Colchester United fan Si Collinson gives his U's views

While there has been plenty of the normal football conversations, two issues have sadly cropped up, both of which should not be making the headlines and detracting from the game we all love.

The first is the ongoing standard of officiating within this country.

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I believe that Danny Cowley was correct in his post-match interview recently when he said that the officials need to be supported more and be able to make this their full-time occupation.

They are under scrutiny so much more in this day and age, and it is only fair that they are able to perform to their best.

Having a 9-5 job and then having to get to a ground and be 100 per cent is a big ask.

Plus, we all know the game at every level can not take place without them, so why not have a pathway in place to allow young officials more of a chance to progress under guidance, in a appropriately-paid system?

(Image: MATT WILKINSON)

The second and more serious issue was the reported racist language allegedly aimed at one of our players during the Accrington game, which overshadowed the hard-won point.

There has been plenty been said on social media about it but the bottom line is that football is and must be for ALL.

It is so disappointing that in this day and age, racism is still rife and people have not dragged themselves out of the mud and into the modern world.

Samson Tovide - all the U’s fans are behind you and we must work to eradicate this from our beloved game.

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I do not like to be negative, but these things need to be given voice and hopefully encourage more fans to speak out and report behaviour.

The EFL Cup game was a close run thing against Brentford and although there were several decisions that went against us, we did have our chances.

Had that missed penalty been scored, then I do feel we would have gone on to win it.

But of course, that was not the case and so we quickly reset the focus to Accrington.

(Image: MATT WILKINSON)

The game up at the Wham Stadium was a typical League Two contest, lots of long balls and physical tackles.

We were nowhere near the levels we have seen under the Cowley brothers and looked very lethargic, no doubt a result of the levels we played at against Brentford along with little recovery time, followed by a long journey up north.

While we were not at our best, we were relieved at the final whistle to be coming away with a point.

The games sandwiched the window shutting and while it was not the most hectic of deadline days, we did have a few more players in who will hopefully strengthen the weaker areas of the squad.

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There was also one surprise, the departure of young Bradley Ihionvien to Peterborough on a permanent basis.

This is a great bit of business for the club and for the player's development.

You can't begrudge him a move up to a higher division, but with the lack of firepower we have in the squad, you have to wonder if it was the right move.

I am sure Danny and Nicky know what they are doing and personally, I wish Brad all the best in his move and hope he goes on to reach the heights he deserves.

Thoughts now turn to Saturday's visit of newly-promoted Bromley, a challenging team who have adapted to Football League life very well.

But as long as we can return to the levels we saw against Harrogate and Brentford, plus be more clinical in front of goal, there is no reason we cannot be three points better off this time, next week.

Up the U’s.