Optimism Leaps Fortress Walls

Were we talking Manchester United, rather than Colchester, it would be easier to believe the words bouncing off the Fortress Layer Road walls.

Manager Geraint Williams has refused to answer any questions about the play-offs, as if to indicate that his squad are not entertaining the thought.

Sorry boss - today`s score is serial optimism 1, realism 0.

"If I`m stood here next week with three more points on the board," Williams told the club`s official website a couple of days ago, "then maybe I`ll talk about the play-offs."

During the past seven days, Jamie Cureton, Chris Iwelumo, Wayne Brown, Hogan Ephraim and Karl Duduid have all come out declaring a gate-crashing intention; they want a top six finish in their first Coca-Cola Championship season, no bones about it.

All eyes fell on Kevin Watson, whose writings for the Evening Gazette yesterday potentially offered to hose down the fiery hyperbole that burns bright in Britain`s oldest recorded town.

No such luck - his comments served to further outstrip the Williams line that "the lads are writing a little history," which is merely states a fact.

As the newsreel has stated all year long, Colchester are thriving at their highest level ever, with the division`s most productive strike paring, and best disciplinary record.

Now that the team have secured their primary target for the year - avoiding relegation - the aim is to get as many points on the board as possible, and secure a play-off place.

The U`s, currently ninth, must "must win three out of four" remaining games according to Hogan Ephraim, if they are to sneak into the top places.

Ahead of tomorrow`s clash against Hull, Williams resumes the story: "I`ve watched a DVD of their last home match against Norwich and they were fighting tooth-and-nail from first whistle until last.

"We expect a battle up there and it`s going to be a tough game," he added.

Should the U`s win, it will probably be without Watson. The midfielder, involved in all the previous matches that began a current run of four matches without defeat, has a hamstring problem.

Three points permitting, we can anticipate Williams to finally flick his mental switch. Colchester have earned the right, after all, to indulge in improbable dreams of potential Premiership pastures.

In living for the moment, fans must briefly be asking themselves the question: am I enjoying all this enough? After that, they beg Geraint Williams to join the dots. With so few matches left, plenty of others have.

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