U's unity can help survival fight says skipper Kem (From Gazette)

U's unity can help survival fight says skipper Kem

1:29pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in Sport By Jonathan Waldron

United - Colchester United skipper Kem Izzet believes there is an increased harmony within the U's squad. Picture: STEVE ARGENT (CO69249-05)

Skipper Kem Izzet believes Colchester United’s new-found togetherness can help them beat the drop.

The U’s have dropped back into the League One relegation zone, following Oldham Athletic’s win over Stevenage.

Izzet has experienced at first hand what it is like to be involved in a relegation battle.

The long-serving U’s midfielder played 39 games for Colchester when they were relegated from the Championship, in 2008.

Now the 32-year-old is part of Joe Dunne’s new-look U’s squad battling to preserve their status, in the third tier.

Izzet says he has been encouraged by increased harmony in the U’s dressing room over recent weeks, following a number of squad changes in the transfer window.

And ahead of vital back-to-back home games, the experienced campaigner strongly feels that player solidarity is essential for any squad battling the drop.

Izzet said: “The main thing you need when you’re fighting relegation is togetherness.

“You also need to work hard, cut out mistakes and to score goals and I feel we’ve done all of that recently.

“The squad is a lot closer together now and it’s a pleasure to be in the dressing room again.

“It’s one unified group and everyone is together, both in training and in meetings."

See Thursday's Gazette for more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, including Duguid's Diary.