Colchester United boss Tony Humes says his side will head into their game at Rochdale with a positive attitude.

The U’s travel up to Spotland looking for a response, following back-to-back defeats in League One.

Colchester, who will train at Bolton Wanderers’ training ground today in preparation for the match, are two points adrift of safety and need a win to boost their chances of survival.

But they will come up against a Rochdale side who will be in confident mood, following their 4-0 thrashing of Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday night.

However, Humes said: “They are a positive group, albeit very disappointed when we lose games as we all are.

“But they bounce back very well.

“They get on with it and have trained well, looking at what we will face against Rochdale on Saturday.

“There’s no point being down in the dumps and coming in downhearted because that’s giving the wrong message out to the players whether it’s from myself or the players.

“We have to lift them.

“We have done that all season and we have bounced back on many occasions so we have to go into the Rochdale game with a positive attitude.”

Humes says he will consider his tactics and personnel today, ahead of the Rochdale clash.

The U’s, who will be once again without the injured Tom Lapslie, have adopted a 4-4-2 formation in recent games.

“We will look at the best way to go and play against Rochdale,” said Humes, who has left Sean Clohessy and Sanchez Watt out of his squad for this weekend’s game.

“That may mean a little tweak with one or two players.

“We’ll look at the formation and structure we need for Saturday.

“They are an energetic team and that is their strength.

“That’s how they’ve had their success this season as they have really worked their socks off.

“They play the ball forward quite early because their pitch isn’t the best with rugby being played on it as well.

"But they back it up very well with energetic young players, players who are hungry to succeed.

“The given in any match is that you have to match the opposition in terms of effort and work rate and you hope on the day that you have the quality to create opportunities.”

Colchester are likely to come up against two of their former players tomorrow.

Michael Rose has been a regular in the Dale defence, while Ian Henderson has scored 15 goals so far this season.

Humes added: “Ian has done well and fits their profile well – he’s a very effective player.”

For a three-page preview of the U’s game at Rochdale, see Friday’s Daily Gazette.