COLCHESTER United striker David Mooney has branded the Charlton fans that booed him last month as “idiots” ahead of the reverse fixture at The Valley tonight.

The Irishman spent last season on loan at the Addicks from parent club Reading. But despite helping the club to the play-off semi-finals the club’s supporters never really took to him.

He was booed by the Charlton fans virtually every time he touched the ball when they visited The Weston Homes Community Stadium on New Year’s Day and responded by cupping his ear and waving sarcastically to them when he was substituted following a fine display in the action-packed 3-3 draw.

“It’s tough to say why they booed me like that,” said Mooney, who is now definitely on loan at Colchester until the end of the season after yesterday’s transfer deadline came and went without Reading receiving any bids for his permanent services.

“I played in a deeper role there and the manager (Phil Parkinson) was pleased with my contribution.

“I think some supporters just expected goals, goals, goals from me as a striker though and perhaps I didn’t get as many as I should have done (six in 31 appearances).

“When we went through a sticky patch I just seemed to get the brunt of it. Some fans love a moan up but they are the ones that don’t understand the game.

“The ones booing me are just the few idiots in the crowd. They have some good supporters too though who were applauding me as well.

“As far as I am concerned it’s just a bit of banter. I was winding them up a bit and they were giving me a bit back – that’s football.

“Charlton is a massive. massive club and I had a great time there. I’m looking forward to going back.”

Mooney took his goal tally to the season into double figures with a late winner in the 2-1 home win over Peterborough last Friday. He was mobbed by supporters in the South Stand after the goal and was booked for the celebrations.

Colchester have taken an impressive seven points from a possible 12 against promotion-chasing rivals over the last 15 days – beating Bournemouth and Peterborough at home and getting a point at Huddersfield, their only loss coming at league-leaders Brighton.

Tonight’s opponents Charlton are level on points with the U’s in the League One table, both just a point outside the play-off places.

The south London club sacked manager Phil Parkinson following a 4-2 home defeat to Swindon last month and replaced him with former fans’ favourite Chris Powell.

His managerial career has started with a 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday and a 2-0 home win over Plymouth, though his side haven’t played in the nine days since then as their scheduled trip to Rochdale was called off at the weekend (frozen pitch).

U’s boss John Ward has Pat Baldwin available again tonight, the centre-back having served a one-match suspension, although he may not regain his place following Huddersfield loanee Nathan Clarke’s impressive debut.

Left-winger Simon Hackney yesterday joined play-off chasing League Two club Oxford United on loan until the end of the season. He is out-of-contract this summer.

Meanwhile, Addicks boss Powell could hand two new signings their debuts tonight. Striker Bradley Wright-Phillips was purchased from financially struggling Plymouth for a reported fee of �300,000 last Friday, while Argentine left-back Federico Bessone arrived on loan from Championship club Leeds yesterday.

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