COLCHESTER United marksman Clive Platt is dwelling on the positives rather than the negatives following Tuesday night's home defeat to league leaders Watford.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United marksman Clive Platt is dwelling on the positives rather than the negatives following Tuesday night's home defeat to league leaders Watford.

Platt swept home his sixth goal of the season to put the U's in the driving seat, but Geraint Williams' men could not hold on to a 2-0 lead, and eventually went down 3-2.

Even though the U's are just two points off the drop zone, and with just one victory to their name in the last nine games, target-man Platt is looking forward with confidence to this Saturday's trip to Cardiff.

“No teams are dominating us, home or away, that's why we will be taking the positives out of the game,” insisted Platt.

“We're not far off all these top teams. They are not battering us, and we are not being outplayed.

“We were two-up against Watford and still creating chances. In fact, we looked to be controlling the game. Perhaps we got a bit carried away at 2-0 up and continued to get forward too much.

“It was such a bright start to the game, but we let them back into it for five minutes before half-time. We still felt that we could get the next goal, even when Watford pulled one back, but suddenly it was 2-2.

“If we had managed to keep our two-goal lead intact until half-time, then we would have won,” added Platt.

Matthew Connolly had doubled the U's lead with his second goal for the club, only for Marlon King and John-Joe O'Toole to level in quick succession before the break.

That set up Hungarian international Tamas Priskin to nod home a 64th minute winner. Try as they might, the U's could not respond.

So lethal at home last term, United have currently conceded more goals than any other Championship club on home turf. Priskin's precise header was the 19th goal leaked in 10 Layer Road fixtures.

However, Platt believes that the defence is improving from what was an unconvincing start to the campaign.

“The lads at the back have been awesome in recent games, like at Sheffield Wednesday (2-1 win),” continued Platt.

“But Watford are quality. They play a certain style of football, getting balls and crosses into the box. They are a physical side, and we just got punished three times.

“A slight slip by Adam (Virgo) led to the first goal, which was a crucial moment, but Adam has been terrific for us in the last couple of games. We just knew that Watford would not lie down. They are very resilient, and that's why they are on top of the league.

“Yet if we keep creating the same number of chances, then we will be alright this season,” added Platt.

The U's club record signing, recruited from MK Dons over the summer for £300,000, has actually had more joy on the road than at home. Tuesday's night goal was only his second at Layer Road, as compared to four away from home. That's why he has no fears about this weekend's trip to Wales.

Saturday's hosts, Cardiff, are one place behind the U's on goal difference, although the Welshmen have one game in hand.

The Bluebirds are actually one of two clubs who have a poorer home record than Colchester. Both they and QPR have picked up just nine points, as opposed to the U's 10.