COLCHESTER United boss Aidy Boothroyd has admitted that he “still has a lot to do,” but he was satisfied with his side's point at Swindon Town.The U's are unbeaten under Boothroyd, following successive away draws at Southampton (0-0) and Swindon (1-1).

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United boss Aidy Boothroyd has admitted that he “still has a lot to do,” but he was satisfied with his side's point at Swindon Town.

The U's are unbeaten under Boothroyd, following successive away draws at Southampton (0-0) and Swindon (1-1). Next weekend the ex-Watford boss will experience his first home game, against Hartlepool.

“The first thing to do is to build a team, and we are already proving difficult to beat,” explained Boothroyd.

“Two points from two games is not great, but it's all right for now. This is a work in progress.

“There's still a lot to do, but if we can win all our home games, and get a point away from home, then you always have half-a-chance.”

Boothroyd saw his side take a 21st minute lead through Ashley Vincent, although the U's winger injured his ankle in converting the chance.

The previous weekend, the U's boss had seen midfielder Kem Izzet sent off, and his skipper Pat Baldwin stretchered off, at Southampton.

He continued: “I thought, welcome back to management! I've already had two of my players stretchered off, and another sent off.

“Ashley (Vincent) had looked a threat. We've put ice on the injury, and he's had it compressed. We'll have to wait and see how it reacts.

“But not to worry, because we're still unbeaten and we will take the point.

“Swindon are a good side. I've seen them play several times. They have a nice balance and I think they will be up there at the end, so this was a good gauge for us, as was Southampton away the previous week.

“We dug in, and when you do that you have a chance of nicking it at the end. If we had defended better from our own corner (leading to Obadeyi's equaliser), then we'd probably be going home with all three points.

“We have not done much defending our own attacking plays in training. The players are not programmed what to do, so as not to get hit on the counter-attack, but they will,” added Boothroyd.

Jamie Guy had his first outing in a Colchester shirt for seven months, when he came on for the injured Vincent. Guy was eventually substituted himself, by David Fox on 65 minutes.

Boothroyd said: “Jamie is a big, strong lad, and he's come in from the wilderness. He has a point to prove.

“But I had to take him off in the end, because otherwise he would have fallen over (lack of match fitness due to recent injury). It was his first performance of the season.

“Phil Ifil was also on the bench today. Everyone will get their chance. There's a lot of hard work ahead of us,” added Boothroyd.