MORE guile in the final third - that's what Colchester United boss Paul Lambert is striving for at high-flying Peterborough United tomorrow.

Carl Marston

MORE guile in the final third - that's what Colchester United boss Paul Lambert is striving for at high-flying Peterborough United tomorrow.

The U's have drawn a blank in their last two matches, losing back-to-back home games to Leyton Orient (1-0 in the FA Cup) and Walsall (2-0 in the League). Lambert was unhappy with his side's creativity and punch as an attacking force in both these fixtures.

“There has been no end product in our last couple of matches,” admitted Lambert.

“We had lots of the ball last Saturday. In fact, you can have too much of the ball sometimes! But that doesn't mean to say that I'm going to suddenly start playing a more direct style.

“That's not the way that I like to play the game, and we don't have the footballers to do that. We just have to be more productive in the final third.”

While the U's have been dreadful at home, with just one win in nine starts at the Community Stadium, they have been far more effective on their travels.

And although tomorrow's hosts Posh are going great guns in fifth spot, Lambert believes his side can pull off a surprise and so extend their excellent away record.

“If you get beat, then the best thing you can do is get back out there and bounce back,” insisted Lambert.

“Peterborough are doing well, but our away form has been excellent (seven league and cup wins). We haven't let our heads drop with any negative thoughts.

“There's no doubt that this has been a struggling club since the start of the season. We have to get our home form sorted out. Win your homes games and you always have a decent chance. At the moment, we're doing it the other way round by playing well away.

“But it wouldn't take much to get into the top half of the table. Two wins and we could be in the top half.

“The players have been battered by negative things said to them, but I haven't found it hard to lift them. You can't have them feeling sorry for themselves,” concluded Lambert.

Peterborough have lost just one of their last 13 games. Their only defeat in that run was at the hands of Dagenham & Redbridge in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Meanwhile, the U's have been drawn at home to Romford in the fourth round of the Essex Senior Cup. The match will be played at the Community Stadium on Tuesday, December 2 (7.30pm)