Patience is a virtue, especially at Colchester United.

U’s boss Joe Dunne has been happy with his side’s start to the League One season, which has yielded eight points from four games, with two wins and two draws.

Even more than the unbeaten league start, Dunne has revelled in the U’s style of play, which was epitomised by last Friday night’s 1-1 draw against visiting Carlisle United.

The likes of Craig Eastmond and Sanchez Watt, the former Arsenal duo, have certainly had an impact on the U’s quest for crisp passing and possession football. But the whole squad are following suit.

Despite falling behind to an early goal in the Carlisle game (Matty Robson’s fourth minute strike), the U’s stuck to their guns and persevered with a patient, passing approach, resisting the temptation to pump the ball long in search of a quick, direct equaliser.

“It must be better to look at, there’s no desperation about our play,” enthused Dunne.

“In seasons gone past, we were desperate. There would be another big man up front, but I’m proud of what we did (against Carlisle), and what we are trying to do.

“I think what we all have to understand is that we are playing with players who, when they’ve been with the clubs that they have been with, there’s been extra quick passes to get in.

“What we are used to, in the lower leagues, is that bit more directness, and when we make that extra pass to get in, sometimes people can feel frustrated that it didn’t happen earlier.

“But what you have to understand is that these guys have that ability, to make those kind of extra one or two passes quick and get in.

“We saw that against Carlisle. When you go 1-0 down, people’s mindset can change – ‘get the ball forward quickly, come on, come on,’ they shout.

“But these guys are used to this patient play, and we should embrace it that we never lumped it once (against Carlisle).”

The Us entertain early leaders Leyton Orient on Saturday, which will be a good test.

Dunne added: “We’ve had a great start, and we’re OK with the new expectations.”