Colchester United have had a busy summer in the transfer window

Among the most notable departures from the club including fan favourites Brennan Dickenson, Frankie Kent and Sam Szmodics, who have joined MK Dons, Peterborough United and Bristol City respectively.

In addition, goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin (Bristol City), Sam Saunders (retired) and Mikael Mandron (released) have also left.

Nonetheless, U's boss John McGreal leaves no room for sentiment and has wasted no time in bringing reinforcements.

Jevani Brown (Cambridge United), Paris Cowan-Hall (Wycombe), Omar Sowunmi (Yeovil), Michael Fernandes (Farnborough) and Luke Gambin (Luton) have all arrived.

And defender Danny Collinge (AfB Stuttgart, Germany), Sammie McLeod (Maldon & Tiptree), Matthew Weaire (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Luke Ige of (Aston Villa) have linked up with the under-23 squad.

It could be seen as good recruitment business from chairman Robbie Cowling and his staff, but what do our four fans think to the club’s latest dealings?

Now in their late twenties, childhood friends Chris Hopkins, Matt Desborough, Ryan Everitt and Sam Nicole regularly attend home and away games, with the latter trio having renewed their season tickets for the new season.

The quartet are bonded by their allegiance to the Essex side and each have their say on the club’s latest recruitment drive:

Chris Hopkins

“I think it’s a slight concern that our business has been a little later this year; although we have brought in some new faces, I feel there needs to be several more.

“I don’t think we seem to be especially proactive in the market, far more reactive, waiting to see what funds are available after sales.

“In terms of the players we’ve brought in, Gambin seems to have excited the fans based on his performances against us last year with Crawley.

The jury is out on Sowunmi for me and I’ll reserve judgement on the young players we’ve signed – especially the ones from non-league.

“As tough as it is to see Kent and Szmodics go, they both fully deserve the chance to test themselves at higher levels. I just really hope it works out for both of them.

"I’m pleased that the two signings have significant experience at this level or higher, and Cambridge fans at least seem disappointed by Brown’s departure - that, to me, is a good sign."

Matthew Desborough

“I think the early business this year has been solid but not spectacular.

"Sowunmi and Gambin are solid signings in League Two.

"With Fernandes/Collinge, we can’t comment until they have played at this level but generally the difference between this summer and last is that the two first team players signed so far have more experience but we definitely need a few more yet.

“I think the moves for Szmodics and Kent are both great for them personally and the club in general.

"We needed to see some results from the investment in youth development and the prices they went for reflect the positive progress that is being made.

"This helps us to attract higher quality younger players as they see the path to our first team and then move up the leagues.

"The fact is we have a small fanbase and this is the best way for the club to gain significant income.

"Jevani Brown is a hugely impressive signing for us and a signal of intent.

"It was good to see the club being so proactive in replacing Szmodics with a player of that standard.

"Cowan-Hall is a solid player to add across the frontline and has experienced promotion from L2 with Wycombe which can only help."

Ryan Everitt

“Last summer’s transfer activity felt like we were building towards a squad who wanted to push.

"We spent money and brought in good free transfers to bolster key areas, whilst keeping our other key players.

"Given our failure to make the play-offs last season felt like the key players in the squad who had been with us for a while were losing faith in our potential for bigger and better things - hence the loss of Kent and Szmodics.

"No complaints about these leaving - the point of our investment in the youth set up was for these fruits to grow and be harvested.

“Looking to our transfer activity this year we have switched back to a reactive approach which may indicate a season of consolidation rather than pushing on.

"The first ten games will give us a good indication.

"The two latest signings are good business to back-up some solid younger signings earlier in the window.

"Fans reactions are one of the best measurements of a player's potential at a lower level and the disappointment from Cambridge supporters can only give us some optimism!"

Sam Nicole

“For me, the general transfer business so far has a good feel to it, we have a strategy in place and that we’re looking to bring in good replacements rather than a scattergun approach.

“It seems to be that we’re moving towards more of a philosophy, than trying to get our best players on the pitch at all times.

"The general youthfulness, yet also with experience from the Football League or from larger clubs, of our signings is pleasing.

“Signing a young, hungry wide player such as Fernandes, who appears to have the physical attributes to succeed, looks to be something really exciting.

"His signing combined with that of Gambin really allows us to have some flexibility in these areas with players that actually look comfortable playing there.

“With regard to departures, there’s been a lot of feedback about Szmodics and Kent, it is definitely pleasing and very positive to see us making a profit from our youth set-up.

"Signing experienced players at this level isn’t something that we normally do and should be a really positive.

"Brown could add some real X factor to our forward play and his forward passing and expected assist stats really back that up.

"He clearly has an eye for the spectacular which should hopefully get the excitement Szmodics brought back.

"Cowan-Hall looks like a solid player at this level and at 28 should add a bit of gamesmanship and nous to a young frontline.

"I’m not sure he has a huge goal threat but hopefully I’m proved wrong."