COLCHESTER United boss Hayden Mullins insists there’s no need to panic after back-to-back defeats.

The U’s have lost their last two games in League Two and are without a win in their last four league matches, without scoring.

However, Mullins is confident things will improve for his side - and has urged them to learn and move on from their successive setbacks.

Mullins said: “It’s a long season and there’ll be loads of ups and downs.

“It’s about not panicking; it’s about taking defeats, learning from them and moving on.

“I really think we’ve moved on from last Saturday (against Salford) because that performance (against Tranmere) was far, far better.

“I was honest after the Salford game saying that we got nothing that we deserved.

"But I was really happy with the way the boys’ performed against Tranmere, their shape, the way we pressed at times.

“It was just some little moments of quality that we know we need to be better at.

“But if we keep working like that and they give me that most weeks, I’ll be very happy.”

Gazette:

Thanks - U's duo Samson Tovide and Sylvester Jasper applaud the travelling fans following their defeat at Tranmere Rovers, last Friday Picture: RICHARD BLAXALL

Four of Colchester’s next five games are at the JobServe Community Stadium, starting with Saturday's clash with Harrogate Town.

The U’s results on their travels have so far been superior to their home form, with their defeat at Tranmere Rovers their first away league loss of the campaign.

Mullins said: “It (Tranmere) was the first time that we’ve lost on our travels, which is testament to the boys.

“It’s tough to keep coming to places like Tranmere and winning games.

“We have to turn our home games and our home stadium into a bit of a fortress and we know that.

“The boys are all working towards that and it’s something that we’re definitely looking at.

“But the encouraging thing is that we can go away from home and we know that we’re solid.

“And if we do get our home form right, then we’ll be very happy.”

Colchester have managed only seven goals from their opening ten league games, with only Oldham having scored fewer in League Two, to date.

However, boss Mullins is adamant the goals will come.

Mullins added: “The group we’ve got at the moment is a really good group.

“I’m really happy with the group; we’re an honest group who work hard.

“The harder they work, the luckier they get and that will be in front of goal as well.

“The boys put out a lot of effort working and pressing and getting around the pitch so when we do get in an area of the pitch, sometimes you are a little bit behind it or there’s a couple of lads joining in.

“It’s about getting your head up, finding that right pass and it will come.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on the players, because I’m happy with what they gave me (against Tranmere).”