SCOTT Vernon admits to feeling that that he and the rest of the Colchester United squad let down former manager Geraint Williams, following the Welshman's departure by mutual consent on Monday.

Carl Marston

SCOTT Vernon admits to feeling that that he and the rest of the Colchester United squad let down former manager Geraint Williams, following the Welshman's departure by mutual consent on Monday.

But the U's striker is now looking to help caretaker boss Kit Symons to strengthen his own bid for the job full-time, starting with tomorrow night's League One test at Tranmere Rovers.

Vernon was a second-half substitute during the U's fateful 3-0 home defeat at the hands of MK Dons last Saturday, which prompted such an adverse reaction from many home supporters, leading to Williams' shock exit.

The ex-Blackpool and Oldham front-runner boosted his chances of a start at Prenton Park, by scoring in the U's Reserves 1-1 draw at Norwich City in a friendly on Tuesday night. But it has been a difficult week all-round at the Community Stadium.

“There was a sense of us (the players) letting the manager down. We didn't go out there and perform, so we were disappointed in ourselves,” admitted Vernon, with reference to how the team reacted to the news of Williams' departure at the start of this week.

“We could see that he (Williams) was upset, and that it was really hurting him.

“It wasn't just the MK Dons game, although that was bad. I don't think that we have performed the way we can all season. It's not been a great start to the season for us.

“It's been very bitty. We've played some good stuff at times, but not enough, and we haven't been picking up the results either.

“Obviously not winning the home games makes it worse. Last Saturday was a bad day all around, but I was surprised how the fans turned against us and the manager.

“That's the first time they have been like that since I've been at the club. We were running out of ideas on the pitch, in trying to get an equaliser, but you have to give some credit to MK Dons, who got the early goal and came with a game-plan.

“The fans turned at the end, with the last two goals, but we had to give it a go at that point. They voiced their opinion, but it was sad that they targeted the manager.

“I suppose that's football for you. People soon forget about what's happened before,” added Vernon.

The U's will travel up to the north-west this afternoon, to prepare for the game at Tranmere. They are currently second-from-bottom of League One, while Rovers are five points better off in 10th position.

Manchester-born Vernon, who signed permanently with the U's in January, following a loan spell two years before, is hoping for a positive start to Symons' caretaker reign.

“The situation has changed now, with Kit (Symons) in charge. It's a good chance for him to show what he can do. He'll be trying his best to make something of himself as a manager.

“These sort of things happen all the time. A manager leaves and suddenly someone else has a chance to impress.

“It's not for me to say whether the manager (Williams) should have been given longer. That's for the people above to decide. It's a tough one for the manager to take, but as players we just have to get on with it.

“At the moment, we have picked up a habit of losing. We must get rid of that habit, and get this last week out of our system.

“It's always nice to score goals, and I got one for the reserves at Norwich, although I must admit that the keeper should have saved that one. The ball went through his hands.

“Tranmere away won't be easy, especially after the unsettling last week that we have had, but we are determined to stop the rot,” added Vernon.