COLCHESTER UNITED SUPPORTERS' ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN JON BURNS DELIVERS HIS EXCLUSIVE WEEKLY COLUMN IN THE STANDARD WITH HIS VIEWS OF THE U's: IT’S been a tough week for the U’s supporters – and that’s an understatement.

For the long-serving fans and those connected to the club over the years, the loss of U’s legend Reg Stewart was particularly sad (see this week's Essex County Standard for tributes).

Reg was our first captain in the Football League and to think what stories he could tell of the beautiful game from the 1950s.

I was lucky enough to see him on occasions in recent years and really picked up on the pride he felt to be a part of the U’s.

A true gentleman who will be sorely missed.

Now, I had a real buzz going into last Saturday. Another home win was all I could see happening, but the dream was shattered after half an hour.

I suspect that my feelings are the same as yours about the refereeing decisions that looked harsh at best for David Mooney.

Let’s just say that it was a good thing that the same referee wasn’t doing the Liverpool v Manchester United game because it would have ended six-a-side.

It was a huge blow, but on the plus side the ten men did us proud. We had fire in our bellies and we play well when we have.

The better team on the day lost.

Henderson was all over their left-back, and John White and Ben Coker not only defended their guts out, but also did well going forward.

I thought our supporters were fantastic.

An absolutely cracking atmosphere which really helped the players.

I wouldn’t be surprised if that performance added a few to the 500+ who went to Dagenham on Tuesday. Now if you could see two extremes of football it would be these last two games.

The U’s were quite dreadful and couldn’t repay the support they received.

We looked soft at times and full of mistakes. I’m not saying that Dagenham were that great but we looked experts at giving the ball away.

Although it was a defensive mistake that led to their goal, I really feel sorry for our back four because it kept on coming back at them. Apparently London Airport had to re-route several flights because the ball was launched into the night sky so often!

For some supporters it was too much to take. Others still applauded the team off the pitch, but there was feeling in the boos that came from sections of the U’s crowd.

We’re in a democracy so I’m not going to tell people what to do, but in my opinion, it doesn’t help anyone.

It also doesn’t help when one or two follow the ‘sack the manager’ disease that is rife in the current game. Please, please, please do not go down this route.

Yes, there are certain aspects that could have been better, but we all make mistakes.

I know we all spend good money to watch them play and that money is not exactly growing on trees at the moment, but I would recommend patience. It’s not as if we’ve had an awful season folks.

Enough said on this for now. I’m concentrating on tomorrow when we’ll have to raise our game for the visit of MK Dons.

Hopefully John Ward will have found attacking cover or even perhaps recalled young Freddie Lapado.

For some, the play-off hopes have all but gone and maybe they have, but I still want to watch each and every game.

Remember, it’s never over until it’s over.

Up the U’s!