As accomplished former centre-backs themselves, Tony Humes and Richard Hall must have been tearing their hair out at some of the defending on show from their team at Fleetwood Town.

But it seems the Colchester United management duo might have even more pressing issues to address, given the nature of their side’s dismal showing at Highbury Stadium.

It is rare for a manager these days to publically question the work rate of some of his own players.

So for U’s boss Humes to do so in the aftermath of their thrashing at the hands of the Cod Army said much about the way he felt about his side’s performance.

Humes and fellow coaches Hall and Ademola Bankole, along with senior duo Chris Porter and George Elokobi, were in deep discussion at pitchside long after the final Colchester supporter had trudged wearily out of the stadium.

They certainly had much to ponder, not least how to pick their side up again after such a heavy defeat.

At least they have a full week to prepare for their home game against Scunthorpe United, a match which the U’s will go into lying second from bottom in the League One table having failed to win any of their opening four league matches.

Worryingly, Colchester have managed just one goal from their last four league and cup matches and it seems unlikely that experienced forward Porter, who has been such a big miss for them over recent weeks, will return to the fray any time soon.

But it was ultimately the U’s porous defending which proved their downfall at Fleetwood, with their fragile rearguard clinically picked off by a potent home side.

George Elokobi’s first U’s appearance since his summer return to the club at least helped steady the ship and that was a glimmer of light on an otherwise disappointing day.

The powerful former Wolves defender may only have been at the heart of the Colchester defence for just over half an hour.

But in that time, he showed all of the experience and composure that have helped him forge such a successful career since leaving the U’s the first time around.

Elokobi’s team-mates must follow the example of the popular defender this week and show all of the Cameroonian’s characteristics of desire and commitment if they are to help their side bounce back from this latest setback.