Colchester United boss Matty Etherington on AFC Wimbledon

The U’s head into the match at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on the back of a poor run that has seen them lose six of their last seven games, in League Two.

Colchester go into their final game of 2023 aiming for a win to pull away from the relegation zone and boss Etherington is confident they can return to form.

Etherington said: “I don’t feel like we’re that far away, I genuinely believe that.

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“But the proof will be in the pudding when it comes to the matchday.

“It’s fine margins and maybe the little bit of luck that we got in my first bit is tipping the other way lately but that’s life.

"You’ve just got to keep working and keep believing in what you’re doing and stick together as a group, which they are.

“They’re a really good group to work with and I’ve been really impressed with them.

“We’re positive we can turn this bad form around and kick on.

“The discussions we’ve had with the players aren’t desperation discussions.

“I always open the floor up to players to give us ideas, because they’re the ones out on the pitch and give us their thought processes on certain decision making.

“The discussions have been really positive.”

Colchester will tonight be aiming to cut out the defensive mistakes that have cost them dearly this season.

The U's conceded in the 89th minute from a set piece to lose at MK Dons at Boxing Day, having defended well for the vast majority of the match.

Etherington said: “You can advise and guide the players into what you think as coaching staff is the right thing to do.

“Ultimately, it’s down to their decision making.

“We have a younger group but it’s not always the younger players responsible for these mistakes.

“The collective age of the group is one of the youngest in the league; these things will happen as a consequence of that.

“I believe we can stamp it out and get rid of it but it takes time.

“The younger ones need a lot more guidance in terms of managing expectations, emotions – they need help along the way definitely.

“It’s a difficult time right now; it’s been a difficult time throughout the season for the players.

“They need help and that’s what we give them.

Etherington will come up against his former Spurs team-mate Johnnie Jackson tonight.

Dons boss Jackson, who enjoyed two productive spells as a player with Colchester, has guided the Dons to a position just outside the League Two play-off places.

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“Johnnie was a younger player when I first joined Spurs,” said Etherington.

“I’ve kept in contact with him a little bit over the years through mutual friends etc and he’s someone I know well.

“He struggled a little bit when he first went in at Wimbledon but they’ve invested quite heavily and they’re doing OK, this season.

“We’ve watched them a number of times now.

“They had a disappointing result on Boxing Day (against Sutton) but before that, their recent form has been decent and they have clear threats in their team, Al-Hamadi being one of them.

“There will be a threat there from us; it’s just making sure that we’re nice and resolute defensively.”