Colchester United have dismissed Matty Etherington as boss

Gazette sports writer Jon Waldron looks at where the U's go from here, after another managerial change at the JobServe Community Stadium.

HERE we are again.

On the first day of the new calendar year, Colchester United began their search for another new permanent head coach, their seventh since John McGreal was dismissed in the summer of 2020.

Even in the transient world of modern-day football, Matty Etherington’s ill-fated reign in charge of the U’s proved particularly brief.

Just 47 days - and 11 games - elapsed between Etherington’s appointment on a full-time basis and his dismissal.

READ MORE: Colchester United fans have their say on Matty Etherington exit

Quite simply, it has just not worked out for the former Spurs and West Ham United winger.

Since impressing in temporary charge following his elevation from his role as under-21 boss, claiming ten points from a possible 12 to earn the job on a permanent basis on November 16, it’s been a pretty miserable run of form for Etherington and his Colchester side.

Eight defeats in nine matches have left the U’s one place and five points above the League Two relegation zone and the 1-0 home loss to Gillingham on New Year’s Day has proved the final straw for chairman and owner Robbie Cowling and his fellow board members.

It is difficult not to feel sympathy for Etherington.

Alongside Scott Marshall and Dave Huzzey, he worked hard to try and get results.

A young coach trying to make his way in the managerial game, it seems like he has been searching for solutions ever since the U’s 2-0 defeat at Stockport County in his first game in permanent charge but they have not been forthcoming.

In that time, Colchester have shipped 25 goals in 11 matches in all competitions, scoring only ten.

READ MORE: Luton Town recall striker Joe Taylor from Colchester loan spell

Like his predecessor Ben Garner, he has not been helped by injuries to key players.

The absence of the likes of Fiacre Kelleher, Mandela Egbo, Ellis Iandolo, Connor Hall and Samson Tovide has undoubtedly been damaging.

But at times, it seemed as though Etherington was unable to pinpoint the right system to win football matches with the players he did have at his disposal, nor motivate the team sufficiently to be better than their opponents.

The festive period proved pretty dire for the U’s with three defeats in that time and disgruntled supporters have made their feelings known.

It therefore came as no surprise when Colchester released a brief statement at just gone 7pm last night, little more than two hours after the Gillingham defeat, confirming their decision to part company with Etherington.

So, with the U’s currently embroiled in a fourth successive season of relegation trouble, where do they go from here?

Without doubt, this is once again another key appointment for the club and it must be the right one, with their Football League future in doubt.

The fact that the U’s are searching for a new permanent boss with the transfer window open is significant.

It will give the new boss a say in any new signings who come in and potentially any departures, too.

READ MORE: Matty Etherington is sacked as Colchester United head coach

One player definitely leaving is leading goalscorer Joe Taylor who has been recalled by his parent club Luton Town, with a replacement imminent this week.

But more reinforcements are also needed to give whoever is appointed as Etherington’s successor a fighting chance of turning the U’s dire form around.

There are more pressing long-term issues for Colchester, too but the main priority right here, right now must be ensuring they can safely move away from the relegation mire, in the remaining 20 games of the season.