FORMER Colchester United manager Geraint Williams believed he was the man to propel the U's up the League One table, following the disastrous 3-0 home defeat at the hands of the MK Dons on Saturday.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United manager Geraint Williams insists that he “is the man” to propel the U's up the League One table, despite a disastrous 3-0 home defeat at the hands of the MK Dons on Saturday.

The pressure has been building on the Welshman since his side finished rock bottom and were relegated from the Championship last season.

Billed as one of the promotion favourites before the start of this campaign, at least with respect to a top-six finish, it has not gone to plan for the U's at the start of their new era at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

A second-minute opener from MK Dons striker Aaron Wilbraham, and two late strikes from substitute Sam Baldock, left the U's second-from-bottom of League One, with just one win from six league starts.

“Every manager is under threat, but when you're averaging less than a point a game, you're even more so,” admitted Williams.

“However, I believe that I am the right man to take Colchester United up the table, though I suppose you'd expect me to say that. I've been in football from the age of 16 to 46, and all you can do is try your best. If your best is not good enough, then it's time to move on.

“We have high expectations from the team, so of course I'm not happy and nor are the players. I assume the chairman (Robbie Cowling) is not very happy either.

“I pick the team and I set the tactics. That's all down to me. But it's not right to say that the players have let me down today.

“Things went well on the training ground during the week, but we did not have the shape that we wanted today. There was no quality,” added Williams.

A section of the home fans booed the U's off the pitch, both at half-time and at the final whistle, and Williams can understand their frustrations.

He continued: “The players and I feel terrible about this result. The fans pay good money to come to football matches, and if we don't perform, then they have every right to vent their frustration. You can understand it after the way we played.

“The fans were vocal, and they are entitled to their opinion. I'd rather that they shouted at me rather than the players. It's better that they shout 'Williams out' rather than 'what a load of rubbish', so as not to affect the players.

“We all hate losing. I feel the pressure, but then you're always under pressure as a manager.

“We've brought a lot of good players into the club, but also let several go, which you have to do. We need to make a profit for the long-term future of the club. We need to stabilise and get the club back up the league again.

“It's an understatement to say that I'm disappointed. We wanted to bounce back after the defeat at Crewe, but the early goal set us back. It set the tone for the afternoon, and we never really got over it. The goal affected us badly,” added Williams.

MK Dons manager Roberto Di Matteo expressed his sympathy for rival boss Williams at the final whistle.

The ex-Italy and Chelsea midfielder said: “I feel sympathy for Geraint Williams. He's a friend and I feel for him. You can't always win and I could be in that position at another time.”