THERE are certainly more important things in life and the present day than football.

The dreadful and shocking news that greats us each day from Ukraine overshadows every else and makes us grateful for what we have.

Our ability to be free, to make our own choices and to do the things we want to do, such as follow Colchester United for years and years.

By making the televised home game against Forest Green Rovers a game to support those suffering in a country not that far away, this was a wonderful move by our football club and just has to be applauded, as it has been from many corners of football in this country.

The result of the game will be very important for us of course, seeing the stadium awash with plenty of bums on seats will also be a lovely sight, but knowing that in addition, football, and in particular the U’s and Forest Green are adding in some small way to the help that is so badly needed, this will make the evening so much more special.

Well done to the U’s for announcing this. Let’s now do what we can as fans to bring as many friends and family members along for the game and the much-needed fund raising.

Gazette:

This good news came on the back of the merciful news that the U’s had managed to beat Port Vale last Saturday.

I think we all needed that result and 3 points didn’t we? It certainly made the league table a little better looking.

Totally agree that it was a game that registered very low on the entertainment scale and the U’s rode their luck on occasions by backing off too much at times, but I do sense that this was part of our game plan.

To more or less bore a team looking for the play-offs, keeping ourselves in the fight and then deliver the knock out punch, or knock out header via the brilliant Tom Dallison. Top notch delivery from Noah Chilvers too I might add.

It was almost typical U’s to allow a golden chance of an equaliser just minutes. I am really not sure how Shamal George managed to get a hand on the ball, let alone deflect it away from goal.

Gazette:

This was a superior save from an outstanding goalkeeper we remain very lucky to have. It was a gritty but strong performance from the U’s.

Late goals are so important, and there were a lot in League Two last weekend. Staying in the game for 90 minutes is critical when relegation is threatened.

The big question now is how they take the result and the confidence provided by it into the next few weeks, and in particular the trip to bottom side Scunthorpe on Saturday.

We cannot be complacent and I don’t think we will be. We cannot let them defeat us and enhance their own survival chances, and I don’t think we will let that happen.

The players are going to have to overcome any nerves, play strong and make sure they get the job done. Backed by a good number of travelling U’s fans too I suspect, which is fantastic news.

Gazette:

Now should be time that the experience within our squad really comes to the fore. Sensible and calming voices in the changing room and on the pitch are going to be crucial over the next two months.

People ask me if I am happy that the U’s have moved up the table.

Points on the board are sometimes better than games in hand, but from my point of view I would be much happier if the table as it looks at the moment could be reflected in two months’ time.

That would do me this season please.

Thanks for your support as always and I look forward to seeing many of you at Scunthorpe and maybe even Bristol Rovers, and please grab as many “extras” as you can for that important Monday game!

Up the U’s!