Colchester United front-man, Kurtis Guthrie, believes that the U’s have “turned over a new leaf.”

Guthrie came up trumps with a superb equaliser, via a stooping header from Denny Johnstone’s cross, in last Saturday’s 2-1 home victory over struggling Notts County.

That made it 10 points gained from a possible 12, after recording three wins and a draw from their last four matches.

In fact, the U’s have not looked back since Guthrie delivered an impassioned past-match interview, following the miserable 2-1 defeat at Yeovil a month ago, which had left the club in the relegation zone.

Summer signing Guthrie accused the U’s of being “a shambles,” after conceding two late goals at Huish Park, to extend their winless run to 13 games.

At the time, he blasted: “We’re looking like kids out there, we’re getting battered, and we’ll get relegated if this carries on.”

But the mood is now a lot brighter in the U’s camp, and Guthrie is relishing his more familiar role operating as a striker, netting his fifth goal of the season against the Magpies to help propel John McGreal’s men up to 13th spot in League Two.

The U’s are in action at fifth-placed Luton Town on Boxing Day.

“We haven’t really looked back since that Yeovil game,” explained Guthrie.

“I always wear my heart on my sleeve, and speak my mind, whether people want to hear it or not.

“That’s the way it is, and I think we have turned the corner, which is the most important thing.

“Last Saturday was a similar sort of game to the Mansfield one (0-0 draw), but this time we showed the experience from the last week to go on and win the game.

“We didn’t really start very well, and overall I don’t think we played well, but there are loads of ways of winning football matches, and sometimes you have to grind them out.

“It’s the sign of a good team. A few weeks ago, we may have folded, but now it looks as though we have turned over a new leaf.

“We’re playing with confidence, and the belief is there. Having George Elokobi is a big boost for the whole of the team, having his voice around, He has helped us out, as has Garvs (Owen Garvan) coming in.

“It’s about time we turned it around, to be honest with you,” added Guthrie.