EX-Yeovil winger, Gavin Massey, is under no illusions as to the size of Colchester United’s task, in order to preserve their League One status this season.

Massey recognises that the U’s are in “a dogfight,” following a run of 12 defeats in their last 15 matches, which has left them fourth-from-bottom and in danger of relegation.

And it all starts tonight, at home to his old club Yeovil.

“We are in a dogfight, and we’ve got to stick together as a team,” insisted Massey.

“Yeovil are flying, and scoring for fun, but we are fighting for our lives so we are going to have to put on a performance.

“We’re in this mess, and the only way is to come out fighting.

“We’ve got 13 games left, and we’ve got to get some wins.

“There’s no point in shying away from the fact that Saturday (defeat to Tranmere) was a poor team performance.

“It was a bad day at the office, and I can’t give any excuses. Tranmere deserved to beat us.

“We were playing well before that game, even at Sheffield United (3-0 defeat), but it’s our own mistakes that are killing us.

“The gaffer is right – we have got to snap out of it,” added Massey.

Former Watford 20-year-old Massey had a loan spell at tonight’s visitors Yeovil in 2011, ironically scoring a brace in the Glovers’ 2-2 draw at Colchester.

“Yeovil gave me my opportunity to start professional football. I respect them for that,” continued Massey.

“They are doing really well and surprising a lot of teams in the league.

“But I’m focusing on Colchester now, and I suppose I still owe them a couple of goals for those two I scored against them for Yeovil,” added Massey.