Colchester United defender Ben Goodliffe has made a clear commitment to give his all whenever called upon by manager Danny Cowley.
The 25-year-old centre-back, who recently returned to the starting line-up for the U’s EFL Trophy clash with Leyton Orient, scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw, reminding everyone of his potential impact. After finding himself out of the team for two consecutive matches, Goodliffe is now eager to nail down a permanent spot.
Goodliffe’s performance against Leyton Orient, which included a crucial defensive block in the latter stages of the match, demonstrated his value on both ends of the pitch. Reflecting on his return, the former Sutton United player expressed his determination to be ready when called upon by Cowley. “Every player obviously wants to play football and I’m one of them. I’ll always give my all when I’m called upon,” Goodliffe said. “It’s obviously the manager’s decision to pick the team and I’ve just got to make sure that I’m in the right frame of mind and giving it my all and my best”
The summer signing made the most of his opportunity at Brisbane Road, capitalising on Jack Payne’s free-kick that hit the crossbar to score the equaliser in the 79th minute. His solid defensive display and timely goal may boost his chances of being in Colchester’s next starting XI.
Goodliffe’s Focus on Defensive Contributions
While scoring the equaliser was a highlight for Goodliffe, the defender takes pride in his defensive duties, celebrating a late block just as much as his goal. “It felt good, especially so late in the game, and I celebrated it – I can’t lie!” he said. His teammates recognised his contribution, as the team worked hard to maintain the draw with Leyton Orient.
Goodliffe’s commitment to keeping clean sheets is evident, with Colchester recording three shutouts so far this season. He acknowledges the need for the team to improve defensively but remains focused on making contributions at both ends of the pitch. “We have three clean sheets now this season, and it’s something that we need to be better at, but it’s nice to get a goal at the other end and that helps,” he added.
With a ten-day break before Colchester’s next game against Cheltenham Town, Goodliffe and his teammates have time to recharge and regroup. The defender sees this as an opportunity to return with a fully fit squad and build on their recent run of form, where the team has lost just once in their last nine matches.
Our View
Ben Goodliffe’s determination and commitment to the team are exactly what Colchester United need during this busy period. His defensive prowess, combined with his ability to contribute in attack, makes him a versatile asset for manager Danny Cowley. While he may have been out of the starting line-up in recent games, his goalscoring return against Leyton Orient has undoubtedly strengthened his case for more regular inclusion.
Goodliffe’s pledge to always give 100% is a refreshing attitude in modern football, where squad rotation and competition for places are commonplace. His humility in celebrating a defensive block as much as a goal shows that he understands the importance of the basics of defending, which is crucial for Colchester’s long-term ambitions.
As Colchester look to turn their recent draws into wins, having committed players like Goodliffe will be essential. With the U’s still in with a chance to progress in the EFL Trophy, Goodliffe’s passion and work ethic will undoubtedly play a key role in their success. If he continues to perform at this level, it’s hard to see him being left out of the side in the coming weeks.
