COLCHESTER United boss John McGreal is hoping to get the South Stand rocking again this weekend - by getting back to winning ways on home turf.

Having previously had plenty to cheer about at the JobServe Community Stadium this season, U's fans have had little to celebrate in their last two matches at the venue.

Colchester's 2-1 loss to Stevenage on Boxing Day was followed by a 0-0 draw with Morecambe and head coach McGreal is looking for his side to return to form at home to Notts County tomorrow.

He said: “We need that drum going again and the South Stand to go again to try and get the other areas of the ground going.

“We do rely on the South Stand, without a shadow of a doubt.

“When they get going, it’s a terrific noise.

“We weren’t able to do it for them against Stevenage but we nearly did and we should have.

“Morecambe was a slightly smaller crowd but they were still there so we’re hoping they turn out in their numbers.

“We feel that previous to the last couple of performances, we’ve given them good value at home and we’re looking to get back to a good home game."

McGreal admits tomorrow’s clash with struggling Notts County will be a test of character for his Colchester side.

The U’s head coach says his team are feeling ‘sore’, following a disappointing festive period which saw them collect just one point from a possible nine.

Colchester are hoping to respond quickly following their limp 2-0 loss at Crawley Town at New Year’s Day which saw them drop out of the top seven in League Two and McGreal said: “I think we’ve picked up 17 points from a possible 21 when we’ve lost this season and we have to look to try and bounce back again.

“It’s a test of character of individuals and also as a team and all of us – I’m not isolating the players in that.

“It’s also us as staff and it’s a case of keeping that togetherness which we’ve had and with the fans, which we’ve had all season.

“I think the players are trying every minute of the 90 but we just haven’t had the rub of the green.

“We’re now the chasers again, having found ourselves out of it (the top seven) for the first time in a number of months.

“We’re a bit sore from that and it’s not a nice feeling.

“We feel a bit hard done by of late and the only way to change that is to continue the hard work and that’s what we intend to do.”

Colchester host a Notts County side who have managed just one win in their last 14 league matches.

McGreal said: “Notts County are a huge club in our division and there’s no getting away from it.

“We went there on the first day of the season and put in a good performance to get a good draw against the pre-season title favourites.

“I’m sure Neal (Ardley) will be trying to get the results he needs just to keep his head above water and it’ll be a difficult game and a good fixture for us.

“They’re scrapping for their lives.

“This is a really tight division of football and I’ve said that from day one.

“Chesterfield who went down last season are a huge club in this division and the year before, another huge club in this division in Leyton Orient went down.

“If you don’t get things right, you can get dragged into it and we know that from the first year I took over.

“Those fine margins just go the other side and before you know it, other teams put a run together and you find yourself in and amongst it.”