John White Set To Attack More

John White has found himself back in the fold in recent weeks following a prolonged spell out of the team, performing admirably at the slightly more unfamiliar left back after the departure of Michael Rose.

The local-born 26-year-old came through the youth ranks at the club nine years ago and has amassed almost two-hundred and fifty games for the club, but he has yet to score a goal in the blue and white stripes.

Having always been known for his defensive solidity and not for his attacking prowess, U's boss Joe Dunne believes that it is an area he is hoping to bring out more in the full-back.

'John White has a lot to give and is similar to how I played,' he told BBC Essex. 'First and foremost he is a defender, but my philosophy is to keep adding to your game until the day you retire.

'I like my full backs to attack. John gives us a great defensive base but I believe he can also add a lot more to his game and be an attacking full back, and I've spoken to him about this.

'He possesses more attributes than he even knows - he can cross the ball, shoot and do a lot of damage, it's just about training his mind to do that.'

White arguably came closest to opening his U's account in Tuesday night's reverse to Swindon as his shot on the turn from just inside the box was dealt with by Wes Foderingham in the Robins' goal.

Dunne accepts that by playing on the left hand side recently it won't help his attacking edge too much, but insists it is still an area he is trying to develop.

However, having been within the club's system for over a decade, he also admits that White is the type of player that the squad needs.

He continued: 'He has done a sterling job at left back, and it's not as easy to get forward as you're on the wrong foot.

'He hasn't let the side down though and that's a credit to John, and he nearly scored on Tuesday. I just wish he would bring that out more, but he will - there's a real attacking full back buried in there.

'John is one of our own though; he's born and bred through our system - I was John's youth team manager in his third year - and he is the kind of player that every squad needs.'

With the departures of Michael Rose and Ben Coker recently, John has been left as the only real cover for that position at the moment, and Dunne says he is close to bringing in a youth loan to cover the gap created.

'We're in the process of covering left back at the moment, but he's away on international duty so, hopefully, that will be fixed up in the next few days.'


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