COLCHESTER United chairman and owner, Robbie Cowling, revealed that new boss Paul Lambert was “head and shoulders above the others” during the interview phase.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United chairman and owner, Robbie Cowling, revealed that new boss Paul Lambert was “head and shoulders above the others” during the interview phase.

Mr Cowling believes that the U's have the right man to start making headway up the League One table, as the Essex club settles into a new era at the Community Stadium.

It was 18 days since Mr Cowling had announced the departure of former manager Geraint Williams, by mutual consent, following the 3-0 home defeat by MK Dons. Caretaker manager Kit Symons will preside over his fifth and last match at Cheltenham tomorrow, before Lambert takes the reins.

“We believe that we have the best candidate for the job. Paul was the unanimous choice of the whole board,” explained Mr Cowling.

“There was massive interest in the job. We received about 100 CVs, and we then had four interviews face-to-face.

“Three of the four would have done a very good job for us, perhaps all four. But Paul was head and shoulders above the others at interview.

“He has had experience at this level, and reached the play-offs with Wycombe as well as making the semi-finals of the Carling Cup against Chelsea.

“Hopefully his appointment will lift the club and mean that the fans become the 12th man on the pitch.

“I criticised some of our fans a few weeks ago (after the defeat by MK Dons), but I thought they were great against Leicester and again against Bristol Rovers,” added Mr Cowling.