Sean Clohessy, who has stood in as Colchester United’s captain in recent weeks, predicts that Frankie Kent will be a future U’s skipper as well.
Clohessy has captained the U’s side, in the absence of the suspended Magnus Okuonghae, for the last three games, including last weekend’s confidence-boosting 3-0 victory at Crewe Alexandra.
The ex-Southend United stalwart will also lead out the team at Preston North End this afternoon, with club captain Okuonghae completing the fourth of his four-match suspension, for two cards picked up within the first five weeks of the campaign.
Teenager Kent, meanehile, has deputised for Okuonghae, in the heart of defence, alongside Tom Eastman, and has responded with a string of very mature performances.
Clohessy enthused: “Frankie (Kent) has been amazing. In fact, I think he could be a future captain.
“You look at him, when he comes in against Leyton Orient (as a 45th minute substitute following Okuonghae’s red card). He came on against (striker) Darius Henderson and kept him in his pocket.
“Bristol City tried to target him as well. They saw Frankie as the new kid, the young lad coming in, so they tried to play on him, thinking he is going to be weak.
“He’s not the biggest, like a Mags (Okuonghae), but he’s strong for his size, he wins things in the air, is very good on the ball, and is a very composed player.
“It hasn’t been a negative to us at all, having Frankie in the team. He’s been fantastic for us. He has played alongside me, and he’s not scared to talk to you as well. I talk him through games, but he’s not shy to do the same to me! That’s good.
“That’s why I think he could be a future captain. He talks well, and is a good character. I have been very impressed with him.
“In fact, all the young lads have a good future, like (Alex) Gilbey, Sammie (Szmodics) and (Dominic (Vose). They are all benefiting from getting experience of League One football,” added Clohessy.
Summer signing Clohessy, who spent last season plying his trade in the Scottish top flight with Kilmarnock, has proved a capable replacement for Brian Wilson in the right back role –Wilson moved to Oldham in the summer.
He was recruited by former manager Joe Dunne, but ironically is starting to flourish under new boss Tony Humes, with four clean-sheets kept in the last five games.
“I think we’ve been playing well over the last few games, not just the Crewe game,” explained Clohessy.
“In fact, I think we’ve been doing well all season. Before the new gaffer came in, we just didn’t get the results that our performances deserved.
“But we’ve gone back to basics lately, and kept a few clean-sheets, while also looking threatening on the counter-attack. I think this has worked well for us.
“Four clean-sheets out of five is good, because at the start of the season I didn’t know where our first clean-sheet was going to come from!
“We were a bit open earlier in the season, with teams going through the middle of us. Teams just seemed to be taking their chances and punishing us.
“But now, we are not even giving teams those chances, and luck is also going our way,” added Clohessy.
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