DANNY Cowley declared that his Colchester United squad have grown in the last five weeks after they brushed aside a radically-changed Cambridge United, writes BEN MCCARTHY.

The U’s ran out 6-0 victors at the Premier Plus Stadium in their latest pre-season match and Cowley, who is set to start his first full season as the U’s head coach, explained the aspects which made the win so pleasing.

He said: “We were pleased with the attitude, and we were pleased with the work ethic of the players.

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"I thought we played the game with a real intensity and a real energy, there was a lot of enthusiasm.

“It was a different challenge to the one we had on Tuesday.

"On Tuesday, we played at The Den against a Championship team (Millwall) that asked a lot of questions of us, but we kept a clean sheet on Tuesday and had a really good performance.

“We said before, good teams back performances up and today was a different challenge. I was pleased with the mindset. It’s been good all week. It really impressed me.”

(Image: Richard Blaxall)

Asked for what he looks for during pre-season, Cowley outlined some of his own tactical principles, he said: “Firstly, you try to develop the team physically. Then, you’re trying to improve the team technically and tactically.

“I think it’s a really good opportunity for you to look at different partnerships, different relationships and some different formations.

"For us, the principles are embedded, they’re always the same: how we like to play against the ball, how we like to play with it.

"You get an opportunity to look at those things and keep on trying to develop tactically, because you know there are plenty of challenges to come in the EFL, as the season unfolds.

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“And of course, to build the relationships off the pitch and the social element is so important.

"I look back at the six promotions that I’ve had with my teams, there’s always been a spirit and a togetherness, which is really special. And of course, this doesn’t just happen, you have to grow this over time.”

After last Tuesday’s win over Millwall, Cowley iterated the extent of change that there has been within the squad this summer, and repeated this again, on Saturday.

He said: "We are a new group. I don’t think I’ve had as much change from the end of last season to this season, in my career and this is my 16th season.

"There’s been a lot of change, so it will take time to keep building the relationships.

"We’ve grown in the last five weeks; it’s coming together.”