Jay Mingi feels positive about U's future under the Cowleys

The U’s are planning for a ninth successive season in English football’s fourth tier, after securing their EFL status on the final day of the campaign with a draw against Crewe Alexandra.

Mingi played his part in Colchester’s survival, shining in a central defensive role in the final months of the season.

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The 23-year-old relished playing under Danny and Nicky Cowley whom he played under at former club Portsmouth and feels the only way is up now for the U’s, under their management duo.

Mingi said: “They’re great managers and people I can get on really well with, so next season can only be a positive one.

“It was a case of job done, on the final day of the season.

“We did what we needed to do.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win but we’ll take staying up in the league any day.

“Moments like that can go one of two ways but I knew the lads would come out fighting for their lives.

“We didn’t let the occasion faze us.

“It was a big relief to get it done because so much energy, mentally and physically went into the moment and now we can breathe again.”

Mingi started each of Colchester’s final 11 matches in a defensive role and was outstanding, consistently producing impressive performances to help the club stay in the Football League.

Prior to that, the ex-West Ham United youngster had experienced a stop-start season with the U’s and had played in a more familiar midfield berth.

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“Any job that I’m asked to do on the pitch, I’m more than happy to do it,” added Mingi, who signed a two-year deal with Colchester last September following his departure from Portsmouth, last summer.

“It wasn’t easy coming in playing games back to back.

“I proved a point to myself that I can do it and I’m grateful always.”

It is uncertain whether or not Mingi will still be at Colchester, next season.

Danny Cowley says he would love to keep the player but admits there is likely to be interest in him from higher-placed clubs.

Speaking to The News, Portsmouth, U's boss Cowley said: "Last summer, I actually spoke with Colchester’s recruitment guys at the time, Dmitri Halajko and Ross Embleton, and of course I gave Jay a really good reference. We were really pleased to then inherit him when we got to Colchester.

"But I don't think we’ll hang onto him, I think he’s gone. I have a feeling there will be some finance coming back to Pompey because he’s done brilliantly for us, he’s far too athletic for League Two.

"We would love to keep him, but my feeling is there are a lot of Championship and League One clubs that are very keen to sign him."