John McGreal revels in ‘brilliant’ Colchester performance

Posted Sunday, December 22, 2019 by PA

Colchester boss John McGreal was delighted with his team’s display following their 3-0 win over Carlisle.

The promotion-chasing U’s went ahead in the 26th minute when Cohen Bramall’s low cross went in off Carlisle defender Nathaniel Knight-Percival in the six-yard box.

Colchester doubled their lead in the 42nd minute through Callum Harriott, who fired home from close range after keeper Adam Collin had beaten Kwame Poku’s fierce strike into his path.

And Bramall wrapped up the hosts’ convincing win in the 52nd minute with a superb 25-yard free-kick to extend Colchester’s unbeaten league run to seven matches.

McGreal said: “I’m really pleased. It was brilliant and I thought we dominated the ball and got into positions where we looked threatening.

“It took a little bit of time for our top-six players to play together, because they haven’t really done it that much.

“But once they found their groove it was great, helped by Ben (Stevenson), who I thought was outstanding.

“He made everything tick with Harry Pell alongside him and Gams (Luke Gambin) – you know what you’re going to get from him.

“I thought the guys put in a great performance. After the emotions and euphoria of what’s gone on (with the midweek Carabao Cup tie with Manchester United) we’ve tried to put that game in isolation.

“We looked at the players on Thursday and Friday and we had to change it, there’s no question.

“We’ve lost a few players and (Luke) Norris and Dean (Gerken) but we’ve got more than adequate cover.”

Carlisle did test Colchester in the first half, with goalkeeper Ethan Ross denying Hallam Hope, who also saw a deflected shot sail just wide soon after.

But the visitors were largely second best, leaving manager Chris Beech understandably disappointed.

“We can’t accept certain results,” Beech said. “Defeats will happen but if it’s a lack of honesty and respect to each other in terms of what we’re trying to achieve, we can’t accept that.

“I told them at half-time that even though it was 2-0, it’s not really been Colchester’s game in the first half.

“The next goal was really important and they put in a world-class free-kick, which really took the game away from us.

“What I want the players to do at that point is to show character at half-time to make sure we can stay in the game.

“They had a go but after the third goal and it looked a bit comfortable, which I can’t accept.

“I’ve told the players, it’s pointless not talking about the elephant in the room – we’ve got to be more honest with ourselves and respect each other and that comes from hard work.”