Banter with Burns with Colchester United Supporters Association chairman Jon Burns

IT'S time for the U’s to consolidate their place in the top seven by defeating Swindon Town tomorrow.

The games in hand that a few teams around us had up their sleeves have diminished and the U’s remain well placed, with their fate in their own hands.

For my money, it’s going to a tough ride with a lot of top teams facing us over the run-in but I can see no reason why we cannot achieve a play-off position or more.

We certainly have the players, especially if the likes of Pell and Comley return soon to bolster the midfield, and I really think we have the manager in John McGreal.

It’s a big challenge for him and he’ll need to keep rising to those big decisions on formation and players.

When does three at the back work better and if we’re not scoring, how best to use the attackers on the bench? We’ll have to trust him and so will the players, if we are going to succeed this season.

John employed nearly all of his attackers last weekend, as Carlisle United tried to cling on for victory.

A bold move but it worked, albeit it was the head of centre-half Frankie Kent that saved the day.

Good to see Brennan Dickenson with the assist and I hope that improves his chances of starting tomorrow. For me, the U’s look unbalanced without a natural leftie attacker on the pitch.

Swindon are no mugs. They are in form and have an outside chance of a play-off place. The U’s are also in form (undefeated in four), so it’s going to be an interesting encounter.

As the home side push on for goals, it should free up the space for the likes of Senior, Szmodics and Eisa to enjoy, much like they did at Northampton.

Great to hear some of the positive comments emanating from the fans forum on Monday.

The chairman being happy to state that Championship football is possible again for the U’s within five years.

Why not? Who would have thought it possible the last time?

It will need some wise investment, which to be fair we have seen this season with the players coming in and it will need the U’s to win over or win back more of the hearts and minds of the football fans in Colchester.

Finally, I regret that I have never had the honour of meeting the legend that is Steve Foley.

I've seen him play and heard so many great words about him, so I was delighted to see that he was played into the U’s Hall of Fame last week.

Good football clubs are built on outstanding football people and Steve is definitely part of the foundations of Colchester United.

Good luck tomorrow U’s and a safe journey to all of the fans heading to Wiltshire to support them.

Jon Burns, Colchester United Supporters Association chairman