ARTHUR Read admits it took him time to come to terms with being left out of Colchester United’s starting line-up.

But last season’s U’s player of the year insists he has had to turn the situation into a positive and battle to reclaim his spot.

Read started only two of Colchester’s opening eight league games this season but has returned to the side for their previous two matches, against Carlisle United and Port Vale.

The 24-year-old was the U’s man of the match in their 0-0 draw with the Cumbrians and the midfielder says he is glad to be back in the side.

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Read said: “I’ve been waiting for my chance and I’ve had to be patient.

“It’s been a bit of a frustrating start to the season but I felt like I did quite well (against Carlisle).

“I’ve found myself on the bench, so I’ve had to deal with that.

“It probably took me a bit of time to come to terms with that and accept that I wasn’t playing.

“I think every player thinks they should be playing and play 90 minutes every week but I had to turn it into a positive and work hard in training and take my chance.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

“Last season was last season; it’s a fresh start and I have to prove myself again and keep doing that.

“We have a good squad and players have to be on the bench.

“You can see the squad that we’re building is a lot stronger than previous years and the bench over the last few weeks has been really strong.

“People have been coming on, doing well and finding themselves in the team, so it changes quickly, football.

“There are new players that are playing and I’ve got to prove my point and get back in the team.

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“I’ve just got to remain positive and when I get a chance, show what I can do.”

Read admits Colchester must start turning their draws into wins if they are to challenge at the top end of the League Two table.

The U’s stalemate with Carlisle was their fourth draw in their first ten league games, this season.

“We’re a bit disappointed we didn’t win and it’s these games that we need to start winning and start taking our chances and climbing the table,” added Read, who has made 79 league and cup appearances for the U’s since joining them from Stevenage in January, 2023.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

“We’re definitely looking towards the top of the table and you’ve got to think positive.

“It’s a fresh start – the results have been a bit up and down but from the players and the fans, you can see a positive reaction.

“We deserved to win it; it was quite a tough first half but we were very dominant in the second half and had quite a few chances.

“There was a little tweak with the formation which helped all of us, especially probably me and Woody in midfield.

“We got a bit more control and had a lot more chances.

“As a team, we wanted to dominate the ball in their half which led them to being a lot deeper.

“Their goalie’s had a great game to be fair to him – he’s pulled off some very good saves, so credit to him.”