COLCHESTER United boss Joe Dunne admits that he “is learning the hard way” - but he is happy with that.

After claiming back-to-back victories, in his first two games in charge, against Hartlepool and at Swindon, Dunne has seen his side tumble to defeats at Yeovil (3-1 in the league) and Northampton (2-1 in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy).

“Now is the right time for me (to be manager). I feel ready, and I have a vision and a philosophy about what I want to do at the club,” explained Dunne.

“But we are learning the hard way.

“We have now had two lows, where we have done OK, and I suppose I’m learning the hard way, though to be honest I’d rather that than it be too easy, because it’s how you learn.

“I want to get us up the league as far as I can, and see where that takes us, and not lose too many games.

“If fans want to see balls going from back to front, as quick as you can, as high as you can, and as long as you can, then go with someone else, because that’s not what I am going to do.

“We will just have to see where that takes us in the league.

“We have to be brave as a club, and our fans and supporters will have to be brave as well.

“They are seeing us try to do something different, and I’ve got a system where the players have got to fit,

“I haven’t picked a system to fit the players. Some of them might take a bit longer, but you’ve got to give them time to do it,” added Dunne.

The U’s next game is at home to Stevenage on Saturday.

Striker Clinton Morrison will miss out, as he starts the first of a three-match suspension for his sending-off at Northampton. The Essex club today decided against an appeal against the red card.