Colchester boss Ward could wield the axe (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Colchester boss Ward could wield the axe

10:00am Friday 17th August 2012 in Local Sport By Jonathan Waldron

Colchester United boss John Ward has threatened to wield the axe on the eve of the big kick-off.

The U’s manager has stressed that wants a big response from his players in their League One curtain-raiser at Preston North End.

Colchester head into their opening league game of the new league campaign still smarting from their disappointing Capital One Cup exit at the hands of Yeovil Town.

Ward was critical of his senior players following his side’s 3-0 defeat, at Huish Park.

As a result he is contemplating changes to his starting line-up - and is looking for a big improvement at Deepdale.

Ward said: “I want to see the whites of their eyes in training and see how they are.

“We’ve had to lick our wounds a bit but we have to have a positive reaction.

“If we don’t get that at Preston, then we’ll get rolled over.

“We need to be very strong and that’s where I’ll be looking at the players in training.

“I’m looking for a response because it was a disappointing effort at Yeovil, after a very promising pre-season.

“The way that we under-performed on Tuesday leaves one or two places up for grabs.

“The intensity was lacking and we had played some good football in pre-season.

“We were slow, methodical and pedantic against Yeovil, which is not the way I want the team to play.

“I want to pass it and get forward but at the same time, we have to do it brightly and a lot quicker.

“We have to be on our mettle a lot more, this weekend.”

See Friday's Gazette for more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, including a full preview of their opening League One game at Preston North End.