By James Browning

Colchester United striker Mikael Mandron’s confidence is sky high, according to the man himself.

Affectionately known as Mika, the French-born forward has played a pivotal part for the U’s this season, after joining the club from Wigan Athletic last summer.

Mandron made his United debut against Accrington Stanley on the opening day of the current season, and is in good form as he prepares to face them again tomorrow afternoon.

The towering striker scored the winning goal against Stevenage last week and assisted Ben Stevenson’s winner against Forest Green Rovers on Monday, as the U’s made it three wins out of three.

His ten goals so far this season is his best career tally within the Football League, only bettered by his 15-goal season with Eastleigh in the National League.

Speaking about his impressive season, Mandron said: “It feels good, it feels great, but I don’t really reflect on it too much.

“I just keep working, keep getting more goals, keep playing well – I always want to get more, you know, but it definitely feels good.”

The Frenchman has scored just three less goals than Sammie Szmodics (13) this season, but insists there is no competition between the pair of them to finish the campaign as the club’s top scorer.

He said: “We both work really well in training and we work really well on the pitch in the game, together.

“It’s about the team really, it’s about scoring for the team.

“Obviously, he’ll have his own targets and I have mine but I don’t feel there’s any competition there.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game against Accrington, Mandron said he didn’t feel under pressur by the fact that Stanley have the best defensive record in the league this season.

He said: “Personally I never look at things like that.

“It doesn’t drive me and it doesn’t scare me so I don’t really look at it.

“It’s one of them where on the day, anything could happen.

“Accrington could have the best defensive record, but we could still go and score goals.” Including various loan spells, Mandron is now at his seventh club in Colchester United.

At the age of just 23, he has played in the Premier League, the Championship and the National League, as well as League Two.

He feels that he is in a good place though, with the U’s.

He added: “Obviously, I’ve been at different clubs and at different clubs I’ve been in different situations but here it’s definitely the best.

“It’s definitely a way better situation to be pushing for the play-offs, pushing forwards, than being in a situation where you’re down the bottom and trying to fight for your life.

“It’s definitely something way more positive and it’s better to play in this kind of environment.”

Mandron is somewhat of a lucky charm for the U’s - they have won all but one of the nine games he has scored in.

The exception there, is the 1-1 draw with Stevenage back in August,when the striker scored the equaliser.