IT’S not been smooth sailing for Colchester United this term, but attacking midfielder Noah Chilvers reckons they can build on a new ‘feelgood factor’ under the Cowley brothers to steer clear of danger.
Ben Garner and Matty Etherington both struggled to earn consistent results at the helm this season, leading to the U’s calling on Danny and Nicky Cowley to try to turn the tables early last month.
The brothers have built an excellent reputation through their managerial career which has seen them lead Concord Rangers, Braintree Town, Lincoln City – taking the Imps from the National League to League One – Huddersfield Town and Portsmouth.
Their early results at the Colchester helm have been encouraging. Pre-weekend, they had won one and drawn three of their opening four games. It meant the U’s were 21st heading into the weekend, seven points above the drop zone.
Energy
“They have brought such a contagious energy into the whole building,” said Chilvers, 22, who came through the Essex club’s ranks and has already made more than 150 league appearances.
“They way they speak about football and the detail they go into, it shows that they live and breathe the game. They’ve got such a track record of success and it’s been a real breath of fresh air – they’ve brought a feelgood factor back.”
A sprinkling of new faces – including midfielder Alistair Smith (on loan from Lincoln), winger Harry Anderson, 27, (borrowed from Stevenage) and defender Riley Harbottle, 23, (on loan from Hiber nian) – have also boosted the camp ahead of the run-in. “It’s been nice to get a few players in and it creates competition for places,” said Chilvers. “We’ve got players from higher levels and who
