Colchester United season-ticket holder Si Collinson's views on the U's

SO what is next for the U's and us merry band of supporters?

Well, the most pressing matters are the two upcoming games over the Easter weekend.

Grimsby Town at home is always a key fixture from personal pride as a close friend will be in the away end - to the victor will go the bragging rights.

But beyond that we need to really be aiming not only to win both games but to do it as a team playing like we know they can, scoring goals without conceding - playing as a unit and stopping basic individual errors.

The travelling away contingent of U's fans made the long trip up to Bury last Saturday to see if we could keep our play-off hopes alive.

After the midweek results and Exeter City losing their game in hand, it really was all to play for.

In a promising first half, we played some decent football and looked in control of the game going into the break.

Sadly a couple of moments of individual errors in the second half cost us not only the game but also spelt the end of the realistic play-off hopes.

The travelling fans this season have followed the lads up and down the country in all weathers.

Whatever has transpired on the pitch, on the whole - always a few exceptions to any rule - have sung and supported to the bitter end.

But sadly this 12th man super human effort for which can only be commended was not enough.

Bury have had more than their fair share of issues, as I mentioned in last week's column.

But what was apparent on Saturday was these issue have brought the players closer together - the solidarity of striking until support staff were paid seems to have had an unexpected secondary bonus.

The Shakers' XI on the pitch played for one another, never giving up hope and really giving their all.

That is to be commended, not matter how much the result hurt us but the fact they have faced such adversity with such togetherness was impressive.

How many of us would be able to do our jobs as well with pay issues and bills hanging over us?

Let's aim to finish the season on a high, supporting the lads to the final game at Lincoln City.

Then, the season de-brief and post-mortem can begin and I have no doubt it will be long and in-depth.

Until then, let's see the season out, hopefully with improved performances and maybe a chance for the younger lads to step up and sate their case for the 19/20 season.