I HAVE to start this week with a big pat on the back to the 50-plus U’s fans that gave up their time and found the dosh to go to Swindon on Tuesday night.

Given everything that is going on at the moment and with so much of the U’s to take in over the next month or so, this was a considerable effort.

Before you ask with tongue in cheek, this is not self-appreciation because I could not make the game and it was not out of a lack of love for this particular cup competition.

A much-maligned cup it still remains due to the bolt on of young Premier League teams, and I really cannot see what they get out of it to be honest, but whilst it remains and adds money to the coffers, then so be it. With a degree of good fortune tomorrow afternoon, let’s hope that the U’s are given a good draw for the next round.

Overcoming a very in-form Wigan Athletic on Sunday afternoon would be one terrific result for the U’s and would give us another cup game to look forward to, not forgetting Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup next Friday and then the Essex Senior Cup the following week.

Like I said, a lot of U’s football lies ahead. Probably too much for this time of year for players and fans, and the bread and butter of league games can get lost amongst it all, and I am particularly thinking of and being concerned with the three important midweek trips coming up.

Hayden will need to call upon many of his troops for these games and could do with an empty treatment table.

Hopefully the U’s will be able to battle through despite any absentees and carry on their current good form.

Coming back against a decent Newport team last Friday, when we were not quite on song, was an excellent end result. I thought Freddie’s finish was brilliant. To be honest I was right behind it and I thought he had missed the target, from his narrow angle.

Winning at the troubled Swindon, who in fact probably needed the cash of the next round even more than us, was very decent.

Alan Judge and Luke Chambers putting on a display of how to deliver a perfect ball for a perfect header. And here was me, thinking that only Tom Eastman could knock goals in with his head.

I was really pleased for Luke because although he has had the occasional off day for us, he never stops battling and always gives everything he can on the pitch.

So that is two wins and a draw for the U’s over the last few games. Just what the doctor ordered ahead of this busy, and in my view, always our trickiest time of the season.

First up though is high-flying Wigan, who are second in League One with loads of wins under their belt.

They will be very confident of coming to Colchester and turning us over, but they did need a replay to overcome Solihull in the last round. Being the slight underdogs in terms of league position may well suit our lads. We have certainly not got anything to lose by going at them hammer and tong for the win.

Pity the Wigan fans though who will have a silly and early start on a Sunday morning, and pity those U’s fans who either engage in Sunday League football, and there is a lot of youth football on Sundays, and those who work on Sundays to free up their normal football Saturdays.

Regardless of that, I do so hope that many of you will be able to make the game to cheer the lads on in person rather than in front of your TV screens. The carrot of a nice third-round tie in the New Year will spur us on no doubt.

Best of luck U’s and yet more thanks to those U’s supporters going along to get behind them.