Doogie: New Boys Doing Well

Karl Duguid, Colchester United`s long-serving captain, has given his thumbs-up to the nine new signings brought in by manager Geriant Williams over the summer to redevelop what was a record-breaking squad.

Duguid, 29, thinks that the additions represent a “breath of fresh-air,” especially in light of the exodus endured by the U`s at the end last season, where several key players left immediately after the club had recorded a highest-ever league placing.

The then newly-promoted side recorded an unprecedented tenth place finish in the Championship, although suffered a heavy break-up of the successful team. Forwards Chris Iwelumo and Jamie Cureton, the division`s most prolific strike paring during 2005-6, where among the high-profile list of casualties.

But skipper Duguid, a known fan of replacement striker Teddy Sheringham, said this week: “The lads who have come in have been a breath of fresh air. The defenders have stepped in well and the forwards are scoring goals.

‘It can take time to gel because we lost a lot of players and a lot of goals from last year,’ said Duguid, who was speaking at the recent Wickes Wall of Fame launch.

‘It’s been a big turnover but we’ve all just got on with it,’ he added.