MATTY Etherington feels his Colchester United side are in a ‘positive place’ ahead of their home clash with in-form Barrow this afternoon.

The U’s will be looking to follow up their midweek EFL Trophy win over League One side Peterborough United with another victory against a Barrow side who are currently residing in the play-off places and are unbeaten in nine league games.

Etherington acknowledges that it will be a difficult test for but the Colchester head coach is backing his side to produce the goods.

Etherington said: “There’s been tests already and the way that this league is this year, with the money that’s been spent at some of the clubs, there’s going to be some really tough games and this is another one.

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“Barrow are a different team to the likes of Stockport and Mansfield and Notts County but it’s still a really tough test.

“Barrow are a really good side.

“They’re well organised defensively and if you look at their numbers this season, they’re very good out of possession.

“They don’t concede a lot, don’t concede many chances and carry a threat up front, with the likes of Dom Telford.

Gazette:

“That’s why they’re near the top of the league, so we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a tough game.

“Barrow are definitely punching above their weight and the manager, Pete Wild, has done a tremendous job there, so full credit to him.

“They’re a tough proposition for any team – if you look back at their results this season, they’re not giving many goals away and they’ve already beaten some good sides.

“But we’ll be going into it with a bit of confidence after (beating Peterborough) on Tuesday and a relatively good performance against a very good Stockport team, last weekend, so the boys are in a positive place.

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“With what we’ve got in the squad, I do expect us to cause some problems but we need to make sure that we’re nice and resolute as well.

“I like where we’re at as a team and I like the character they’ve shown, in the last seven games and we’ll definitely give them a game.”

Colchester will be without midfielder Jay Mingi for the Barrow game due to injury with skipper Connor Hall, Ellis Iandolo, Owura Edwards, Nico Lawrence, John Akinde, Al-Amin Kazeem and Mauro Bandeira also still sidelined.