IT didn't require too many words from Colchester United's manager and players to explain Saturday's 5-1 home hammering by Coventry City.To concede five at home is bad enough, but to concede five in one half is quite extraordinary.

Mike Bacon

IT didn't require too many words from Colchester United's manager and players to explain Saturday's 5-1 home hammering by Coventry City.

To concede five at home is bad enough, but to concede five in one half is quite extraordinary.

U's boss Geraint Williams wasn't mincing his thoughts.

"I could have made more changes in the second half to be honest the way we were defending," he said.

"But I wanted our defenders to suffer like I was, like the fans were, so I left them on to suffer.

"It's the story of our season. We have had three one-on-ones and scored from none of them and we've had more shots on target than Coventry and lost 5-1.

"It was the same at Norwich, where we lost by the same score yet had more shots on target than they did.

"Our second half defending was woeful. Their first goal was a punt up to the striker, we have two defenders marking him and he still gets in a shot.

"From there the rot set in."

But despite it all, Williams was determined to take a few positives.

"We've beaten Ipswich here recently and today we've had loads of possession, especially in the first half. But our defending was inept, simple as that.

"Quite honestly all season, at one end the attackers are doing their job, but at the other the defenders aren't."

Aussie defender Chris Coyne said: "I've only been here since January, but apparently it's been like this all season.

"We are deeply disappointed. We said we wanted to play for pride but what do fans think after a result like this?"

Scott Vernon added: "I feel for Dean Gerken (who was at fault for the first goal). He has been superb for us this season.

"We always felt, even at 2-1 down we were in the game. But those two quick goals at the start of the second half knocked us.

"It's nice to score, but 100 times better to score when it means something."

Coventry manager Chris Coleman was understandably delighted with his side's comeback; "We were calm at half-time even though we were behind.

"I didn't want us to gamble and chase the game. I wanted us to keep our shape. I wasn't interested in other results, just ours.

"At half-time I thought we just needed a bit of belief in the last third and we got that. To come here and win like this is a great result for us."