Five talking points from Colchester United's 3-0 win over Newport County

A pivotal time

COLCHESTER United’s players and staff aren’t talking publicly about the possibility of promotion at present, instead focusing on one game at a time.

But the U’s squad will surely have taken particular satisfaction not only from their excellent 3-0 win over Newport County but also the fact that other results elsewhere went for them.

John McGreal’s side are now back into the play-off positions with ten games of the League Two season, helped by both their own victory and defeats for rivals Forest Green Rovers and Exeter City – the two sides they play next.

It is certainly a pivotal time for Colchester, in their season-long promotion chase.

But at this stage, the U's are in control of their own destiny.

Big calls

JOHN McGreal made some big calls in picking his starting line-up for the Newport County game.

But the U’s head coach’s brave decision-making was rewarded with arguably one of his side’s best performances of the season.

Leaving skipper Luke Prosser out was a bold decision, as was playing Mikael Mandron in a number ten role and utilising Frank Nouble and Courtney Senior on the right and left flanks, respectively.

However, it could not have worked any better and McGreal deserves credit for the side he picked, given the U’s fine overall display.

Applause all round

YOU know when a player has performed particularly well when he earns applause from both sets of fans.

That’s exactly what happened with Frank Nouble and Courtney Senior, whose fine individual displays were acknowledged by both Colchester United and Newport County supporters.

U’s fans were unsurprisingly delighted to see their players perform so well and the travelling Exiles fans were sporting in recognising their big contribution in the game.

Indeed, Newport boss Michael Flynn was equally as complimentary afterwards, magnanimously admitting that his team were outplayed on the day.

Motivational quotes

COLCHESTER United were stung by the manner of their defeat at Swindon Town last weekend – so much so that boss John McGreal reminded them of it before their clash with Newport County.

“We just put a few quotes up on the board of what people were saying,” said McGreal, in reference to the criticism that came the U’s way following their 3-0 loss at the County Ground.

Colchester made mistakes in that defeat and that was acknowledged but that did not make them a bad side overnight.

Chilvers' call-up

HE faced a nervous few minutes on the touchline for the ball to go out of play, before running on for his senior Colchester United debut.

But U’s academy product Noah Chilvers will feel it was well worth the wait, after becoming the latest player from the club’s youth set-up to be step up to the senior ranks.

Chilvers was in the fortunate position of coming on in a game which had long since been won by his side.

But the teenage midfielder did not let anyone down and looked composed and confident, in the short time that he was on the pitch.