Colchester United fan Si Collinson with his views on the U's

FOOTBALL is so much more than a game; it is a passion and a way of life.

It throws up all emotions and that is why we love it, but following Colchester United is not for the faint hearted, that is for sure.

However, a last-minute goal away from home followed by a convincing win midweek does lessen the pain a tad.

READ MORE: Lyle Taylor hands U's a boost ahead of Bradford City clash 

While it is never easy to leave established players out of a starting XI, it will be interesting to see how we line up against Bradford City, on Saturday.

As we know, our League Two form has been shy on the wins front and Tuesday night against Arsenal U21’s showed that there are a number of players who should be knocking on Danny's door.

Oscar Thorn and Mandela Egbo should be certain to start as they showed the attacking prowess we need, along with defensive work rate and a passion to get stuck in.

Plus, personally I do not think Tom Smith has done himself any harm, between the sticks - he was calm, confident, commanded his box and when called into action, was up to the task.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

The win over Arsenal's youngsters followed our 1-1 draw at Barrow, last weekend.

It's not exactly the first game that you tend to look for on fixture release day, but a game that has to be played nonetheless.

Let's just say, I don't think it's a place that people tend to visit unless there is a reason but of course, football is always a reason to travel anywhere and the U’s faithful were there to get behind the lads.

While it wasn't a game that will be remembered alongside any classics, if you had offered us a point when our 6am alarms went off, I am sure everyone would have been more than happy to accept.

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So, while we arrived hoping that is would not be a wasted trip, there was the worry that given recent results this could be an exceptionally long day out with little to cheer.

When some poor defending somehow resulted in us falling behind after a counter attack from our own corner there was frustration but also a sense of ‘oh well, we expected as much’ from the travelling fans.

But all this was forgotten when substitute Samson Tovide, back from injury, beat his man and calmly passed the ball into the path of Lyle Taylor to fire home a last-gasp equaliser.

The away end erupted in celebration and suddenly all the hours in the car and the frustrations of the game evaporated.

What had seemed like a long slog home was suddenly no different to popping round the corner!

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

The feeling made it all worthwhile; granted, a winner would have been better, but at the moment beggars can't be choosers, and we all came away happy.

Of course, one away draw at Barrow does not get away from the fact that our season is not going to plan and we are sitting at the wrong end of the table but it did make the long hours travelling worth it on the day.

If you look at it objectively, the life of an away-following football fan does seem complete madness, if explained to someone not invested in the game.

Using the Barrow game as an example, we travelled for more than 11 hours and more than 600 miles in a car to watch 22 men run around after a ball for 90 minutes.

READ MORE: Mandela Egbo eyes more goals after breaking scoring duck

Even writing this makes it seem ludicrous and I can see why people do scratch their heads and think we are frankly mad to do what we do.

But, that is before they understand what an away day is to those who travel week in, week out.

Yes, the football is the reason we go, but that is only one small part of it.

It's also the laughs in the car, the random places you end up, the jokes and frustrations shared.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

It's so much more than what goes on out on the pitch and why we continue to do it, but of course a few wins here and there would not go amiss.

There is no doubt that this season is not going to plan and the memories of the first few games seem very distant now.

Tovide getting an assist for the equaliser last Saturday showed how much he has been missed and the effect his presence has on the team.

We can only hope that Edwards and Bishop are not too far away from their return and that they will have the same positive impact on the side when fit.

We have a depleted squad at the moment and their return can not come quick enough.

Given that Anthony Scully has returned to his parent club Portsmouth for evaluation on his ankle, we are lucky that Lyle Taylor has decided against international duty as losing him as well would have left us very light on the attacking front, this weekend.

The January transfer window is on the horizon and is one where we will need to box very clever.

We need to strengthen in areas and get the homework done early to get players in, if available; that way, we can use them from the off, rather than losing another month trying to get last-minute deals over the line. Up the U's.