Colchester United were beaten at Walsall in League Two

A late brace from substitute Jack Earing following goals from Jamie Jellis and substitute Albert Adomah condemned the U's to defeat, at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

Here are five observations from Colchester's disappointing loss at the hands of the Saddlers.

Paying the price

COLCHESTER United came away from the Poundland Bescot Stadium empty handed.

But unlike Morecambe a fortnight before, there wasn’t a feeling of being short changed; more a case of it ultimately being a pretty wasted trip where there was no freebie in sight.

Colchester were the better side in the first half hour of this game at high-flying Walsall and they looked like the team riding high in League Two.

READ MORE: Colchester United player ratings after defeat at Walsall

But the clinical Saddlers did not really look back once Jamie Jellis had fired them ahead with a well-taken goal, shortly before half-time.

And even though it took the hosts until the 79th minute to double their lead, it was a flat second-half display by the U’s compounded by substitute Jack Earing’s late double.

The final scoreline flattered Walsall but in the end, Colchester were well beaten.

“In the second half, I didn’t like us at all,” admitted Colchester boss Danny Cowley afterwards.

“We were devoid of personality and just let the game drift and it was frustrating, as I thought the game was there for us.”

Sadly, the only consistent thing about Colchester’s results at the moment is that they are inconsistent.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

As good as the U’s comprehensive 3-0 triumph over Tranmere Rovers was last weekend, it was long forgotten by the time their players trudged off the field at Walsall and that needs to improve.

Big loss

OWURA Edwards was arguably Colchester United’s best player against Walsall so it was pretty detrimental to them when he limped off in the early stages of the second half.

The in-form winger had caused Saddlers’ right-back Connor Barrett plenty of problems in the first half and it proved an effective channel for the U’s.

Colchester missed his attacking threat when he departed and also looked more vulnerable, defensively.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Barrett was able to exploit space in the Colchester final third that was not there before and had a big hand in Walsall’s second goal when he was able to cut inside and advance into the area before picking out Albert Adomah in the six-yard box.

Away-day concessions

DANNY Cowley is not used to his sides conceding multiple goals in games, during his successful managerial career.

So the U’s head coach will be concerned at the goals against column currently residing alongside Colchester United’s name in the League Two table.

Only three teams have conceded more than the 14 goals the U’s have shipped in the division, so far.

The majority of those goals – 12 – have come away from home, with Colchester conceding three goals or more in three of their four games on the road, so far.

READ MORE: Walsall boss Mat Sadler's verdict on win over Colchester

Needless to say, such statistics do not form a solid platform for securing points on their travels and the goals conceded at Walsall did not make for pretty viewing, for the U’s.

“We’ve conceded four goals and we’ve now conceded four twice this season and a three,” said Cowley.

“I’m not used to my teams doing that and it was a reckless way that we conceded the goals.”

Sadler's compliment

MAT Sadler’s main satisfaction after seeing his Walsall side beat Colchester United to go top of the League Two table, for a few hours at least, was claiming another victory.

But the Saddlers boss was also particularly pleased to stifle the U’s attack, which he holds in high regard.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“I don't think you'll come up against too many better attacking front fours than what Colchester have got in the division, I really don't,” said Sadler, after Walsall became only the second team this season to prevent the U’s from scoring in a League Two game.

Sadler highlighted the attacking threat of Lyle Taylor, Samson Tovide, Owura Edwards and Jack Payne in the U’s side and it is testament to his team’s defensive shape that they limited the visitors to few clearcut opportunities.

READ MORE: Danny Cowley's verdict on Colchester's defeat at Walsall

Colchester’s best chance of the contest came midway through the first half when Tovide did brilliantly to get the better of defender Harry Williams and race into the area but saw his attempted cross blocked, with Taylor and Edwards lurking.

But that was pretty much as good as it got for the U’s, on what was a disappointing away day.

Fan backing

MORE than 350 loyal Colchester fans had set their alarm clocks for an early start on Saturday morning to watch their team in their lunchtime game at Walsall.

By the end of the game, they probably wished they had not bothered but to their credit, the vast majority of them stayed behind and applauded Danny Cowley and his players at the final whistle.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

That was telling; it shows that they are still fully behind their team and perhaps illustrated that they know that this is still early days for this new-look U’s side, following all of the playing changes that have taken place at the JobServe Community Stadium over the summer months.

Nevertheless, they will be expecting much more from their team when they are next in action at Port Vale, on Tuesday night.