Colchester United lie in 19th spot in League Two

Yet right now, there currently seems to be a bigger disconnect between Colchester United and their supporters than there ever was, during that traumatic and fragmented 2020-21 campaign.

In truth, the at times toxic atmosphere that was evident within the JobServe Community Stadium last night has been building for some time.

U's disgruntled fans are fearful of the prospect of their club following their Essex neighbours Southend United out of the Football League - and a relegation to the National League becoming the latest instalment of what they see as the club's slow decline.

They are unhappy about decisions being made, both on and off the pitch.

Some of of the protests went too far, last night, as did personal abuse.

But such disgruntlement and disengagement has clearly already been evident on social media and internet messageboards for some time now.

Supporters certainly made their feelings known - in no uncertain terms - during the course of Colchester's 3-1 defeat against Sutton United, their fourth in the league on home soil already, this season.

While some frustrated U's followers vented their anger towards owner and chairman Robbie Cowling and his fellow directors, on the field, their team did at least show some fight and character in adversity.

The trouble is, it was in the context of Colchester playing for more than an hour of the game with only ten men and chasing the game, following Samson Tovide's unfortunate red card.

On an evening when there was always the potential for things to turn a little toxic off the field following recent events, having such a numerical disadvantage - and for so long - was really the last thing Hayden Mullins and his players needed.

Quite clearly, Colchester's biggest problem in the first couple of months of this season has been their inability to find the net.

A return of ten goals in 14 league matches has been debilitating and the joint lowest in League Two, along with Oldham Athletic and this weekend's opponents, bottom side Scunthorpe United.

But in the last couple of matches, it is the unenforced defensive mistakes that they have made that have cost them dear.

And that is a worry. Six goals conceded in two matches is alarming enough but when you're not scoring at the other end, it's even more concerning.

Ironically, Colchester have probably created more chances in their last couple of matches which have resulted in chastening defeats than they have in the majority of their previous games, this season.

But only one of those chances has been converted in contrast to their more clinical opponents' strike rate, which has proved far more prolific.

After the large turnover of players in the summer following last season's survival battle, things just haven't quite clicked for the U's, so far.

There have been signs of promise, not least in some of the away performances they have produced.

But the majority of the U's faithful only watch their team live at the Community Stadium - and it is there, predominantly, where their struggles have been, so far.

That has been reflected in attendances, although last night's crowd of more than 3,000 was surprisingly their biggest of the season by several hundred.

In general though, Colchester's home crowds have dwindled due to a number of reasons, not least the team under-performing on the pitch.

Post-Covid and the welcome return of fans to stadiums, the 'matchday experience' has been spoken about at great length.

Even Robbie Cowling accepted himself last night in a radio interview that the decisions that have been by the club prior to supporters coming back to the stadium are affecting what happens now - and have contributed to a deterioration in what they experience.

All in all, it's difficult to feel that positive if you are a U's fan, right now.

But there are things to cling on to.

The performance of home-grown talent Noah Chilvers was outstanding last night and a throwback to his form last season, which landed him three end-of-season awards.

The form of goalkeeper Shamal George has been excellent all season, which made his uncharacteristic errors last night even more surprising. But he will bounce back.

Others young players such as Brendan Wiredu, who will be available again this weekend following suspension, have impressed.

And it is still early days, with the season only 14 games old.

But it is clear that even at this stage, nothing other than a victory will do against lowly Scunthorpe, this weekend.

Given the U's position in the table, where they lie only three points above the relegation zone, the need for a victory is already clear.

But on top of that, while it might not be enough in some cases to change the sway of opinion among some U's fans about the current state of the club it might at least serve to quell the apparent terrace disquiet that has been building, at least in the short term.