Born and Bred: Colchester United

MJK- Aye it's been a real difficulty for us over the years, but hopefully over the season we'll find our feet and begin to sort out our problems against the sides at the bottom.

Justice- I really do hope so. I have been pleasantly surprised with our performance so far this season, if this can continue who knows where we'll be come May.

Griffin- A bit too early for that just yet, no?

Colchester United have had a lack of prospects coming through the ranks in recent years however this year could be the start of something very special, coming in the form of defender Cameron James.

Only 19, the center-back signed a professional deal in 2014/15 and would go on to make his senior debut just the next year, playing in Colchester's final game as they were relegated from League One. Last season the defender was loaned out to National League side Gateshead, playing 41 games and scoring three goals during his stay.

James has been playing with the U23's this season whilst training alongside the experienced head of Luke Prosser in an attempt to continue to hone his skills. The youth side, who are sit in 3rd in group four alongside the likes of Luton Town, Peterborough United and Boston United as well as many Non-League sides, have very much been relying on the consistent performances of the young Englishman this campaign, in which has seen the U's concede the fewest goals in their group thus far.

The club will be hoping to find similar stories like James, as the Essex based side have little to shout about currently. Players such as Callum Jones, who were tipped for much brighter things have struggled to find their feet and have been unable to kick on and challenge to find a spot in the first team. However, midfielder Louis Dunne, who is currently out on loan at James' previous club Gateshead has certainly impressed, racking up four assists in 11 games so far.

James' tutor and Colchester defender Luke Prosser spoke about his 'apprentice' saying, "Cameron has been an exciting prospect and many have been keeping an eye on his progress over the last few years especially. For someone of his age, he has a lot of maturity and can read the game very well – which is a must at this level. I can't fault his willingness to learn, he's always very eager to succeed and has that determination needed in order to be one of the best."

He added, "A few times when we've been training he's really surprised me, he can certainly tackle and nine times out of ten he'll come out with the ball, sometimes without you noticing, he's just that quick to get in there. But as I've said, I can see him succeeding and with such a great coaching team these days I can't see him failing, we just need the others within the youth squad to follow suit and allow us to build a real base of homegrown talent."

Have looked at this guy in game before, should become something really special for you if developed right!

We got the next Legend at the U's here. No matter what he will be a good asset for the next few seasons.

That goalkeeper rating of 3 will prove vital in moments of madness!

Griffin- I have high hopes for him, it would be nice to bring something through as he and Dunne as mentioned are really the only hopes we have.

MJK- I do hope he becomes a legend! It'll be a little while before he asserts himself as a legend though!

Justice- Definitely the case, no need for a sub keeper now.

We sat down with Colchester United boss Paddy McLaughlin to discuss a number of topics ahead of the game against Charlton Athletic. Here's how the interview went:

Obviously you've had great success so far as manager – how would you describe your time so far?

For me it's been a fantastic experience so far and I can't wait for it to continue. I have always loved football, it's a real passion I have and I continue to love the game even as a manager. I've had a lot of positives for sure, you know, promotion to League One is something I won't ever forget... The smiles on everyones faces and getting to celebrate with the fans on the last day of the season and going up as League Two winners made it even better. I've obviously had my negatives, but we always try and focus on the positives at the club and try to always go in the right direction.

How would you describe your footballing philosophy?

That's a very difficult question for me to answer if I'm honest. Obviously the reason you go out onto the pitch is to come off it with the three points and so I try to statragize against our opponents and alter my system and instructions to the players accordingly. I chop and change a lot, I'm always accessing the situation of a game and so if I see something isn't working I'll look to improve it to get the best results for us. One thing that is a must for me is to bring exciting football, I want to make every match memorable. I want the fans to go home happy with the football they've paid to see and to engage more people into the game we love as some managers just don't seem to understand that aspect at all in the modern game.

Did you find it difficult to adapt to professional football at first?

Definitely. The result came straight away luckily for me and so we, myself and the players, gained confidence together and continued to build on that which is what helped the most I think to adapt. I never played professional football and most managers usually have had a career in the game before coming into management and so you could say I started at a disadvantage but I love a challenge and so I knew I needed to learn quickly. The Sunday-League football I was used to in Ireland was completely different, but it helped propell me and gave me the basic understanding and building block I needed, so I will never forget those roots.

How would you describe the atmosphere here?

There is always a real buzz around the ground in which I was told wasn't really existant before I came in and so I'd like to think that I have created that in some way. Home games are brilliant because the fans always get behind the players and let their voices be heard, without them the game would be so much different and I can't thank them enough. They travel up and down the country paying their hardworked cash to watch us play and so they deserve results just due to the amazing and committed support they shown in every game of the footballing calender.

Do you plan to extend your contract if given the opportunity?

Of course I would. This club has done a lot for me in the short time I've been here and I want to keep delivering the success I have had so far to the fans. The journey with this football club won't be over for a long time, if ever, if I get my way. The aim is to improve, keep on improving and see where we end up. Football can take you anywhere, just look at some of the stories over the years... Leicester, Bournemouth... all doing something that many would have doubted they'd ever achieve, but they did it. I take great inspiration from those stories, we can definitely achieve the unthinkable and I want to do that with Colchester United Football Club.

What is the target for the season now you're in such a great position?

The target hasn't changed from the start of the season because we haven't achieved it just yet. Ahead of the season the first aim was to reach 50 points which obviously is the usual mark that secures survival and this was the point where we'd access our situation and then make the aims more clear from that point onwards. I try to be ambitious, but right now I want to keep a level-head and not get too far ahead of myself. We are newly promoted to this division so to expect an easy ride is lunacy in my eyes, we have to keep the expectations to a minimal just now and then we can aim high after we reach that points total perhaps.

Just how strong is your relationship with the chairman Robbie Cowling?

We get on very well and consider each other as friends as well as being professional partners. We communicate frequently and he is very committed to the team. The guy is a regular figure at the games which is commendable as many owners don't have the decency to turn up every week to even watch the team they own, which is a massive shame. We meet quite often to discuss things, he allows me to be a part of business decisions as well, giving me prior notice to decisions he makes and it really just helps my cause out a little bit, knowing what is going on with everything really.

Finally then... We've seen loanees Bradley Fewster and Eddie Nketiah enjoy strong starts to the season, can the fans expect a permanent deal to be made for the duo?

It's tough to say at this point in time as we are very early into the season. Perhaps when we get closer to the January window more can be said on the two, but both their parent clubs have not said anything about them. Brad (Fewster) could obviously be available at the end of the season, as his contract will be up so if nothing is offered to him by Middlesbrough we could perhaps pull off something there, whereas Eddie (Nketiah) is still very much tied down with Arsenal so we'd have to seek a further loan deal I'd imagine if anything. Both players have played brilliantly so far and I'd love to have them in permanently, but that's all I can say.

Thanks for your time Paddy.

My pleasure.

Very nice and detailed interview right there

Paddy's Potatoes are ones to watch!

Great interview man, really in depth and a very good read!

All- Thanks lads.

Excellent month there, a few close ones but you got the job done.

Eddie's on fire! Good to see you in an automatic promotion position, and very very close to claiming top spot!

An extremely good campaign so far, Championship football would be huge for the club!