COLCHESTER United midfielder Kevin Watson reckons that keeper Dean Gerken is destined for the big-time after a man-of-the-match display in the 1-0 defeat at QPR yesterday.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United midfielder Kevin Watson reckons that keeper Dean Gerken is destined for the big-time after a man-of-the-match display in the 1-0 defeat at QPR yesterday.

Gerken was powerless to prevent big striker Ray Jones from heading home the 36th-minute winner for the West Londoners.

It was no more than Rangers deserved for a dominant display against a disappointing Colchester side. Watson revealed: “Dean [Gerken] kept us in the game, and in with a shout. Once again he made some superb saves.

“I've been about a long time, and Dean is one of the best young keepers that I have ever seen. He can certainly go all the way.

“It might look a narrow defeat, from the scoreline, but we were not really at the races. We got what we deserved.

“QPR are a struggling side, but I thought they deserved to be ahead at half-time.

“We just didn't get going in the first-half. In fact, we didn't get going the whole match!

“All the lads feel that we have wasted a good chance today.

“We threw everything at QPR late one, and they were hanging on, but there wasn't much quality in our play. QPR could have scored more goals in the second-half.

“I think you could say that this was our worst performance of the season,” confirmed Watson, who celebrates his 33rd birthday tomorrow.