Management team - U’s boss Steve Ball (right) and assistant Hayden Mullins Picture: RICHARD BLAXALL

COLCHESTER United assistant manager Hayden Mullins believes his side must be prepared to "mix their game up" this season.

Steve Ball's right-hand man has been encouraged by the team's unbeaten start to the League Two campaign.

They have won one and drawn four of their opening matches - a sequence they will be striving to extend at Carlisle United tomorrow (kick-of 3pm).

However, Mullins has the experience and wisdom to know it will be a tough season and says the players must be prepared to adapt to different situations in different games.

“League Two is a tough division," said the former West Ham midfielder.

“I played in League One with Notts County and it’s not a million miles away from that.

“I know you have to be organised and you have to be tough to beat.

“You also have to mix your game up at times and not one game is the same.

“It’s going to be a tough season this year.

"We know that but it’s about concentrating on what we do well.

“We have some fantastic players in the squad."

Gazette:

Mullins was confirmed as Ball's assistant on September 3.

He joined up with the squad ahead of their Carabao Cup tie against his old club, Reading.

The 41-year-old, who also played for Crystal Palace and Portsmouth, is enjoying his new role alongside Ball.

“Steve is the head coach and he makes all of the decisions," he said.

“My role is to assist him in the best way I can.

“If that’s me having a certain view on something then I’ll try and give it respectfully and if the manager listens to it then he does and if he doesn’t, then it’s his decision.

“Part of the role of the assistant is to help him get his views across to the team which I’ll try and do as well as I can and to offer him the support and the views that I have."