COLCHESTER United caretaker manager, Joe Dunne, broke the bombshell news that midfielder David Perkins had slapped in a transfer request, just 24 hours before his side's defeat at MK Dons.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United caretaker manager, Joe Dunne, broke the bombshell news that midfielder David Perkins had slapped in a transfer request, just 24 hours before his side's defeat at MK Dons.

Dunne confirmed after the final whistle that midfielder Perkins, unhappy not to have started a league match this season, had expressed a wish to leave the club.

“Players have left the club and, as if I didn't have enough on my plate, David Perkins last night asked for a transfer,” revealed Dunne.

“He wants to leave the club, so if someone comes in then he can go. Hopefully he will change his mind.

“He needs to play games, he appreciates that, but he still gave all he had when he came on today. He is still giving 100% to the cause, but he says that he wants to be playing regular football.

“It's getting close to the (transfer) deadline, but he feels that he needs a fresh start. It's obvious that whoever (new manager) comes in will have to strengthen the squad a little, and this might accelerate the process.

“I've been in positions before as a player when I've had no manager, and some people in the stands might start saying that that's why we lost today. However, the players gave their all. It just wasn't to be today.

“It's been a hell of a week. The manager went on Tuesday, and then our captain was sold. I hope that David Perkins changes his mind. He was disappointed that he didn't play the other evening (against Gillingham), but he will play at some stage.

“You have to have a strong group of players, but the size of the squad is changing, in the blink of an eye, so players need to be lined up to come in. The squad needs adding to,” added Dunne.

While naturally disappointed to see his side lose their 100% league record, Dunne was satisfied with the performance.

He continued: “We did our best and tried and tried to create chances. The commitment of the players was excellent, and there were plenty of positives to come from the game.

“We started the second half quite well. Overall, we handled it well, but we lacked the killer final ball or the killer final cross.

“If we play with that kind of commitment, whoever the new manager is, then we will win more then we lose.

“The players have been outstanding this week. You have to lose at some time, but it's unfortunate that it has happened today.

“We felt if we could gamble in the second half, and break up the ball in midfield, because they had too much of that in the first half, then we could exploit more chances. From an attacking point of view, we had more purpose.

“It was a good performance. Scott Vernon took his goal well, and Kevin Lisbie caused them one or two problems with his back to goal. So there were plenty of positives.

“You could see today why we will be competing up there at the end of the season,” added Dunne.

In addition to Perkins' shock announcement, and the first league defeat of the season, the U's suffered another blow on Saturday. Defender Lee Beevers was substituted after just 28 minutes, due to a shoulder injury.

Dunne confirmed: “Lee Beevers will probably not be OK for next week (against Leeds). He has a bad shoulder, which popped out and had to be put back in.”