COLCHESTER United boss John Ward is more than happy for his side’s early-season achievements to remain under the national radar.

Following manager Aidy Boothroyd’s departure to Coventry City and the loss of key players such as Kevin Lisbie, David Prutton and Clive Platt this summer, few pundits predicted the U’s to be challenging for League One promotion this season.

However, following last weekend’s battling goalless draw at pre-season title favourites Southampton, Colchester – alongside QPR, Carlisle, Accrington and Chesterfield – are now just one of five remaining teams in the Football League without a league loss to their name.

A win over struggling Tranmere Rovers at home tomorrow would see the side surpass the seven-game unbeaten league run recorded by Allan Hunter’s Colchester side at the start of the 1982/83 season in the old Division Four.

However, despite this, Ward’s achievements were somewhat overshadowed at St Mary’s last weekend by the media coverage of Nigel Adkins’ first home game in charge of the fallen south coast giants.

That suits the 59-year-old just fine though as he is more than happy to quietly go about his business.

“It was all about Nigel and Southampton last week, but I’m alright with that,” smiled Ward, whose side’s home entrance music has switched to Kasabian’s ‘Underdog’ this season.

“If you’d have asked people to name four or five players from the Southampton and Colchester sides, I know which club the names would come from but, as I say, I’m fine with that.

“All the clubs I have been at have a little bit of the underdog about them and I’m used to working in the background a little bit.”

– Full story in today’s EADT.