Jon Waldron: My views on the U's (From Essex County Standard)

Jon Waldron: My views on the U's

4:57pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Sport By Jonathan Waldron

Clinton Morrison would probably be the first person to admit that things have not gone as well as he would have liked at Colchester United.

But the veteran striker’s key contribution over recent games may just have made up for any disappointment he may have over his U’s career so far.

Morrison had been the fanfare signing of the summer for Colchester, for whom signing experienced international strikers is not exactly a frequent past-time.

He had plenty of expectation laid on his shoulders particularly after the U’s poor start to the season, a run of results that ultimately cost the man who signed Morrison – John Ward – his job.

Under Joe Dunne, Ward’s successor, Morrison has often had to play second fiddle behind the likes of Jabo Ibehre and Freddie Sears and has spent his fair share of the campaign on the bench.

Indeed, the Republic of Ireland international’s dismissal in a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game at Northampton Town in the early weeks of Dunne’s reign as U’s boss hardly helped his cause.

But despite the setbacks, the likeable Morrison has remained committed to the cause both on and off the pitch.

And it seems he is now beginning to reap the benefits of his dedication.

The influence Morrison has had on the U’s over recent weeks has been considerable, particularly in the absence of fellow strikers Ibehre and Sears. And his excellent winning goal at Bury, only his second for Colchester, was just reward for the amount of hard work and effort the former Crystal Palace and Birmingham City forward has put in.

At times at Gigg Lane, Morrison acted as Dunne’s manager on the pitch.

He took time to help guide the club’s younger players through what proved to be an extremely testing match, while at the same time concentrating on his own game.

That was evidence of a player who has played at the top level.

And if Morrison can succeed in his mission to help keep Colchester in League One, his first season for the U’s might not be such a disappointment after all.