SHAMAL George says he is loving life in Colchester United’s starting line-up.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper has had to be patient for his opportunities at the U’s since joining them from Premier League champions Liverpool, last summer, with Dean Gerken first choice.
George, who has been named in the League Two Team of the Week following his fine performance against Cheltenham Town at the weekend, admits it he had a testing time after joining Colchester.
But he has now started their last three games, taking his overall appearance tally for the season to 16 and helping them to the brink of League Two safety.
And after producing a man-of-the-match display in the defeat at Cheltenham, the 6ft 2in shot-stopper says he is enjoying his latest spell in Hayden Mullins’ side.
George said: “I love being in the team.
“At the start it was very difficult but I feel very comfortable with the team and I feel like they trust me and I trust them.
“It’s really good to be in the team and get minutes under my belt.
“I was at Liverpool and hadn’t played too many league games before joining Colchester.
“I think it was my 12th or 13th start (at Cheltenham) which is what I need at my age, getting games under my belt and push on.
“When Hayden came in, I was quite close to him.
“He’s a nice guy and he’s helped me a lot.
“He’s kept pushing me when I was disappointed and got brought out of the team and I was made up when he was made manager.
“He’s been very good since he came in and the boys are working very hard for him.”
George pulled off a string of impressive saves in Colchester’s 1-0 reverse at league leaders Cheltenham.
However, he was unable to prevent Conor Thomas from bagging a scrappy late winner for the Robins, at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.
The defeat left Colchester in 20th spot, six points above the relegation zone with two games remaining against Salford City and Tranmere Rovers.
