MARC TIERNEY

MARC TIERNEY

MARC TIERNEY describes his first return to Boundary Park tomorrow as a must-win game for Colchester.

The 23-year-old former Athletic left-back knows mid-table Colchester cannot afford to lose any more ground if they are to mount a late charge for a top-six spot and a place in the promotion play-offs.

Tierney, signed by Colchester from Shrewsbury for £150,000 during the January transfer window following a loan spell, said: “There is a definite belief that we can still make the play-offs.

“But we are not naive and know we will have to pick up a lot of points and cannot afford many slip-ups.

“We have won at teams like Leeds and Stockport, which has given us confidence, and we will not be going to Boundary Park to grind out a draw. We are going there to win.

“It won’t be easy as Oldham are flying high but our manager (Paul Lambert) has instilled a belief that we can do it.”

When Lambert succeeded Geraint Williams as manager in October, The U’s were near the foot of the table and facing back-to-back relegations.

Not only has Lambert arrested the slide, but he has transformed Colchester’s fortunes.

Lambert inspired a 12-game unbeaten run which lifted The U’s to within seven points of the plays-off at the end of January.

But a run of three straight defeats in February saw them lose ground.

They arrive at Boundary Park unbeaten in three games, but still eight points adrift of the top six with 12 games remaining.

Tierney, who kicked off his playing days with Athletic before joining Shrewsbury, views his switch to Essex as a great career move.

He said: “It has worked out well. Colchester are an ambitious club and want to regain their Championship status.

“When I spoke to the club, I knew it was the right move for me. They have just moved to a great new stadium and have a good manager and some top players.”

Tierney admits that having his former Athletic team-mate Scott Vernon at Colchester has helped him to settle.

The move has taken him a long way from his roots in Manchester, and he is looking forward to his return to Athletic for whom he made his league debut at the age of 17.

Vernon, meanwhile, is also relishing going back to the club where he also kicked off his career.

His finest moment was scoring the match-winning goal in the famous FA Cup win against Manchester City, while his only hat-trick came for Athletic against Grimsby.

He was a non-playing substitute for Blackpool in the League One play-off semi-final against Athletic in 2007.

“I didn’t get on the pitch that day and am looking forward to doing so tomorrow,” he said.

Athletic manager John Sheridan has identified Vernon as a threat even though the 25-year-old has been unable to hold down a regular place.

Vernon scored his fourth goal of the campaign in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Hartlepool, only to find himself relegated back to the substitutes’ bench for their 2-2 midweek draw at Huddersfield.

Colchester have struggled at The Weston Homes Community Stadium, but have collected 25 of their 47 points away from home.

Added Vernon: “I don’t know if it’s been down to getting used to the new ground, but for some reason we have found it easier on the road.”

Colchester have won league matches at Swindon, Tranmere, Stockport, Northampton, Leeds, Brighton and Carlisle, which demonstrates that Athletic are by no means guaranteed three points in their bid for promotion.

LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES

TOMORROW - Bristol Rovers v Leeds, Crewe v Hereford, Hartlepool v Peterborough, Huddersfield v Millwall, Leicester v Cheltenham, Leyton Orient v Brighton, Northampton v Tranmere, Athletic v Colchester, Scunthorpe v Stockport, Southend v Walsall, Swindon v MK Dons, Yeovil v Carlisle.