Clive Platt has admitted Colchester United will have to adopt a stronger mindset if they are to be a success in Coca-Cola League One.

The lofty striker - the club's record-signing last summer - knows that there is little wrong with the U's attacking qualities.

Colchester found the net more times than the majority of teams in the Championship last season, including the likes of Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.

But they shipped 86 goals and often surrendered leads in games.

Platt feels they will need to toughen up mentally if they are to challenge for promotion next season.

He told the Gazette: "We played some nice football at times but too often we weren't able to stop the other side from scoring and that cost us our Championship status.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with the way that we play football.

"On the ball we've been effective - it's when we're not on the ball that we have to change our mentality.

"We conceded a lot of goals and it's not purely down to the defence - it's a team game and we have to do better as a team.

"The strikers have done well in front of goal and the team has done well in creating chances.

"But maybe we do need to stop being so attacking and concentrate on defending, because that's been our biggest weakness."

Platt became Colchester's record signing last summer when he arrived from Milton Keynes Dons for £300,000, a fee later eclipsed by the arrival of defender Chris Coyne in January.

The 30-year-old - nicknamed The Tree - hit the net eight times for the U's but admitted that there were more lows than highs overall.

"I started the season well," said Platt.

"We had difficult times as a team and maybe I had a few difficult times as a player as well.

"But I enjoyed every minute of near enough every game that I've been involved in in the Championship.

"Unfortunately, as a team we've had more lows than highs this season.

"We have a good squad and a good manager and we have to take the positives out of the season.

"But we also have to consider the negatives too and look at the good and the bad."