Former West Ham defender Will Greenidge enjoying football

The 21-year-old has started every game since Matty Etherington took charge and is currently enjoying his longest run in the U’s team, following his move from West Ham United in January.

Greenidge is hoping to keep his place for Colchester’s home clash with Barrow tomorrow and the young defender says he is relishing his game time.

Greenidge said: “It’s good to be playing regularly.

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“I feel like I’ve got the manager’s trust.

“Recently, I’ve been starting most games which is obviously what I came here for, to play as much as I can.

“Now it’s just about really homing in on where I want to play and making a position my own.

“I feel like I’ve been enjoying my football more and every game, I feel like I’m building in confidence, trying things that I might not have tried the first game I played.

“I just want to make sure I keep playing regularly.”

Greenidge has shown his versatility for Colchester since arriving from West Ham.

The young defender has played as a full-back and wing-back on both the right and left sides of the pitch, along with as a centre-back.

“I’d say right-back is my position but growing up, I played anywhere across the back four or five," said Greenidge, who has made 27 appearances in total for the U's.

“Anywhere the manager wants to play me, I’ll play.

“Because of my height and stature, I think most people see me as a centre-back.

“But I think I’ve got a bit of pace and I enjoy getting forward up and down the flank, as much as I can.

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“I think I’ve definitely learnt how to play in a multitude of positions, so wherever I’ll need to play, I’ll play.

“If I’m playing on the left, it’s another string to my bow and another place to keep learning and really improve and get regular football."

Greenidge has also been featuring in the attacking third for Colchester and recently provided the assist for Samson Tovide's goal, in the win over Swindon Town.

He said: “I’ve been getting into those positions more often and getting more confidence with my play.

“I really want my first goal – hopefully it’ll come sooner, rather than later.

“Another thing I’ve been talking to people about is getting myself in goals this season and obviously the more I play, the more chance I will have to do that.

“It’s just a case of making sure that I’m in those positions to be able to provide assists or goals."

Greenidge is hoping to help Colchester secure another home victory when they force in-form Barrow at the JobServe Community Stadium tomorrow.

He added: “I think we’ve got the quality and the togetherness and we’re definitely building some momentum recently.

“Things are definitely looking up.

“It’s been a good feeling playing under the new head coach and I think everyone is on the same page.

“We really wanted to come together as a group and he’s really on a level with us.

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“He takes into consideration how we feel and there’s definitely been a feel-good factor recently and I think that’s shown, in the results we’ve got.

“We back ourselves against anyone on our day and as long as we do what we want to do, we can cause teams problems.

“Barrow are a good side on a good run but we’re not going to be scared of anyone.

“We just want to play our football, especially at home.

“The better we play at home, the more the fans are going to be with us and that can only lead to more wins and better performances.

“You always want your home form to be good and it’s so important.”