COLCHESTER United manager John Ward believes his side’s new attacking mentality will help them improve on last season’s dismal away form.

The U’s won just five games away from home under Aidy Boothroyd in 2009/10, their record particularly bad at northern venues.

Even overlooking the more understandable defeats at Preston, Leeds and Huddersfield, Colchester still somehow contrived to throw away two goals leads at struggling Stockport and Oldham, were held to draws at relegated duo Tranmere and Wycombe and even lost against the 10-men of both Carlisle and Walsall.

Negative second half tactics certainly played a part in the aforementioned away day misery though – something that will definitely not be the case under the attack-minded Ward this season.

Speaking ahead of today’s trip to newly-promoted Rochdale, Ward said: “Five away wins last year was really disappointing but while it’s worth a mention to the players, it’s not something we will dwell on.

“I’m not sure my team has got too many defensive thoughts in it at the moment. They want to get forward and I think that is where our strength lies.

“Obviously there will be times when we can’t be as attacking as we will be at home – we had 17 efforts on goal against Sheffield Wednesday last week and probably won’t be able to be that ambitious away – but at the same time I don’t want us to drastically alter our overall approach.

“We want to improve on our away record from last season, but we won’t be able to do that if we are defending all the time.”

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