OUR results over this next week will go a long way to deciding our destiny this season.

The top three looks almost beyond us now unless Bury, Mansfield and Lincoln go into meltdown.

The play-offs are certainly more realistic and victories over Newport County tomorrow and Forest Green Rovers next Tuesday night will definitely brighten those chances.

However, the U’s cannot afford any more performances, such as was witnessed at Swindon last Saturday by a very good following of fans.

It’s quite remarkable, the numbers that travel away considering our modest home attendances.

Sadly, they were all sent home disappointed by the football and while it has to be appreciated that the U’s can’t win or fight for a draw in every game, I do feel that last week was a massive opportunity wasted.

In my view, Swindon had an awful opening 25 minutes or so.

They could hardly keep the ball on the pitch or string two passes together and going forward they looked aimless.

During this time, the U’s should have really gone for the jugular, stuck themselves up a gear or two, and lay siege to the Swindon goal.

Instead, we failed to take advantage of being on the front foot and for me, it had a training game feel about it.

I personally thought that Brennan Dickenson had their right-back on toast but for some reason we stopped getting the ball to him.

And then the sucker punch came with a collective switch off and we were quickly two goals down at half-time with a mountain to climb over the remaining 45 minutes, which became steeper with their sloppy third goal.

An all-round bad day at the office. The U’s are better than that one game. Our players are better than that one game.

They have shown it over the course of the 15 victories already this season. That number really has to be 17 this time next week.

John McGreal was right to point out that mistakes cost us the game and yes they did.

Many fans are pointing the finger at goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin but he wasn’t alone.

Hopefully, there will be one or two players back from the sidelines tomorrow to give our gaffer more tools.

A few promotions from last week's bench could be in order too and I will look forward to the team announcement with interest.

The U’s still have a massive opportunity for a successful climax to the season. Let us not let it slip through our fingers again. Thanks again for your support, home and away, this season. The team will need it more than ever now. Good luck U’s!

Jon Burns, Colchester United Supporters Association chairman