Dunne happy with new-look U's squad

5:04pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in Local Sport By Jonathan Waldron

New face - Billy Clifford is one of seven new signings Colchester United have made this month. Picture: STEVE ARGENT (CO73755-12) New face - Billy Clifford is one of seven new signings Colchester United have made this month. Picture: STEVE ARGENT (CO73755-12)

Colchester United manager Joe Dunne is confident he now has the squad to steer the U’s away from trouble.

The U’s boss has made seven new signings in this month’s transfer window.

Jabo Ibehre, Josh Thompson and Jack Compton have all joined Colchester on permanent deals.

And Chelsea duo Billy Clifford and Sam Walker, along with Dominic Samuel and George Porter, have arrived on loan.

Dunne is still hoping to add to his ranks before the window closes, next Thursday.

However, he is pleased with the way that it has taken shape, as Colchester strive to climb out of the League One relegation zone.

Dunne said: “We have two players for each position for the first time in a long time.

“We have four strikers and four wide players, with four to six midfield players and eight defenders, along with two goalkeepers.

“We have a 22-man squad now for the first time in a while and there’s good competition now.

“I’m very confident with the squad.

“We’ve managed training well, in terms of fitness.

“I’ve been really pleased with the amount of work we’ve got in.

“The players should feel confident because I’m still picking them.

“I have great belief in them and I want them to have great belief in themselves.

“We have to get out of this together.

“There are some players who are out of the team who have a contract for next year should try and honour that contract in League One.

“I want everybody in the squad to chip in and go hammer and tong, between now and the end of the season.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.

Comments(11)

col utd till i die says...
5:33pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Well said Joe, all the players should now pull together and do their best to keep the U's in League One.

Up the U's.

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crazy comments says...
5:33pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Sorry Joe,I fail to agree.

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the allotments says...
7:14pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Strange two men for each position-Henderson and O'Toole can't get in the squad,I WIN IN 14,strange both these players would get in my squad.

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super waluigi says...
9:38pm Thu 24 Jan 13

I think the point here is that he is happy to have more depth in the squad.

Too many young players for me, but what do I know?

Go Joe.

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candy box says...
9:45pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Just need a manager now

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Fnagster says...
11:41pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Well nominated Candy, I'm sure you'd do a fine job!

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Surb says...
10:18am Fri 25 Jan 13

It's all well and good having two players in each position. But can they actually play... seeing the current form no they can't. They need motivation and training on how to play football. For me there are too many underperformers at this club and its unacceptable, fans will no doubt get on the backs of these players. One example is Potts from westham we had him on loan he was "alright" but as soon as he went back to west-ham played against manchester united he was their star man, he was such a good player in both legs. Just shows there isn't a vibe at colchester.

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totallyfootball says...
10:18am Fri 25 Jan 13

super waluigi wrote:
I think the point here is that he is happy to have more depth in the squad.

Too many young players for me, but what do I know?

Go Joe.
Youth is the way forward Super W and Colchester United have been ignorant of that fact for far too long. Watchout for some talent coming through the Derby County ranks in the next couple of months! Its also time for the scouts to get out in the lower leagues as Ipswich are now proving!

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super waluigi says...
12:54pm Fri 25 Jan 13

totallyfootball wrote:
super waluigi wrote:
I think the point here is that he is happy to have more depth in the squad.

Too many young players for me, but what do I know?

Go Joe.
Youth is the way forward Super W and Colchester United have been ignorant of that fact for far too long. Watchout for some talent coming through the Derby County ranks in the next couple of months! Its also time for the scouts to get out in the lower leagues as Ipswich are now proving!
To some degree, I agree.
I think everyone loves a home grown player. But they have to be good enough.
Wordsworth was a youth player, became one of our best players this century, but still people get on his back.
I am sure Dunne will give youth a chance. Lets not forget that he was youth coach and knows the kids.
But this thread is about his current squad and not the future.

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wellnow says...
3:39pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Well walsall at home will supply the answer.

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totallyfootball says...
12:16am Sat 26 Jan 13

Sadly thats why this club is going nowhere Super, because it only looks at now, where all around are looking ahead!

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