IN TYPICALLY brash Aussie fashion, Chris Coyne is super confident that his new club Colchester United will fend off relegation this season.New recruit Coyne fulfilled all the expectations on his U's debut at Bristol City on Saturday, helping the visitors to a precious point in a 1-1 draw.

Carl Marston

IN TYPICALLY brash Aussie fashion, Chris Coyne is super confident that his new club Colchester United will fend off relegation this season.

New recruit Coyne fulfilled all the expectations on his U's debut at Bristol City on Saturday, helping the visitors to a precious point in a 1-1 draw.

The U's club record signing, who arrived from Luton Town for £350,000 last Thursday, served up an inspirational display at the heart of defence.

It's only one game, but 29-year-old Coyne is talking up his team's chances of beating the drop into League One, even though they are currently propping up the table.

“On whatever terms, it was a great performance from the team. I know that we've gone bottom, but I was very impressed out there,” insisted Coyne.

“It's always a relief to get your first game for a new club under your belt. It was a good one to start with, away at a top-of-the-table team, and I thought our level of performance was high.

“It's a bit ironic that we've gone bottom, after playing so well. The table does not lie, but it's swings and roundabouts in this division.

“Preston (previous bottom club) beat Watford, and we were close to beating Bristol City. We just have to make sure that we carry this forward to our home match against Hull,” added Coyne.

It is the U's woeful home form, rather than their experiences on the road, that have been the downfall of Geraint Williams' men this season.

United have only collected a disappointing 12 points at Layer Road, as opposed to a heartening 14 points on their travels. They need to regain their winning touch at home, starting against Hull City on Saturday.

Coyne spent the first half of this season at cash-strapped Luton, in a relegation scrap at the foot of League One, so he's used to becoming embroiled in a dogfight.

“If all mine and the team's performances are like this one, then we'll be all right this season,” confirmed Coyne.

“We knew that Bristol City would come at us, and I thought that we weathered the storm well. That's a good sign, especially as they had only lost a couple of league matches at home.

“They had a lot of pace throughout the team, not just their two wingers (Michael McIndoe and Ivan Sproule). I thought we defended well, our midfield worked hard, and our front men gave them problems.

“To me, there wasn't much difference between what I've been facing at Luton, though perhaps teams in League One are a bit more direct.

“I'm just glad to be at Colchester, and I honestly think that we will stay up,” added Coyne.