Stanway Rovers.

“There are good footballers and it’s a difficult time for them at the moment when you’re down there.

“But I remember the feeling after we stayed up at Carlisle United and it was a massive weight lifted off our shoulders.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, including Sam Walker's exclusive weekly column, see Thursday's Daily Gazette.