DANNY Cowley admits Colchester United are still light in some areas as the big kick-off looms ever closer.
The U’s were without the likes of Ellis Iandolo, Jack Payne and new signing Dominic Gape in their 2-2 friendly draw against Peterborough United, while Lyle Taylor is yet to sign a new deal with the club.
Colchester begin the new League Two campaign at home to Tranmere Rovers next Saturday and boss Cowley says they are looking to find solutions to the challenges in front of them.
READ MORE: Dom Gape will be good addition for U's says Cowley
Cowley told cu-fc.com: “It’s not easy for us at the moment, because we’re a small squad.
“We’re obviously light in the full-back areas and probably at centre-half as well.
“And of course, we haven’t quite got a link player at the moment, in the ten because Jack Payne’s not available to us.
“We’re still hopeful that we might be able to bring Lyle back to the club.
“These players are so important to us and the way that we want to play, particularly when we have pace and athleticism around them.
2/3 pic.twitter.com/JsqeNwk4EK
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) July 26, 2025
“It hasn’t been easy, because we just haven’t quite got that profile of player.
“This is the challenge and we’re trying to find the solutions.”
Colchester shared the spoils with League One side Peterborough in an entertaining encounter, at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Sam Hughes and Declan Frith gave Posh a two-goal advantage but goals from Jaden Williams and Samson Tovide ensured a draw for the U’s.
“My overriding emotion is frustration, because we get the equaliser and it’s all us,” added Cowley.
🗞️ Match Report
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) July 26, 2025
A spirited fightback saw the U’s come from two down to draw 2-2 with League One opposition Peterborough United at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Read the full match report below. ⬇️#ColU | #WeAreUnited
“We’re in the ascendency – we’re in the game, we’re running hard and we’re getting turnover after turnover and we’re dominating the ball, in the attacking half.
“We have to be killers there, we have to be clinical, we have to get value for our good play and I didn’t think we did that and that’s what I told them at the end.
“I don’t like drawing – I like winning, my life is so much better when we win and I expect our teams to win.
READ MORE: Scott McGleish has great memories of U's days
“We were disappointed with the first goal, the set piece goal in particular because it’s really unlike us.
“We had the best record in the league from set pieces last year – I think from 400 corners and wide free-kicks, we only conceded two goals but we’ve conceded two in pre-season - we need to look at that, for sure.
“When you do concede a goal, it often changes the momentum of the game and we probably have to manage it better, so we don’t concede the second goal.
Danny Cowley reflects on a spirited fightback at home as the U’s came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Peterborough United.
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) July 25, 2025
Watch the full interview now on our YouTube channel below.#ColU | #WeAreUnited
“I think we should score and then they go straight up the other end and score the second goal.
“That was hard for us to take but then of course, in that moment, you know you’re going to learn a lot about the group and we showed the fortitude that I’d expect, to be honest.
“We do well to get a foothold back in the game with Jaden’s goal.”
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