HAYDEN Mullins admits Colchester United need to give their fans something to cheer about tomorrow.

The U’s host high-flying Harrogate Town, aiming to record their first home league win of the season at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester are searching for their first home victory in five attempts in League Two this weekend – and boss Mullins says it is up to his side to raise the tempo.

Mullins said: “The fans can help but we’ve got to give them something to shout about as well.

“We’ve got to really drum up the tempo and really play on the front foot.

“We know that we need to make it better at home.

“We need to make it a place where we’re comfortable and we can really attack teams.

“We’ve done that at times, we really have.

“We lost against Northampton where we should have got a result and we were the team pushing until the end.

“It was the same in the Mansfield game and we got the late penalty.

“It was just the Salford game for me that was a real blip so let’s put that to bed, get it out of the way and if we put in a nice positive performance on Saturday, it sets us up for the next one.

“We need to address the home form but for me, it’s also about keeping the boys nice and confident and ready to go out and attack the game, in an aggressive way.”

Gazette:

Return - Colchester United skipper Tommy Smith is available again after playing for New Zealand Picture: STEVE BRADING

Colchester will have skipper Tommy Smith and Armando Dobra available again for the Harrogate game after they missed the Tranmere defeat while they were on international duty.

Smith made two substitute appearances for New Zealand, while Ipswich loanee Dobra netted for Albania under-21s.

Mullins added: “Congratulations to those guys who went away and picked up a couple of caps for their country.

“Tommy was glad to get his caps and it was a bit of a distraction for him, a nice trip out to Bahrain in nice hot weather and now he’s back with us.

“He arrived back in the country at 3pm on Wednesday.

“Armando came in this morning (Thursday) and had a big smile on his face, after scoring for his country.

“He was very happy and we’re pleased to have him back with the group, because it strengthens us.

“Dobs has been back since Tuesday."