Banter with Burns with Colchester United Supporters Association chairman Jon Burns

It will be so good to be back at the Jobserve Community Stadium again tomorrow.

It seems like an eternity since the U’s last played.

Lowly Macclesfield look like being easy pickings but I personally don’t think they will be.

Best not discount the Sol Campbell effect as he tries to drag them off the bottom of League Two and expect to see a few more long lenses as his presence will no doubt ramp up the media interest.

On the positive side though, the fixture provides the U’s with a massive chance to reinforce their top-three berth.

Points-wise the table is pretty tight and to start a busy festive month with a good win would be brilliant.

Looking back at the past month, it was great to see Sammie Szmodics nominated for the League Two player of the month award for November, even though he didn't win it.

Sammie had a great month and in the absence of Norris, his goals have put the U’s right up there but it’s not just his goals.

He seems to have taken on most responsibility around the pitch - he’s certainly more involved now and definitely wanting to be so much more than just a link man with the number nine.

As I mentioned with Frankie Kent last week, Sammie will no doubt be on the radar of clubs further up the football pyramid.

I think back a few years and the youth team we had.

Alex Gilbey moved away and has done very well despite some bad injuries.

Drey Wright, now sadly injured again, has brightened up the Scottish Premiership while Sammie’s old strike partner, Macauley Bonne, decided on a step back with Orient and is now being rumoured to be on the shortlist of a few top clubs.

There’s no way on earth that I would want Sammie to go anywhere but I think we have to be prepared for the fact that come January there will be even more attention on our players given the U’s excellent season.

Money does talk, even when you are fighting for promotion.

Back to the football and strap yourselves in for six big games in just four weeks.

Hopefully Luke Norris and Tom Eastman will be back with us during that period to bolster the squad that will need to be at its very best.

I have long thought that this time of year can be a sticky period for the U’s.

In certain past seasons, we have powered down a fraction.

Let’s do that this time please.

Good luck tomorrow U’s and thanks for your support as always.

Jon Burns, Colchester United Supporters Association chairman