COLCHESTER United made ten new signings during the summer transfer window.
They have experienced varying degrees of fortune so far, in the opening weeks of their U's careers.
With the season now six weeks old, the Gazette looks at how they have fared so far, for Danny Cowley's side.
JACK TUCKER
Has been outstanding since arriving at the club on a free transfer, following his release by MK Dons.
The central defender enjoyed a productive loan spell at the U’s last season and has proved an excellent permanent signing so far, with his impressive defensive displays and three goals, at the other end of the pitch.
Captained the U’s at Accrington Stanley last weekend in the absence of club skipper, Tom Flanagan.
Rating 8/10
HARVEY ARAUJO
Young Fulham loanee Araujo has shown promise since arriving on a season-long loan from the Premier League side, last month.
The 21-year-old centre-back has made three appearances for the U’s so far and made his first league start for them in their defeat at Accrington Stanley, last weekend.
Araujo started at left-back at the Wham Stadium and much like the rest of the Colchester team, experienced a testing opening 45 minutes but looked much more comfortable at centre-back, in the second half.
Rating 7/10
DOMINIC GAPE
Colchester fans are yet to see the best of Gape, following his free transfer switch from League Two rivals Shrewsbury Town.
The experienced midfielder missed almost the whole of pre-season due to injury but made his first league start for the U’s in their defeat at Accrington Stanley, last weekend.
Gape has looked tidy in possession when selected and the 31-year-old brings bags of experience to the team.
Rating 6/10
BEN PERRY
It was such a shame that Perry got injured so soon into his Colchester career.
The former Nottingham Forest youngster was really getting into his stride as a U’s player in the opening games of the season, before suffering a serious knee injury in the win at Shrewsbury Town, last month.
It will be a long road back for the young midfielder and his influence will certainly be missed, this season.
Rating 6/10
MICAH MBICK
Having arrived on transfer deadline day, it’s still early days for Mbick in his Colchester spell.
The 18-year-old striker joined the U’s on a season-long loan from Charlton Athletic and will be aiming to push for a starting spot in the coming weeks, having made two substitute appearances, so far.
Mbick has certainly caught the eye for Colchester in training sessions and offers them something different, in attack.
Rating 5/10
WILL GOODWIN
Goodwin was aiming to make a positive early impression at Colchester following his season-long loan move from Championship side Oxford United but his hopes of doing that were scuppered by injury, after just one appearance.
The former Cheltenham Town striker featured in the U’s opening-day draw with Tranmere Rovers but has been sidelined since then and looks set for several more weeks on the sidelines.
Colchester will be delighted when Goodwin returns as it will give them a focal point in attack and suit the system the Cowleys want to play.
Rating 5/10
JACK BALDWIN
Difficult to judge Baldwin’s contribution so far, given that he is another of the U’s summer signings who have been restricted by injury over recent weeks.
The experienced central defender did impress in Colchester’s Vertu Trophy win at Wycombe Wanderers, skippering the side in the process and made his first league start for them at Accrington, last weekend.
But he was replaced at half-time and will be hoping to get the nod over fellow summer signing Harvey Araujo to play alongside Jack Tucker in this weekend’s home clash with Bristol Rovers.
Rating 5/10
JOSH POWELL
Has shown promise since arriving on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest, in the summer transfer window.
The 20-year-old has contributed in both attack and defence from left-back and although he still has plenty to learn, has demonstrated the potential he has.
Has made six starts so far and when he came on at half-time against Accrington last week in difficult circumstances, was probably Colchester’s best player, on a difficult day.
Rating 6/10
ADRIAN AKANDE
Has shown flashes of his talent so far, having impressed enough in pre-season as a pre-agent to earn a permanent contract at Colchester.
The former Reading youngster has mainly been used off the bench by Danny Cowley in the opening weeks of the season but has shown his skill on the left wing at times.
The 21-year-old certainly has potential to make an impact this season and may well get a chance to shine in the coming games, with Owura Edwards sidelined due to a three-match suspension following his red card at Accrington Stanley.
Rating 5/10
JADEN WILLIAMS
Really deserved his first professional goal in the U’s recent Vertu Trophy win at Wycombe Wanderers.
It may take time for the 21-year-old striker to adapt to EFL life after leaving the Spurs Academy but has certainly shown potential for the U’s and was unlucky not to score in their recent home draw with Crewe Alexandra when he was denied by a fine save from goalkeeper, Tom Booth
Rating 6/10
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