Colchester United supporter Si Collinson gives his U's views

But on Saturday, there was very little to find anything to raise the mood on the long trip back home to Essex from Morecambe, down the seemingly never-ending M6.

Once again, we were left scratching our heads about what we had seen.

READ MORE: Colchester's mentality must be stronger after Morecambe draw

The first 20 minutes were poor, and we did not look composed at all.

This was compounded when the hosts scored their first goal of the season on 17 minutes.

This did seem to cause us to wake up and with Owura Edwards, proving why it was right for him to be starting, headed home an equaliser just before half-time from a free-kick he had also won.

It looked like we had weathered the storm, especially as we knew we were starting the next 45, not only on level terms, but also against a side that was down to ten men and had had their manager sent to the stands.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)The second half started really well. Both Samson Tovide and Lyle Taylor hit the back of the net after some well worked play, opening their accounts for the season.

This left us with just under 26 minutes to play 3-1 up against ten men in a game we looked relaxed and controlled in.

Bearing in mind that before this game, Morecambe had failed to score a single goal in any of their opening five matches, it should have been done and dusted.

However inexcusably this was not the case and we let this lead slip in the last seven minutes of the game.

While Morecambe deserve credit for fighting to the end, we have to look much closer to home as to what went wrong and frankly, we only have ourselves to blame for this collapse.

READ MORE: Colchester's youngsters are beaten at home by Hull City

The first was a soft penalty; we can moan about the decision, but we played ourselves in to a spot where that challenge went in.

We should have been able to deal with it better and look to force their player wide though body position, rather than a rushed tackle.

Even at 3-2 with five minutes to go, the win should still be in our hands.

But once again the lack of clinical efficiency in front of goal was laid bare, with what will no doubt be the miss of the season.

Take this chance and it is 4-2, game over.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL) But it was as if Morecambe sensed we were on the edge of imploding and they pushed us back.

They got their reward due to some poor positioning on our part.

A failure to pick up their players in midfield gave them the space to have a shot that we helped on by deflecting home for and own goal, dropping two points that should have been ours.

There is a lot to unpick from the rubble of the result. Game management was poor, as was defensive decision making.

We are unable to take our opportunities and for some reason, seem to have a fear of taking half chances to shoot and would rather play the ball around the edge of the box, rather than taking a chance and testing the keeper.

READ MORE: Danny Cowley proud of U's fans' support of Samson Tovide

It's like at times we're looking for good goals, rather than any goal.

While there was some good football at times and the ideas are there, it will all be for nothing unless we can make it stick for the whole 90 minutes and see games out.

There are no points for playing well. I think most fans would take a scrappy 1-0 win over a game we lose or draw but play well in.

That is not to say there were no positives, it was just they were heavily overshadowed by other events.

Edwards played well and was a consistent threat. Taylor and Tovide have started to click and were a handful for the home defence especially in the second half.

You could point to the removal of Edwards and Taylor as the event that started the afternoon's downfall.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

However, the greatest impact from a U's player on Saturday afternoon was, I feel, from Lyle Taylor and his very open and honest post-match interview, where he spoke very well and highlighting what the fans were saying and not shying away from responsibility, they as players must take.

It was very refreshing to hear this and the fans believe what he says, as he backs his words with actions.

Fingers crossed the rest of the group do as well, as we need to start getting wins.

Tomorrow night will be a good test for players on the fringe of the squad to lay a marker down and show why they should be in the matchday 16 when we play MK Dons, in the EFL Trophy.

I'm hoping this will give Danny and Nicky some selection headaches (of the good sort) so there is a strong combative element to the squad on Saturday when we host Tranmere Rovers, in the league.

We are close to it all clicking and let's hope this weekend is much better and it is the type of performance we expect and know this squad can produce. Up the U’s.