Reuben is reading the right script

Athletic’s assistant manager writes every week for Chron Sport
WHEN IT comes to Reuben Reid, it isn't just all about Reuben Reid any more.

He realises that he has to work hard and be a team player and he is getting his rewards.

Three goals in five games — the latest against Rochdale — have arrived for him. They may all be penalties, but he still has to put them away.

Reuben is a player who has grown in confidence and he is now having shots from outside the box. He isn't scared to take people on and looks fitter and sharper.

As a whole, the team is on a high at the moment after picking up two wins in succession.

The fact the second of them came in a derby is not all that important.

The main thing is, we got three points under our belts at Boundary Park for the first time this season.

Back-to-back victories are important and after coming off a good result against a capable Scunthorpe team, it was vital we carried that form on against Rochdale.

They started the derby game well and played some good football without really hurting us.

We coped with it well, though, and there was then a penalty decision and the sending-off for Neal Trotman. After that, we looked comfortable.

I didn't get a good look at the major incidents at the time, but I have since taken in the DVD of the match.

It is right that there isn't any controversy over the penalty or the sending-off, which was a bit of a rash challenge in an area of the pitch where we weren't going to hurt them.

There is always going to be added spice in a local derby. So it proved — and it worked in our favour.

After you get a couple of wins, everybody is a bit more chipper. It is standard throughout football — there is no better feeling than winning — and it runs through the whole club.

Nathan Clarke made his debut against Rochdale and did very well. The big thing he brings with him is experience.

He is steady and talks and organises well. That is especially useful, as we are a bit of a quiet side.

Nathan scored a terrific goal and it was evidence of the way in which he attacks the ball so strongly.

Overall, he is a calming influence. And when the younger guys in front of him hear him, it helps them out.

With Nathan playing alongside Zander, you have two good talkers.

It leaves us with a selection decision to make, as Jean-Yves Mvoto is now back from suspension and available for the Colchester game.

It will be a different sort of test tomorrow. Colchester play a more direct sort of football, with big Kayode Odejayi up front.

They will try to get it up to him quickly, pick up the second balls and try to play from there.

They possess some good attacking options out wide and just off the front man so we must be aware of that.

Colchester are scoring goals, but are not keeping clean sheets.

They were unlucky at Huddersfield and will be very difficult opponents, especially on home soil.