You can usually tell when a football manager is seriously contemplating change when he candidly reveals his intentions without being prompted.

That was the case with Colchester United manager Tony Humes in the aftermath of their 2-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers, his side’s third straight away loss.

Humes openly revealed he is thinking about changing their style of play away from the Weston Homes Community Stadium, in a bid to rectify their form on their travels.

The U’s boss was actually responding to a question asked about his side’s performance in the opening third of the League One season when he surprised the listening press by talking about the possibility of adopting a different approach, on the road.

It is not difficult though to see why Humes’ is considering such changes.

Colchester have conceded 11 goals and struggled for goals in their last three away games, with main attacking trio Marvin Sordell, Callum Harriott and George Moncur failing to score in that time.

With things seemingly not working the way he would like at either end of the pitch in recent away matches, perhaps therefore it is little wonder that Humes is thinking this way.

But what are his options? Of course, there is the traditional 4-4-2 approach which would suit Chris Porter when he returns from his knee injury and help provide some much-needed additional defensive cover.

However, fielding a four-man midfield could mean the creative Moncur missing out.

Alternatively, a 4-4-1-1 system could see Moncur playing behind Sordell but that might be to the attacking detriment of the Harriott, who may well be asked to fulfil more of a defensive commitment to cover his full-back.

Humes’ first team is at the top of a structure that sees the U’s various age groups primarily adopt a universal 4-3-3 system; to make any alterations to such a committed philosophy would be significant.

And inevitably, Colchester may lose something from other areas by tweaking their style of play.

But if changes are not made, they run the risk of their poor away form continuing and becoming something that undermines their good work this season.

Time will tell but how Humes sets his team up for their FA Cup tie at Wealdstone on Saturday will perhaps give a clearer indication of the approach he might adopt, in the coming weeks.

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.