COLCHESTER United skipper Connor Hall believes players and fans have reconnected since the arrival of Danny and Nicky Cowley.

The 30-year-old defender feels the U's fans are fully behind them, as they strive to move away from the League Two relegation zone.

Colchester have experienced some tough times this season not least in the final weeks of 2023, when they won just once in ten league games.

READ MORE: U's could move to sign loanees permanently in the summer

However, the appointment of the Cowleys has revitalised everyone, with the U's having lost only one of their last five matches.

Hall said: “I’d always wanted to one day be a captain of a football club.

“I got that opportunity at the start of the season and when you’re a captain and things aren’t going well, things start getting directed at you which I don’t mind – I’d rather it be at me than the other players in the team.

“But I feel like now we’ve reconnected with the fans in recent weeks, results have been quite solid, that pressure gets relieved a little bit.

“It starts to feel like a really good place to be and you feel like the supporters are behind you as well.”

Gazette:

Hall is forming a solid central defensive partnership with Riley Harbottle, who joined Colchester on loan from Hibernian in last month's transfer window.

The duo have played as a pairing for the last three U's games and Hall says he is looking forward to forming an alliance with the former Nottingham Forest youngster.

“Riley’s a really good lad," added Hall, who is set to make his 50th appearance for Colchester when they host Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

“I get on really well with him off the pitch, too.

READ MORE: Colchester game called off due to 'significant risk of injury'

“He’s done really well at previous clubs at this level and made his move to the Scottish Prem to see a step up probably; it hasn’t quite worked out for him yet and he’s come back here.

“He’s started really well, fitted in straight away and I’m looking forward to building that partnership with him.

“This is a time where I think we can really get a partnership going and hopefully, it’ll start to show in results as well and we can start climbing up the table.”