On-loan Crystal Palace keeper Owen Goodman on penalty save

The on-loan Crystal Palace goalkeeper has experienced contrasting fortunes over recent games, with his fine spot-kick save for the U’s in their 1-1 draw at Sutton United coming days after he was criticised by some for goals conceded against Harrogate Town and Forest Green Rovers.

Goodman has impressed for Colchester in his first full season in league football, at times making crucial saves to help the team claim valuable points in League Two.

READ MORE: U's striving for more control as rollercoaster ride continues

And after helping the U’s claim a hard-earned point at Sutton by saving Harry Smith’s late penalty, the talented young goalkeeper says it is vital he remains confident in his own ability.

Goodman said: “If you look at the recent games, we know what’s happened with a goal or two – it happens.

“I’ve played 32 games now, just turned 20 and I’d like to think I’ve had a really good season here and won the team points in games and I’m still doing it now.

“I was disappointed in myself after Forest Green and Harrogate but I can’t let it affect me.

“I’ve got to keep my confidence high and I can’t lose my belief, because I know how good I am and I know where I can get to, in my career.

“Ever since the new gaffer, Danny and Nicky Cowley, have come in, we’ve had a lot less to do defensively and for me, a lot less saves and less crosses in the box.

“For me, it’s now about how I can stay focused when I’m not doing as much whereas before, there was a lot of chaos in our box and I was doing quite a lot.

“I’m not getting as many touches now so for me, it’s just about staying focused when the time arrives.”

READ MORE: Colchester United fans have their say on Sutton United draw

Goodman has revealed he was buoyed by the support of Colchester’s fans both before and after his penalty save at Sutton.

He said: “Before the pen, they (U’s fans) were saying my name and ‘come on, come on’.

“Once you save it, it’s a massive roar and they’re singing your name and it’s an unbelievable feeling.

“Credit to (goalkeeper coach) Yilmaz (Aksoy) and the analysis staff.

“They get all of the penalty takers before the game for me and I just read it and then memorise it.

“Sutton are in the relegation zone at the moment but I think they’re one of the most difficult teams to play in this league, based on how they play and how they go long every time, the physical attributes they have up front and from set pieces, they’re really dangerous.

“It’s a difficult game but I felt we dealt with it well.”

READ MORE: Colchester United player ratings after Sutton United draw

Colchester now turn their attentions to tomorrow night’s trip to Salford City, with Danny Cowley’s side lying five points above the League Two relegation zone.

Goodman added: “We think we should have more wins but in the last seven games, we’ve got a win and five draws and you’d rather take a point than no points.

“We want to win and we’re quite down on ourselves when we don’t win but we’ve just got to take the positives and just keep going and keep pushing for the rest of the season.

“We’ll recover right, train well on Monday, go to Salford Tuesday and we want to get three points.

“It’ll be a tough game; Salford have been in very good recently.

“I think Salford will probably be quite similar to (the Sutton) game; they’ve got a big striker in Matt Smith who’s six foot six and is a very good striker, so we’ll work on it and we’ll be good.”