Colchester United striker Tom Hopper boosted by goal

The 30-year-old struck a fine equaliser for the U’s in their 1-1 draw with Bradford City last weekend, capping an impressive all-round performance.

Hopper has experienced a challenging season so far and his start for Colchester against Bradford last weekend was only his fourth of the campaign.

But the former Lincoln City striker has started each of the Cowleys’ first two games in charge and he now wants to build on his eye-catching display against the Bantams.

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Hopper said: “On a personal level, it’s probably my high point of the last 12 months or so.

“It’s not been easy but I’ve really enjoyed the last two games and obviously, scoring the goal which has been long overdue.

“I felt confident going into the game; I had a good week training and for the chance, it’s the hard work that I’ve put in all week.

“I had the confidence to actually take the shot on and it found itself in the bottom corner and right in front of our fans, as well.

“Now I’ve got to try and replicate that and hopefully keep going and get my Colchester United career kick-started, if you like.

“For me personally, it’s been a bit of a battle, with a loss of form and then trying to rediscover that, which I’ve found difficult.

“I’ve had to get my head down and work hard and I’ve tried to keep doing that.

“I haven’t had the minutes that I’d have liked but I just need that bit of belief in myself and only you can do that.

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“That combined with the managers coming in and it’s a real start for me now to really go and try to kick on.

“I’ve been really fortunate that wherever I’ve been most of my career, it’s worked out and it’s been a tricky spell.

“By no stretch of the imagination am I back to where I want to be.

“You have to show character and keep working hard and believing in yourself and then the break will come.”

Hopper says the arrival of Danny Cowley and Nicky Cowley has instilled belief in the whole of the Colchester squad.

The U’s have battled to two draws in the Cowleys’ first two games in charge and striker Hopper says their appointment has brought plenty of positivity.

“The managers have instilled a belief in me since they’ve come in, not just me but everyone,” said the former Leicester City youngster.

“It’s a big motivation to have that sort of backing and it always helps.

“I think it gave everyone a lift and we were ultimately excited, when they walked through the door.

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“Every day is exciting, going into training and matchdays.

“They bring that positivity and players feed off that, we all bring energy and it shows in training and comes in the games, as well.

“We know what they’re about and there’s enough people in the game who know what they’re about.

“They want a never-say-die attitude and they want to make people feel good – players, staff, everyone.

“I think the second-half performance against Bradford and the second 60 minutes at Swindon is what they expect and we’ve now got to find a way of doing that from minute one until 90-plus minutes.

“There’s talent here, we know that – we’ve seen it at times, all season throughout the whole squad.

“We’ve now got to go and replicate that week in, week out and pick some results up and turn our season around.”

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Hopper and his Colchester team-mates are now preparing for Colchester’s important trip to play Salford City, on Friday night.

The U’s head to Moor Lane on the back of two successive draws and Hopper admits they must perform for the whole of the 90 minutes.

He added: “We’ve stuck in there in the draws we’ve had.

“We want to show what we’re capable of for 90 minutes not just in bursts and we’ll be working hard ready for Friday night.”