MOMENTUM is a fickle beast.

At almost the same time Town’s nine-game unbeaten run was ended by a late set-piece winner on Tuesday, Freddie Sears was striking late to give Colchester all three points against Chesterfield.

In the space of six minutes tomorrow’s match became one team looking to find a win for the first time in four and the other trying to go five unbeaten.

Cooper has indicated he has full belief in his system and the players to overcome the challenges presented by whoever they play, pointing out that but for two soft goals from set-pieces Saturday’s build-up would have a different tone.

The Town boss sees little point reading too far into the form guide and remains confident in his side to return to winning ways against Tony Humes’ men.

“I’m not going to go into the players and say ‘listen boys these are really on top form and we’ve got to be careful and we’ve not won for a couple of games’. I’ll frighten them to do death,” said Cooper.

“It’s on the day, it’s 11 v 11 and if we perform at the top of our game then we’ve got a brilliant chance of getting a result.

“We’ll make the players fully aware of Colchester’s threats and let them know where they can hurt us. Then we concentrate on ourselves.

“We musn’t lose sight of the fact it’s one defeat in a long time and if we can go on another run like we’ve just had there’s not problems.

“We have to make sure there’s no repeat of that defensive frailty.”

Colchester’s upturn in form has come since the elevation of Humes into the manager’s job, the former youth team coach putting an emphasis on young players, supplemented with experience through the likes of the recently-returned David Fox.

“Obviously seeing the game from the other night they’ve got some good players, young players and a very attacking side,” Cooper added.

“Freddie Sears scored a fantastic goal to win the other night so we have to be careful.

“(Fox) is technically a very good footballer and a lot of their play will go through him.

“They’ve got some other players as well, Sanchez Watt, who can do damage, Gavin Massey who is playing very well.

“We’re full aware of their threats but we have to make sure we play well first.”