'By far the best team we have played this season' - Colchester United boss's verdict on Chesterfield
‘In the second half we went toe to toe with a really good team’
Colchester United manager Danny Cowley has tipped Chesterfield to go on and win promotion, saying “they are a top team at this level.”
Without a win since the end of August in League Two, the U’s were pressed back for long spells of Tuesday night’s fixture at the SMH Group Stadium before escaping with a 1-1 draw.
For Cowley, the point was among the most satisfying of his near three years in charge at Colchester partly because of the quality of the other team.
“It was one of my favourite games since I have been manager here,” he said.
“We were up against it. Backs against the wall. It was a performance of courage and belief and going right to the end.
“In the second half we went toe to toe with a really good team. For me, by far the best team we have played this season.
“I know Chesterfield’s supporters were frustrated at the end but if they play like that consistently, which I know they have done, particularly at home, they will get promoted, there is no doubt about that. So for us to go and to take a point was really good.”
Chesterfield had 20 shots, more than 60 per cent possession and twice as many touches in their opponents’ box than Colchester, only to have Dilan Markanday’s opener cancelled out late on.
“First half we were too passive and didn’t play with enough personality,” admitted Cowley.
“They missed some chances for sure, but we stuck in there and some of our defending was outstanding.
“At Chesterfield the pitch is so fast, and big as well, but second half we got up the pitch and put pressure and energy on the ball.
“Chesterfield are so good with it that if you let them 50 or 60 or 70 per cent possession then you’ve got big problems. When you get the ball you’ve got to try to look after it and we did that much better second half and started punching back as well.”
The point put Colchester in 19th spot, four points and ten places behind Paul Cook’s side in a tight division.
The two clubs meet again at Colchester on January 19.