COLCHESTER United goalkeeper Aidan Davison last night had a message for the Colchester United board - 'Give the manager's job full time to Geraint Williams.

By Elvin King

COLCHESTER United goalkeeper Aidan Davison last night had a message for the Colchester United board - 'Give the manager's job full time to Geraint Williams.'

Williams has been in caretaker charge since the departure of Phil Parkinson to Championship rivals Hull City, with a decision expected later this week on a permanent replacement.

Davison said: “All the players are behind Geraint and he has done a wonderful job this summer.

“He has held it all together during a rather traumatic time, and the quicker a decision is made the better. We can then get on with the job in hand in earnest.

“Geraint has a Pro coaching licence and fits the bill as far as I am concerned.”

After the triumphs of last year when Colchester won promotion to the second tier of English football for the first time - and a memorable game against Chelsea in the FA Cup - the U's have come down to earth with a bump.

Parkinson has joined Hull after a messy move with threats of legal action in an attempt to try to keep him at Layer Road.

And with the playing strength depleted, Colchester would be most people's favourites for relegation.

Davison said: “Survival must be the aim. We want to finish as high as possible, but fourth from bottom would be acceptable.

“We need new players to come in and strengthen the squad, and the sooner a manager is appointed the sooner this can happen.”

This is Davison's final season as a player and he is undecided on his future from next May.

“I started coaching qualifications six years ago and this is something I might take up after a break,” he said. “Or I might move away from the game.

“At the moment I am focussing on Colchester United and doing my bit for the team and helping to bring along young keepers Dean Gerken and Mark Cousins.

“If we are organised we should be okay, but the quicker we know who is in charge the better.”