Colchester United chairman Robbie Cowling is “hugely impressed” by the start made by Aidy Boothroyd.

Boothroyd has been in charge of the U’s for little more than a month.

But he has already led them on a six-match unbeaten run and guided them to fourth place in Coca-Cola League One.

Cowling has complimented Boothroyd on his astute loan signings.

And he is particularly pleased with the U’s recent home form, which has seen them win their last three games at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Cowling told the Gazette: “We have an outstanding manager in Aidy.

“When he applied for the job, we felt that he was the stand-out candidate.

“And he is proving to be a stand-out manager, as we expected.

“We were hugely impressed when he applied and we’re hugely impressed now.

“We have seen individual players who were in the squad get another chance like Phil Ifil, Medy Elito and John White.

“And the loan players he has brought in have so far all been excellent.

“It’s sometimes difficult for a manager when he comes in after the season has started but the club did well to get Aidy.

“It’s early days yet and we will have bad spells.

“But what’s been really great is to see the improvement in the home form.”

All three of the loanees signed by Boothroyd have made a positive impression for Colchester.

John-Joe O’Toole, Kayode Odejayi and Danny Batth have all shone for the U’s over the last few weeks.

Batth’s one-month loan spell from Wolverhampton Wanderers is due to expire at the end of next week.

“It’s too early to say whether we can keep any of the loan players,” added Cowling.

“But we have a very good relationship with the clubs who have loaned them out.

“Aidy and his coaching staff have great contacts within the game and we will try and utilise that as much as we can.”