Colchester United boss Tony Humes insisted that his side had to look to the future, beyond the departure of star striker Freddie Sears, following today’s 2-0 home defeat to Walsall.

The U’s missed a succession of good chances against the Saddlers, and were made to pay as goals from Anthony Forde (33 minutes) and Michael Cain (74) inflicted an eighth home league defeat of the season on the Essex club.

“Freddie has gone, and we have to forget about that now,” insisted Humes. Sears was sold to Ipswich Town yesterday.

“The players have got to be big enough and brave enough to fill his shoes.

“It’s an opportunity for the players, and we have got to find the right one who will score goals for us.”

Of the games itself, Humes continued: “Goals change games, don’t they?

“We started brightly and we had chances early on, which we didn’t take. Walsall then scored out of nothing.

“There was nothing in the game all afternoon, between two sides trying to play football.

“We just didn’t have the composure when we had the opportunities.

“We created a lot of chances, that’s the way we play.

“It shows we are doing the right things, with the chances we are creating, but we need more composure.”