COLCHESTER United boss Ben Garner admits he must strike a careful balance between trying to win football matches and changing their style of play.

The U’s lie five points above the League Two relegation zone with nine games remaining, following their 2-2 draw at leaders Leyton Orient, last weekend.

Garner is attempting to stamp his own mark on the team, introducing a more attacking, possession-based game.

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However, the U’s boss is also wary of introducing too much, too soon and is focusing on short-term priorities, as he bids to lift the team away from relegation danger.

Garner said: “It’s challenging in terms of trying to change a style of play and bringing new principles in, so we have to do that carefully and we have to do it in a way where we have to win games and pick up results.

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“We’re well aware of that and I think we also have to appreciate what the players are good at.

“I’m not going to ask them to do things that they can’t do or they’re not comfortable doing, so it’s trying to find that balance.

“We want to start moving forwards and working towards what we want; we don’t want to waste any time here but at the same time, I don’t want to be reckless with that.

“We need to find that balance, in the short term.

“There’s certain parts of the game that can take a bit more time.

“It’s concentrating on certain aspects that I think are most important in the short term and then working towards some of the other aspects, over a longer period of time.”

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Colchester ended a four-match losing sequence with a spirited comeback draw at Leyton Orient, last weekend.

Late goals from Noah Chilvers and Connor Hall secured a deserved point for the U’s at Brisbane Road, after goals from George Moncur and Ruel Sotirou had put the O’s in charge.

“I think every day we’re learning,” added Garner, who is now preparing his side for their home clash with Tranmere Rovers, this weekend.

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“We’re seeing things and getting to know the players more and more.

“I’m having conversations with individual players and getting to know them better on a personal level, which helps.

“We assess training every day and watch it back and have a good look.

“We learnt a lot from Saturday’s game and we’ve learnt a lot from this week, so that’s going to be a continual process moving forwards.

“The more time we have together, the better we should become and the closer we should become as a group.”