COLCHESTER United’s summer recruit, Marcus Bean, is convinced that this coming season will be the best chance that ‘smaller’ clubs like the U’s have of winning promotion.

Bean has been impressed, and pleasantly surprised, by the quality of playing staff at the Essex club, following his switch from Brentford.

Furthermore, the battling midfielder believes that League One will be a poorer division than in recent seasons.

“The league is definitely weaker this season,” said Bean.

“Some big teams have gone out, like Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield. And some teams have come down that are in financial trouble, so on and so forth, like Portsmouth.

“That’s why I feel if there is one time to get out of this league, then I think this could be the year for a lot of teams, including Colchester of course.

“This is a big year, and we have got to try to break the mould and finish in the top six.

“It’s key for us to get a good start and get some momentum, then anything is possible. I feel we have the players to string together back-to-back wins, which other teams struggle to do,” added Bean.