YET again we fell to an agonising defeat, one that sadly we deserved and we were nowhere near good enough.

Yes Northampton Town are near the top and are looking to secure automatic promotion to League One...oh, what that must feel like.

But we can not just roll over and use that as an excuse. The formation and set up was wrong, then it took way too long to change it into something that looked more – if only slightly – promising.

With a third of the season still to play, there are still the games to pick up points to finish clear of the drop.

But they are going to run out and frankly if we do slide out of the EFL, then at the moment with the football environment like it is in the National League we could be there for a very long time.

Now I am sure everyone involved in the U's first team set-up is fully aware of this and are fed up of hearing it day in day out but in the world of 24 hour social media, it is not something that will go away.

That is until the same words stop coming out in interviews and the actions show proof of going in the right direction. 

Gazette:

I said after the Orient game we wouldn’t go down this season, now however even I am doubting myself and can see those words turning hollow.

Football is a game of opinions that everyone will have and voice and that is one of the great things about the game, with the talking points that come out.

But at what point do enough opinions become more of a fact such as why are we playing three at the back when we look so much more comfortable in a back four?

Also, why do we insist in hitting long balls up for Sears to chase time after time when nine times out of ten, it is a wasted endeavour?

Gazette:

Play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, have a stronger base at the back that is protected by a midfield that also offers options to move the ball forward in different ways.

Also, it should prevent us keep giving the ball away and having to dance to the opponents' tune instead of our own.

There are a number of different ways to go about it - anything has to be better than what we saw on Saturday.

So where does this leave us? Other than frustrated and wondering as fans why we bother?

Well we are now entering the season-defining set of games, four of them on the bounce at home including one against fellow strugglers Oldham.

That is a must win and from the others, we need as many points as possible.

12 from 12 points would be ideal but if not, as a minimum I'd settle for nine BUT and a big but for three of those to come from the Oldham game.

If not, that could well be one of the final few nails in this season as it will really drag us down into the gutter of relegation.

I hope and long for better, more positive days but right now it is about survival of the fittest - let's ensure come May that includes Colchester. Up the U’s.