Colchester United fan Si Collinson gives his views on U's

But the weather had different ideas and with the cold spell hitting the country, the game was called off due to a frozen pitch.

No-one likes games being called off, but credit has to go to all involved at Salford and the way they handled it.

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A statement early in the week identified the approaching weather front and they kept fans updated on the situation; then when it was clear the weather would not improve, they took the initiative to postpone the game on Thursday afternoon.

Although it was disappointing, it did prevent fans from making the long journey for no football.

It may not mean much, but it is nice to see clubs putting common sense in place and taking this kind of approach.

This postponement, while not ideal for the U’s faithful hoping for their weekly Colchester fix, has allowed yet another week on the grass for Danny and Nicky to work their ideas and style into the players.

Plus, with the January window still open, it also gives them more time to assess what we need to improve the squad and who is available that ticks all the right boxes, then work to bring them in ready for the trip to Morecambe on Saturday.

When they took the job, they did say that although they are excited by what the club has to offer and the project it holds, there was a warning that it would not happen overnight.

Maybe this will all work out for our benefit, as along with all the above, it does also give our injured players more time to get fit and push for places in the squad.

READ MORE: Duo make welcome return from injury for Colchester United

So actually, in the grand scheme of things after all considered, this could well be the blessing in disguise that we need and luck has gone our way for once.

This, along with Forest Green playing and only drawing, also reduces their games in hand to one but with a six-point gap between us, so a small bit of breathing space gained there.

Not a bad weekend really, if you think about it like that.

I am fully aware this is all well and good saying all the positives that could come out of this and how it can benefit us and our march to EFL safety.

But – there is always a but – we need to ensure that we actually put this all into practice and really grab the opportunities presented.

This will all be for nothing if we fail to use the time wisely and go to Morecambe as the same old Col U.

We need more of the same from the Swindon game, rather than the first half against Bradford.

Intensity from the off needs to be high and the players showing they are fresh and hungry to get going again.

Then there's the make-or-break game against Forest Green at home, the following week.

After a 5-0 thrashing at their place, this is not only the classic bottom of the table six pointer, but also a game of pride. We need to beat them and do so convincingly.

Three points is a minimum, but on top of that we need to show everyone watching that we are a changed side, the new-look Colchester who are no longer sleepwalking to relegation but instead awake to the challenge and facing it eyes wide open and in a determined manner.

Up the U’s.