Winless run is a "weight" on U's shoulders

9:29am Monday 24th September 2012 in Sport By Jonathan Waldron

Under pressure - Colchester United manager John Ward has vowed to continue to try and turn his side's flagging fortunes. Picture: STEVE BRADING (CO53074-02) Under pressure - Colchester United manager John Ward has vowed to continue to try and turn his side's flagging fortunes. Picture: STEVE BRADING (CO53074-02)

Embattled John Ward will continue to try and turn Colchester United ’s flagging fortunes around – unless he is told otherwise.

The U’s sorry start to the season hit another low when they were beaten 1-0 at Scunthorpe United.

Colchester have failed to win any of their opening eight matches in League One so far, marking the U’s worst start to a campaign in the club’s 75-year history.

Pressure is mounting on Ward and he admitted that going so long without a win is weighing heavily on his and his players’ shoulders.

But the U’s boss insisted he is concentrating on working with his team at Florence Park this week to try and lift them up the table.

Ward said: “You just have to get on with things – you have no choice.

“Unless someone else tells me I’m not doing it, I’ll be back in and getting on with preparing for the next football match.

“It’s going to be a hard week but football’s like that when you lose on a Saturday.

“I’ve been down there once or twice in my career but not as long as this.

“Not winning a game becomes a bit of a weight on us.

“We have to try hard as a staff to not let that get too heavy.

“I’m not panicking about the start but I do concern myself about it.

“If I panic I think that’s being irrational and I don’t think that’s the way I can be with this group of people.

“They’re looking for me for some leadership and I have to try and stay the same and controlled as much as I can.

“It’s not easy sometimes but in the main, I’m trying to do that.”

See Monday's Gazette for a full report, pictures and more reaction to Colchester United's game at Scunthorpe United.

Comments(12)

Surb says...
10:07am Mon 24 Sep 12

“Unless someone else tells me I’m not doing it, I’ll be back in and getting on with preparing for the next football match."

YOU'RE NOT DOING IT. PLEASE LEAVE

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crazy comments says...
10:11am Mon 24 Sep 12

When things go wrong its hard to put things right. I have been in that position myself in business a few times and in all honest it hurts inside and you have no one on the outside to help. My honest advice to John is to go and sit up in the stands during the game on Saturday. Let Joe Dunne take the touchline and take of some of the pressure. I am sure you will then get a different picture of things by watching the game from the stands. John you now need to be brave. Do what many people have said on this site by playing three men up front. I would drop defintley drop Wordsworth, Henderson and Dugard and bring in John White, Hamilton ,and Drey Wright. In the position we find ourselves in,you must change tactics and at least give it a try. I know its nice to play football by passing and keeping it on the ground, but its not working in our favour at the present moment. I'm not happy but I will still be there on Saturday shouting my head off.

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Bampotonian says...
10:34am Mon 24 Sep 12

Well said Crazy – I'm not sure I would have your patience & understanding though. When someone simply refuses to change tactics and they're not working surely it's time for them to bow out...

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Banbury U says...
10:38am Mon 24 Sep 12

Agree Crazy. Although not sure JW will enjoy the experience either the football on display or the proximity to his harshest critics.

“It’s going to be a hard week but football’s like that when you lose on a Saturday"
Replace with "EVERY Saturday"!!

I won't add to the clamour of Ward out as that is down to RC and the board. I am only able to give support to the team that goes out on the pitch. However, whilst it is admirable to stick to your footballing principles, it must be clear that the way you want these players to play is just not working at all and change is required. Different tactics, different personnel. This is the simple truth. You don't have 4 points from 8 games just because officials decisions are going against you. We are a relegation form team and until that way we play changes the form will continue.

As for the Ward out brigade, I saw one nutter's comments on a different article about getting in Curbishley - are you in cloud cuckoo land??!!! How on earth would that be affordable and why would he come to Col U? Please people, if there are calls for Ward's head then please come up with sensible alternatives!!

Up the U's.

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NOTTHEREALNORM says...
10:48am Mon 24 Sep 12

OK - the U's players are not getting the results they consider their efforts merit so they say. Well do something about! Put in a good work shift which produces a convincing win, the club needs it, the true supporters need it and they need it to prove they are worth the contracts they have. Irrespective of what manager is in charge, and some very stupid suggestions have been made as to a replacement, it is the players that kick the ball and it is them that are currently letting the club, the manager and the supporters down. I sometimes wonder just how some of the commenters on here would fare if their activities at work were put under a microscope yet they feel free to berate all and sundry at a few key presses.

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NOTTHEREALNORM says...
10:48am Mon 24 Sep 12

OK - the U's players are not getting the results they consider their efforts merit so they say. Well do something about! Put in a good work shift which produces a convincing win, the club needs it, the true supporters need it and they need it to prove they are worth the contracts they have. Irrespective of what manager is in charge, and some very stupid suggestions have been made as to a replacement, it is the players that kick the ball and it is them that are currently letting the club, the manager and the supporters down. I sometimes wonder just how some of the commenters on here would fare if their activities at work were put under a microscope yet they feel free to berate all and sundry at a few key presses.

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myhouse3 says...
11:17am Mon 24 Sep 12

I hope John Ward can turn our season round but so differcult to see a goal coming and even harder a win. Biggest problem there is no real tactics in place not only that half the side are not fit to play league 1 football as for morrison crazy you are so right when we signed i expected so much from him i would call him a lazy cart horse who is not going yo lead our frontline ok might score a few if somebody is laying them off for him to do the business but sorry to say cant see that happening with present tactics. As for super w id like to tell him i care as much about col u as he does and your the dude mate for being wards relation and happy for this dreadful situation to linger on till there is no return for us. COME ON COHESTER UNITED GET THAT FIRST WIN WITH OR WITHOUT WARD.

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Feisty CBC says...
11:20am Mon 24 Sep 12

No ifs or buts, one win in 22 just doesn't cut it in this or any other league. We need a manager with fire in his belly. Not someone who gets the strop when BBC Essex ask him pertinent questions about the teams performance.

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We're not singing anymore!!! says...
11:55am Mon 24 Sep 12

Finally, an article from JW that doesn't make me want to scream.

However, Wycombe have sacked their manager after a poor run and they haven't waited another six weeks to make that decision.

Why is it so stupid that Curbishley couldn't be the next manager. Did anyone expect Lambert or Aidy to be our manager ? Ok the expense is one issue but who's to say that RC wouldn't be interested.

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Banbury U says...
12:14pm Mon 24 Sep 12

On your point we're not singing, no disrespect to you squire, but you cannot possibly be serious in comparing Paul Lambert or Aidy Boothroyd with Alan Curbishley in terms of reputation and stature within the game!!! Once either of those gents have sucessfully managed premiership clubs for over a decade then there may be some comparison to be drawn.
It goes without saying RC would love to have him at the helm but that's like saying we would love to have Jordan Rhodes up front i.e. not realistic!!!

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Originally from ... says...
1:32pm Mon 24 Sep 12

I would never join the general clamour to suggest that someone is sacked; who are we to put someone out of work. But with performances and results like this I do see why fans get frustrated and understand their anger. I am a lifelong fan (first game 1960) and 6 years ago saw the club reach the dizzy heights of the second tier, which to be honest I never thought would happen, we had a new ground coming as well. Plus a board who were respected and forward thinking. Everything was great - what has gone so wrong to see us potentially on the brink of back to the 4th tier just 6 years later????????

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Finchy74 says...
1:49pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Orginally from...what has gone wrong?!

Well to start with we were relegated the same season we moved to the new stadium which we have then failed to even half fill season after season since. We have relied on being bank rolled by RC, which he has already declared cannot continue to happen. Therefore we have to make good what we have and realise our place in the football hierachy. With local people continuing to be pulled to London clubs and not showing proper support we will always struggle.

That said I have been to many games this season and the complete lack of ambition and drive in Ward's selection is very worrying. All of this will only add to reduced crowds and if we dont react quickly could spiral out of control!!!

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