Colchester United boss Joe Dunne has blamed himself, rather than his players, for last Saturday’s disappointing 2-1 home defeat to bad travellers Swindon Town.

The Robins had lost five of their first seven games on the road this season, but they eased to a rare away success in Essex, courtesy of close range goals from Nicky Ajose and Dany N’Guessan.

Magnus Okuonghae pulled a goal back with a 78th minute header, but Swindon’s unusual tactics of playing with no out-and-out strikers certainly paid off.

“I take full responsibility,” insisted Dunne.

“I pick the team and I pick the tactics. The philosophy of play is my decision.

“I tell my players to carry out those decisions. I tell them to pass it – I tell the likes of Cian (Bolger), (Magnus) Okuonghae, Alex (Gilbey), and anyone to get on the ball and be brave, and I won’t change that. I will keep testing them. Today was a real learning day for me as a coach, because we played against a team with no strikers.

“I’ve rarely seen those tactics employed, and good credit to Swindon.

“Any criticism should be aimed at me, not the players.

“It’s my job as manager to take any criticism.”

The U’s have won just one of their last 16 games, in league and cup, and are just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Their next test is away at Preston on Saturday, although the U’s under-18s are in action tomorrow evening at home to Plymouth in an FA Youth Cup second round tie.