‘We were not good enough this season,’ admits Prosser

A disappointed Luke Prosser applauds the U's away fans following the 1-1 draw at Carlisle from February. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

The U’s began the campaign targeting promotion back to the third tier, at the second attempt, but they have once again fallen short of their goal.

John McGreal’s men missed out on the League Two play-offs by just one point and one place last year, but they will finish further adrift this term.

The Essex club are 10 points adrift of the top-seven, down in 11th spot, going into their last two fixtures of the season at home to ninth-placed Swindon Town tomorrow, and then away at promotion-chasing Exeter City the following weekend.

“Our aim at the start of the season was to make the play-offs, if we couldn’t get automatic promotion, so everybody is disappointed,” explained Prosser, following yesterday’s training session at Florence Park, Tiptree.

Centre-half Luke Prosser looks to win a header in the air against Garry Thompson during the 0-0 draw at Morecambe. Picture: RICHARD BLAXALL (Image: 2018 Pagepix)

“However, we still want to end the season on a winning note, and we all still have pride to play for.

“If we can win our final two games of the season, then that lays down a marker for next season. It will give the club some momentum.

“Some of the lads are also playing for contracts, so there is still plenty to play for.

“We have two games to go, and we will be going out to win them both.

“We knew it would not be possible to make the play-offs, after our defeat at Lincoln last weekend.

“Again it has all come down to small margins. In parts of games we have done really well, but we have not always managed to come away with the points.

“I’m a great believer in things tending to balance themselves out, at the end of the season.

“So we have obviously not been good enough this year,” added Prosser.

The highest the U’s can now finish is ninth, although they could drop into the lower half of the table and finish as low as 14th.

“League Two is a tough division, and it can take a while to find your feet,” said Prosser.

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“Hopefully, everyone will have benefited from another year at this level. The young players will have gained more experience.

“It took Southend six years to get out of this division (promotion in 2015), and when you do finally go up, you want to stay there.

“You want to have something to build on, because you want to kick on when you do go up.

“There are usually at least 10 teams who are vying for promotion each year in League Two, not just one or two away and clear, so it’s hard to get into the play-offs.

“That’s what we have found, and also clubs like Mansfield and Swindon, with their strong squads.”

Prosser’s current contract expires this summer – he signed a two-year deal on his switch from Southend in the summer of 2016 – but he is in talks with the U’s over a possible new deal.

The 29-year-old (he turns 30 next month) missed 14 months through a long-term knee injury, so he is eager to make up for lost time.

“I’m in talks with the club at the moment,” revealed Prosser.

“I have enjoyed my time here, despite the injury. Obviously that was disappointing, to be out for so long, but I still feel that I’ve got a lot to offer in terms of football.

“I missed out on 14 months football, which was hard, but funny enough the time went really quickly.

“I had a target to be back for last pre-season, and then a target to get back for Christmas, and then finally in January.

“Since then I’ve played 14 games, and come through every training session, so I’m gutted the season is already coming to an end. I’d like to play another 30 games, rather than the season finish.

“I’m coming up to my 30th birthday, so I feel that I am approaching my prime.

“Colchester is local-ish to me, so hopefully, something can be sorted out soon,” added Enfield-born Prosser, in terms of a new contract.