David Mooney says he came to Colchester United to entertain.

DAVID Mooney says he came to Colchester United to entertain.

The 25-year-old Irish striker has proved to be a big hit since joining the U’s on a six-month loan deal from Reading.

He scored a brace on his full debut against Hereford in the Carling Cup last week and almost wrapped up victory against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend when a long-range shot struck the foot of the post.

And the former Charlton and Norwich loanee says John Ward’s promise of attractive football was the reason why he came to the Essex club.

“Reading told me when I came back from pre-season that I wasn’t part of their plans,” said Mooney. “That’s fair enough, but I did think it was a strange time to tell me rather than at the end of last season.

“John (Ward) got in touch on the Wednesday, I drove across on the Thursday and signed straight away – it was a no brainer really.

“The only thing I’d heard about Colchester was the style of play under Aidy Boothroyd last season, so when John rang me I had just one question for him and that was whether he was going to change things.

“He assured me he was going to try and get them playing more football and that was all I needed to hear because all I wanted was somewhere where I could go and enjoy my football.

“I want to play as high as I can – I’ve still got ambitions of playing for Ireland and all that type of stuff – but for now I’ve just got to play one game at a time.

“If we can keep playing the way we are though then there’s no reason I can’t get back where I want to be with Colchester.”

Mooney was only able to complete half a training session last Friday following the ankle injury he had suffered at Hereford. He put himself forward to play against Sheffield Wednesday though and almost won the match when striking the post with the score at 1-0.

“It’s a game we probably should have won by two or three really,” rued Mooney.

“Colchester fans coming to the game have maybe never seen that style of football played here before. That’s probably the best football they’ve seen here for a long time.

“The gaffer gives us free rein to play. The six forward players are all comfortable on the ball and I think that shows.

“I am really, really enjoying playing in this formation.

“There’s a lot of competition, but it’s the type of team where everybody wants each other to do well. The boys here are absolutely top class and I think that unity shows on the pitch.”