Gavin Massey, pictured celebrating a goal for Yeovil against Colchester, will be hoping for a first goal for the U's at Leyton Orient

PASS the ball? Retain possession? Run at defenders?

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Colchester United’s newest recruit, Gavin Massey, did very little in the way of ‘keep ball’ football during his previous four months at Yeovil Town.

But that’s all changed now, thanks to the more refreshing style of play extolled by U’s boss John Ward.

Watford loanee Massey, who made his U’s debut as a second-half substitute during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to bottom club Chesterfield, will be hoping to earn his first start at Leyton Orient tomorrow.

For the moment, though, he is just happy to be playing possession football again.

“When I came in for my first day’s training at Colchester, we did a lot of possession work in training, and yet I hadn’t done that for months!” revealed Massey.

“We did possession drills. We didn’t do any of these at Yeovil, but the manager (John Ward) was telling me that this is what we are all about here, a footballing side.

“It made me smile, because I had missed that sort of stuff, getting the ball at your feet.

“I know the gaffer wants to play football and entertain. I like the way the gaffer plays here,” added Massey.

Massey had a sneak preview of the U’s possession style of football, during his visit to the Weston Homes Community Stadium with Yeovil in October.

The 19-year-old netted a brace for the Glovers in a 2-2 draw, but he was still struck by the U’s knack of keeping the ball.

“The possession that Colchester United had was ridiculous, when we (Yeovil) came down here,” recalled Massey.

“Colchester like to get the ball down and play more. They have players here who are more comfortable on the ball.

“At Yeovil it was just a case of grinding out results, but here the ball rarely goes up in the air, which suits my game.

“Under Terry (Skiverton), there was no messing around with the ball.”