MARLEY Marshall Miranda has a 'big future' in the game.
That's the view of Colchester United boss Matt Bloomfield, who has been impressed by the youngster's contribution over recent games.
Miranda, who made his first senior start for the U's in August, is back in the first-team picture under Bloomfield, having dropped out of the U's starting line-up prior to his arrival.
The 19-year-old, who was born in Spain, impressed in Colchester's 2-1 win over Harrogate Town last weekend and boss Bloomfield has been impressed by the midfielder's work ethic.
Bloomfield said: “I think Marley has got a big future.
“He’s a great kid, a really, really lovely kid who wants to come in and work hard every day.
“He’s very, very diligent in his work.
“I think we can round his game off a little bit and I’m excited to try and help him do that a little bit.
“He’s a team player; he wants to put the team at heart and I love that about him.”
Meanwhile, boss Bloomfield says team spirit among his Colchester squad is good, following a three-match unbeaten run.
The U's claimed only their second league win of the season last weekend, after chalking up a 2-1 victory over Harrogate Town.
Colchester now face back-to-back away games, with this weekend's trip to Swindon Town followed by a game at Newport County on October 22.
Bloomfield added: “I’m not going to speak publicly about it but I’ve got ideas about how I want to produce and have our football team moving forward.
“Like any team, if you’re not winning games then there must be something missing but I respect the work that Wayne (Brown) has done here.
“He’s a great man and I know him from Ipswich as a kid; I respect what he’s done at this football club and Joe (Dunne) and Dave (Huzzey) as well.
“I think they’re really good football people and there’s a good group here.
“If we can carry the energy and enthusiasm that the boys have shown forward, it’ll give us a real good chance of picking up some points.
“When you walk into a football club, you think there’s something missing if you’ve not been winning games.
“From what I’ve seen so far, there’s some really good people in the building and some really good footballers in the building.
“The team spirit has been absolutely fine since I walked in.”
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