Colchester`s Connolly In Start Claim

Matthew Connolly, on loan from Arsenal, has told manager Geraint Williams he is the right man to ease Colchester United`s defensive worries after reasserting himself in the starting XI following a recent omission.

The young defender has already been attracting some rave reviews for the Layer Road faithful, who would endorse opinion of Arsene Wenger that he is "talented" and just "too good" to rot in the reserves while he waits for limited opportunists to arise at the Emirates.

Connolly was even accredited with a goal in stripes, against Burnley, later to deny it as his own. But, since his rise through the ranks, the emergence of Adam Virgo in the back four restricted Matt`s own appearances, especially when he got sent off against Charlton.

For Colchester`s Evening Gazette, Connolly explained his frustration at having to warm the bench over the past couple of matches: "When you're out of the team, the main thing is to work hard and show a good attitude and I think I did that.

'I felt that I started the season well but Adam did well when he came in after my red card and he earned his place."

Connolly added: "I just want to try and keep my place and play well was happy to be back playing again against Ipswich and I enjoyed playing in my first big derby, even though it was very disappointing to lose."

Colchester capitulated in that game, although Connolly is hoping that his promotion back to the first-team can help stave off a serious flood of goals conceded.

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