Manager Simon Grayson is looking for his side to build on their win at Leyton Orient, but admits that patience on the pitch and on the terraces is vital.
The Lilywhites go into the game six unbeaten in all competitions and with three games in the next seven days, the gaffer is hopeful the side can get the results to cement their challenge at the top of the Sky Bet League One table.
The LMA selected the win at Brisbane Road as their performance of the week, but for the North End boss, it was three points that is now in the past and he is firmly focused on the next team ahead of him and his side.
“Confidence has been high after last weekend, but if we don’t get a result this weekend we will be disappointed,” he said. “The focus has been well and truly on Colchester this week. Last weekend was only one result, but we are doing okay and we have to build on it in an important week with three games in seven days.
“Any time you play three games in a week, it can really set you up, or it can knock you down. In ten days’ time we want to be looking back, sustaining the position we are in the league, however, our focus is purely on Colchester at the moment.
“We need to build on the run we are on and try and be still unbeaten in ten days’ time.”
One man who will be looking to get going again is forward Joe Garner, whose four goals in three games have staked his claim to be one of the first names on the team sheet and Grayson says that the former Blackburn man is showing in the games what he has been seeing every day in training.
“I have said many times that Joe Garner has impressed us in training. Maybe when he has been in the team he has felt a bit of anxiety that he has had to take his opportunity quickly; because he feels he has to score,” he continued.
“Having got four goals in three games he may be more relaxed. He’s had more chances in games than any other of our strikers, because his movement and awareness of where people of going to play balls to is excellent. He is also brave and gets stuck in too.
“He has taken his opportunity and it hasn’t surprised me, because he is a good footballer and shows it in training.”
The U’s have picked up some excellent results on the road this season. Jeffrey Monakana has played his part in that over the past couple of months, but the manager won’t be asking too much from his young winger in terms of advice.
“We will ask Jeffrey one or two questions, but we have done our work on them.
“They have picked up some good results away from home, so it will be one of those games where we have to be patient; the crowd will have to be patient as they will make it difficult for us to break them down, as Crewe did and as Tranmere did.
“We need to be patient in our play, but with a quick tempo, try and be bright and energetic and do what we need to do to win the game.
“I think there is always an expectation when we are at home and that can bring pressure, but we have a good vibe around the dressing room right now and we need to carry that forward and show what we do, getting the supporters on the edge of their seats, right behind us and if it’s not happening, they need to stay with us.
“Last week they drove us on from the beginning to the end and we need that again in Saturday,” he added.