HOW good did Saturday feel?

That winning feeling at home finally made its way back into the U’s faithful at full-time against Port Vale.

Granted it was not by any stretch of the imagination a blockbuster of a game but it nevertheless resulted in three points and at this stage of the season, that is all that matters.

Given we had not won at home since convincingly beating Exeter last November and the list of opponents we have played in the last three games at the JobServe Community Stadium, the Vale game did seem the least likely one to pick up a win, especially when we have struggled with keeping clean sheets and holding on to leads.

While I’m not tasking anything from the win - and I’m sure I cheered as loud as anyone in the ground when the ref blew for full-time - it has to be taken into context, both good and bad.

Gazette:

The negative side of things is that we picked up five points from a possible 12 possible at home, including dropping points against fellow strugglers Oldham.

We have been guilty of conceding sloppy goals and very poor game management and this was highlighted when we led 2-1 against Orient.

We gave away a needless free-kick in stoppage-time that we failed to defend; basics in how to see the game out were not observed and rightly, we were punished for it.

On the plus side though, we did beat a Port Vale side pushing for the play-offs – admittedly they did look off their game – and kept a clean sheet.

These valuable three points, along with other results going our way, have meant that we have opened up a slender gap from the bottom two ahead of this weekend's trip to Scunthorpe United, where I would like to think we will get something.

Gazette:

We have to gain some momentum and all being well, this is the place to do it and build on the Vale win.

This is, of course, all in the short term and given that EFL survival is our number one priority, something that needs to happen.

But beyond that there is clearly more that needs to be done. This is our second season flirting with relegation and needs to be the last. The key component to this is the manager.

I'm a big fan of Wayne Brown and his past with the club, along with the passion he brought back when replacing the last empty tracksuit who was in charge.

I do not think he is the man for the job long term at the moment.

Gazette:

Let's stay up, then I think Brown should then look to leave Maldon and Tiptree to go up the non-league levels for experience and a different look at what is out there to gain more experience and knowledge that will in the years to come, allow him to return to the U’s dugout and move the team forward, instead of being thrown into a firefight.

While this is happening, the club needs a manager from the outside and knows the league and what is required to get out of it.

Also, an outside appointment would rock the boat and take others inside the club out of their comfort zones, hopefully realigning everything for the greater good of Colchester United as a whole.

We can not have a hat-trick of relegation battles next year and the fans deserve improvement and something to cheer about, next season.

But that is a few months away and as I’ve already said short term we need to beat Scunthorpe.

So let's get behind the lads come what may and here's to three points. Up the U’s.