COLCHESTER United's longest-serving player, Kem Izzet, believes that everyone has had a fair chance to prove themselves under manager Paul Lambert.The Scotsman will today tell several of his squad that they are no longer required at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United's longest-serving player, Kem Izzet, believes that everyone has had a fair chance to prove themselves under manager Paul Lambert.

The Scotsman will today tell several of his squad that they are no longer required at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. It is one of the least pleasant tasks that a manager has to perform.

“People can't complain because we've had our chances and it's been down to us to do the business,” explained Izzet.

“It's the way of football that players move on. You have to learn to adapt. The manager has high hopes, and he needs hungry players. There have been times this season when performances have not shown this.

“Now that this game is over, I guess that what will happen on Monday is going to prey on the players' minds. But there's nothing we can do about that. It's down to the manager now. We will have to take on board what the manager says. Everyone has had their chance.

“Perhaps some players can't cope with the pressure, and just whimper away, though I'm not necessarily saying that we have any here.

“We start from scratch next season. It will be the manager's first full season, and they will be his players at the club,” added Izzet.

Former Charlton trainee Izzet, who signed for the U's eight years ago, enjoyed a consistent season in the U's midfield, despite the club's struggle to clamber away from the drop zone, and then its aborted attempt to gatecrash the play-offs.

Izzet was in the 16-man squad for all but two of the U's 53 league and cup games, a record that was only matched by leading scorer Mark Yeates.

“I'm happy to have had a good run of games, playing alongside Dean (Hammond) in the centre. We were told to spoil things for the opposition and then get the ball out to our more creative players, which is what we have tried to do,” continued Izzet.

“Although I'm happy with my season, there are some things I would like to improve on, like scoring a few more goals (just one this season).

“I don't know what has happened! I've been getting in some decent positions all season, but just not scoring. But I will rectify it.

“It's not something that I think or worry about. I suppose sub-consciously it must, but it doesn't affect me. I just need a bit of luck, rather than my shots going down the keeper's throat or just wide.

“I've had to play on the right at times as well, which it not natural for me, but sometimes it's been a case of putting square pegs into round holes. You have to do the job asked of you by the manager.

“We'll be doing some weights this month to make sure that we are as fit as we can be. We need to make a better start than we did last season,” added Izzet.