Colchester United are still chasing transfer targets as Danny Cowley’s side prepare for another League Two campaign with a thin squad.
What’s the transfer window grind about?
Danny Cowley admits Colchester United still have plenty of work to do in the transfer window as they build their squad for the season ahead. The U’s head coach says they have identified the players they would like to sign and have a clear strategy. However, he concedes it is not an easy market at present - and feels some clubs at League Two level are spending ‘crazy money’.
Colchester, sitting 12th in League Two with 66 points from 46 games, have already brought in Brad Ihionvien, Paul Digby, Sean Raggett and Jake Leake. But they lost Kyreece Lisbie, Arthur Read, Owura Edwards and Matt Macey earlier this summer.
Why the slow progress?
Cowley said: “We obviously still have a lot of work to do - that’s plain for everybody to see. We’re doing our best with that. Are we any closer to any new signings? Not close enough. It’s not easy at the moment. Football inflation is a real thing. Normal inflation is big at the moment; football inflation seems to triple and multiply every year. Some of the money that the clubs at our level are spending is just crazy.”
The U’s have a clear plan but must wait for the market to come to them. Colchester kick off their pre-season with a tough test against League One side Peterborough United tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm) at the JobServe Community Stadium.
What’s next for the U’s?
Cowley added: “We’ve got some tough games now - Peterborough and then West Ham and then Charlton and then Stevenage. We could do with some reinforcements for them but I’m not sure if that’s going to be possible, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
Colchester’s recent form shows two wins and three losses in their last five games (WWLLL), with a 2-game winning run ending before the summer break. Their last result was a 4-1 thrashing of Cheltenham on 2 May 2026, keeping their goal difference at +13 (62 scored, 49 conceded). They sit 21 points behind league leaders Bromley as Cowley’s men chase a push for the play-offs.
