Harry Pell has been happy with Colchester United’s start to the season, despite Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Northampton.
The U’s suffered their first loss in five league games, to drop from third to sixth at this very early stage of the season.
“You break matches up into batches, and obviously that’s five games for us now,” explained midfielder Pell, who arrived from Cheltenham over the summer.
“That’s the first five and we are in the play-off positions after them, which is a positive for the club.
“I think there have been a lot of positives in the first five games.
“Obviously we were disappointed to lose to Northampton, but it is vitally important that the boys do not get too down about that.
“I think Northampton deserved the win – they did a good job on us in the first half. I don’t think they are necessarily the best team we have played so far, because Notts County were a good outfit (0-0 draw), even though they haven’t pick up many good results, and I think Mansfield will most certainly be up there.
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“We nullified the threats of those teams, but we never nullified the threats of Northampton.
“We had been quite compact and quite tight before Saturday’s match, and now we dust ourselves down and look forward to the next five games.
“We mustn’t get too high with the highs, and not get too low with the lows,” added Pell.
Matt Crooks (48mins) and Billy Waters (90+1) were on target for the Cobblers, before a 95th minute own goal by Aaron Pierre halved the deficit at the death.
“It was a kick in the teeth for us, after they scored so early in the second half. We had just wanted to get to half-time and regroup,” explained Pell.
“But Saturday was just one game out of 46. We had our chances as well. I thought I’d scored with my header, and I was about to go away and celebrate! I was also unlucky with a free-kick.
“Perhaps we could have got a point, but then should we have got a point at Mansfield (last gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw), despite defending so well and showing good character?
“On the whole, it’s been good for me so far this season. The team got into third or fourth gear straight away,” added Pell.
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