Midfielder Tristan Nydam says discovering that he would be playing in Saturday’s game against Bristol City just before kick-off did him a favour as there was no time for pre-match nerves to set in. Nydam was a late addition to the Town side, which went on to lose 3-1 to the Robins, after Tom Adeyemi suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up.
"I only found out I was starting when TC handed me a bib during the warm-up and said I was playing as Tom was injured,” the 17-year-old said.
"I get very nervous before games so in a way it was good that I didn’t have time to think about it.
"Anyway, I have my faith and I knew the Lord would help me. Being nervous is no bad thing though. I think it can actually make me play better.”
Despite the defeat Nydam was pleased with his performance: "I enjoyed it. Bristol City are a very good team so it was a great test.
"It was hard but Skusey talked me through the whole game and I felt I did well. Winning man of the match was a nice boost too.”
Reflecting further on his faith, he added: "My faith is very important to me. It is very much a personal thing. Something I share with my family.
"It has got me through a lot of difficult times and it is a big part of my footballing career too.”
Nydam, who was born in Zimbabwe but brought up in Colchester, says Town, eighth on 18 points having played 10 games one fewer than most other Championship sides, need to be more consistent once they return to action following the international break.
”We have been a bit inconsistent, we get great results, then this,” he said. "We weren’t at our best against Bristol City but they are a very good side.”
Nydam is now off away with the England U19s for friendlies in the Czech Republic and Slovakia having made his debut in the 7-1 thrashing of Poland at the start of last month, adding to the single cap he won at U18s level last season.
"I’m away with England now,” he continued. "We are doing well. Although I’m one of the younger players I have played a couple of times [at domestic first-team level] so I can talk to some of the less experienced players, although I’m not Skusey.
"It’s good experience being with England, not just an honour but I have learned a lot being with players from so many different clubs.
"It has been quite a weekend with me starting and now going off with England but it has been brilliant.”
Bristol City’s first goalscorer Josh Brownhill was delighted that his side went through September unbeaten having recorded four Championship wins and two draws in addition to a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat of Premier League Stoke City. Saturday's win took them up to fourth in the table.
"It has been a good month for us,” he said. "We may have surprised a few people but probably not ourselves.
"We know we have a good squad of players. The manager has brought in more good players, we mix very well and we get on.”
One reason for that September success was summer signing Famara Diedhiou’s five goals in this last six matches - one of those in the Carabao Cup - during the month, including the Robins' second on Saturday.
"Farama has been excellent,” Brownhill said. "His English is improving all the time and he is very much part of this dressing room. He is excellent up front and is weighing in with goals.
"It is the same with Bobby [Reid, who netted the third], he can’t stop scoring. He has adapted really well. It has been important though that we get goals from everywhere.
"We are all contributing and that has helped. We are also strong defensively, throughout the team, not just the back four, who have been excellent by the way.
"I thought our centre-halves were very good again today. It was a shame to concede a goal after keeping three clean sheets but it was well taken and in the end didn’t matter too much.”
He added: "Teams may think they will find us out but as long as we continue to do what what we are doing - working hard, being honest, we have such a good squad of players here - I’m sure we can carry on doing well.”