BEN Garner wants his Colchester United side to strive for promotion, this season.

The U's head coach is keen to see his team aim for a top-seven finish, ahead of the new League Two season which gets underway tomorrow.

Colchester have battled against relegation in the last three seasons, finding themselves at the wrong end of the table.

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However, Garner wants that to change in the 2023-24 campaign, as they target a more successful time in the fourth tier.

Gazette: Colchester United

Garner said: “Success for me this season is promotion.

“That’s what we need to aim for and strive for.

“As a club, there’s been a couple of years down at the wrong end of the division and we want to very much be away from that.

“The important thing for us is having a clear identity about how we’re going to play and being really strong and sticking to that, developing players within that but ultimately, winning games and being at the top end of the division and pushing as hard as we can.

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“We’ve got our targets we want to achieve but the mindset from day one has to be to attack the season.

“We’ll respect absolutely everyone and go into great detail with our preparation but we’re not going to have any fear in terms of who we’re playing.

“We’re going to be on the front foot in every single game we play."

Colchester have enjoyed a productive pre-season, playing attractive football and looking settled in a system with wing-backs.

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The U's have brought in five new signings this summer which have added to the mood of optimism that presently exists around the club, with more additions set to follow.

“I think there’s a great buzz around the club at the moment," said Garner.

“I get a really good feeling around the whole club and what we’re looking to do, this season.

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“The players are excited, we’re excited as a staff and now we need to go and perform.

“Hopefully the supporters will enjoy it and we can have a successful season and certainly put the memories of the last two or three years to the back of our minds and look forward with some optimism and hope now."