Colchester United manager Danny Cowley is content with his side remaining under the radar as they continue their push towards the League Two play-offs.
On a ten-match unbeaten run, the U’s have climbed to within six points of the top seven with 12 games left to play. As they prepare for a tricky trip to Cheltenham Town on Saturday, Cowley insists his focus is on sustaining momentum rather than external expectations.
‘We’re Coming Up on the Rails’
Colchester have hit form at a crucial stage of the season, and Cowley is happy for his team to go unnoticed in the promotion race.
“I feel like we’re under the radar and I’m quite happy to be there actually, coming up on the rails,” he said. “We’re just really focused on us trying to be better than yesterday. We try to get to 50 points as quickly as we can and then we earn the right to redefine our objectives. We’re ten unbeaten now and the ambition is to extend that further.”
The U’s boss is particularly pleased with the consistency his squad has displayed in recent weeks. With five matches in 14 days, he is urging his side to take it one game at a time.
“All the energy at the moment is on recovering and preparing for Cheltenham,” he added. “We’ll do our very best to try and find our highest level of performance on Saturday.”
Seeking Revenge Against Cheltenham
Saturday’s opponents have already beaten Colchester twice this season—once in the league and once in the Vertu Trophy. Both matches ended in 2-1 defeats, leaving Cowley eager to turn the tables.
“Cheltenham are a team that have beaten us narrowly twice and it stung on both occasions,” he admitted. “That game in the Vertu Trophy stung, because we did a lot right on that night.”
With Michael Flynn’s side enjoying a strong season, Cowley is under no illusions about the challenge his team will face.
“Credit to Cheltenham, because they’re a really determined team and really hard working. Michael Flynn’s teams are always ultra-competitive,” he said. “They play really aggressively against the ball and want to really step up with their pressure, man to man in their style.
“They’ve also got some really good attacking players—wide players like Thomas, Archer, Williams who has come in from Manchester United, and they’ve got goals in their team at the top end as well.”
Despite Cheltenham’s strengths, Cowley remains confident his side can dictate proceedings.
“For us, we have to find our consistency, we have to try to get the game on our terms and try to stamp our authority on it, which away from home is always the challenge.”
Writer’s View
Colchester’s surge in form has been impressive, but tougher tests lie ahead. Cheltenham have already frustrated them twice this season, and if the U’s are serious about a play-off push, they need to prove they can get the better of direct rivals. Cowley’s squad has momentum, but this match will be a true test of their credentials.
