“It was not up to standard’ – Colchester United’s Ryan Jackson

Ryan Jackson admitted that Colchester United under-performed during Saturday’s opening day 3-1 defeat at Accrington Stanley.

But the U’s summer signing, who made an impressive debut in the right wing-back role, insists that there is no need to panic.

“Obviously it’s the first game. There’s no need to really panic, although we need to learn from it,” explained Jackson.

“We have to obviously dust ourselves down and get back on the training field on Monday, and go again.

“No fan wants to see their team go 3-0 down, and I understand that.

“I think the performance as well was maybe not up to the standard it should have been, but it’s up to us to brush ourselves down and go again, to put 110% effort into the next game.”

- Ryan Jackson video

Jackson revealed that boss John McGreal gave the players a dusting-down during the half-time interval, with the U’s trailing 2-0 and playing second fiddle to their Lancashire hosts.

The U’s responded with an improved second-half display, helped by the appearance of substitutes Sammie Szmodics and Lewis Kinsella.

“The gaffer gave us a speaking to at half-time, and everyone livened up,” confirmed Jackson, a summer recruit from Gillingham.

“We just didn’t deal with their threats today, but we are still learning.

“Nothing is decided on the first day. It’s not how you start a season, but how you finish it that really matters. It’s a learning curve for us.”