Manager Hayden Mullins reflects on today's hard-fought victory in difficult conditions, extending County's unbeaten run at Rodney Parade to six games in all competitions this season.
Hayden Mullins reflected on County's late winner and a hard-fought victory at Rodney Parade.
I think it was a tough game. Colchester had a game plan and it was tough. The wind made the conditions difficult as well, particularly in the first half, when we were playing against it. It was hard to get out and get our game going.
They're a good side, well drilled and prepared for a tough game. At half-time, we spoke about being positive and trying to force our game on them. Thankfully, Tan came on and nicked the winner.
It was a good team performance, and there are plenty of positives for us to take from it.
Mullins also discussed the belief within the squad and what made the difference in securing all three points.
I think it's the belief. We always believe in ourselves and focus on what we try to do as a team.
One thing we know is what we're good at, and we don't try to do things that might cause us problems. We know how to make things difficult for the opposition and how to put them under pressure.
It was good for us to get the win. It keeps the belief going, and we're several games unbeaten now. It's another clean sheet, so there are plenty of positives for us.
The manager praised the strength in depth within his squad, highlighting the impact of the substitutes who made a difference against Colchester.
I think the one thing is that they train really well. We've got a really competitive group in the dressing room who push each other in training, which makes our job easier as staff and coaches.
Tan's been away with Wales, so we've missed him in the last three games, but the players coming off the bench have made a difference. Jed came on today and did really well, Tan came on and scored, and Yahya Bamba also came on early for Christian and added a real threat.
I could put any number of players on the pitch and they could come into the team and keep the performances going. It's healthy competition, and it helps maintain the level of our performances.
Mullins highlighted the team's defensive resilience after recording another clean sheet.
Definitely. I think the whole group deserves credit for what they're doing.
We put together a strategy and a game plan for how we want to attack each game and set up against our opponents. Sometimes it might be different, sometimes it might be the same, but the players go out and apply it on the pitch, which is really pleasing for us as staff.
Keeping three clean sheets in four games is huge, and the goalkeepers have been brilliant. This is a really tough, competitive league, so it's pleasing to see the players performing and getting the recognition they deserve.
The manager also provided an update on Christian Doidge, who was forced off through injury in the first half.
It's difficult with someone like Christian because he's an experienced campaigner, and it's not easy to get him off the pitch.
He was pointing to an area of his leg, and when he told us it was his groin and that something didn't feel right, we decided to bring him off. It's concerning for us because Christian doesn't come off the pitch easily.
Making the change so early disrupted us a little bit because he's a big part of what we do at home. We had to reshuffle a few things, but Yahya came on and put in a really good shift for us.
Mullins was particularly pleased for Tan Nyakuhwa, whose late goal secured the victory after coming off the bench.
It's a big moment for Tan, and for Jed as well. We call them game-changers, players who can come on and change a game for us, and that's exactly what Tan did today.
It shows that the boys are all bought in and understand their roles within the group. It's easy for players to become frustrated when they're not in the starting 11, but that doesn't feel like the case in our dressing room. We're really tight and together.
The manager also praised the contribution of the wider squad, including players who have had to be patient for their opportunities.
It's not just the starting 11. It's the seven on the bench and the other lads who were unfortunate not to be involved today. They all push each other in training, which is really good for us.
Finally, Mullins looked ahead to the challenge of continuing County's momentum and climbing the League Two table.
I'm just concentrating on us, really, trying to push us up the table, get into a really healthy position and keep building our momentum.