Colchester will 'click' under Cowleys - Szmodics

Sam Szmodics had spells at Colchester, Bristol City, Peterborough United and Blackburn Rovers before joining Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town forward Sam Szmodics has backed Danny and Nicky Cowley to turn around the fortunes of Colchester United.

The Republic of Ireland international played under the brothers during a loan spell at Braintree Town earlier in his career.

Colchester are 21st in League Two and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Swindon Town on Saturday.

"They're great managers and two great men as well. It's been a tough start for them but hopefully they're not far away from it all clicking," Szmodics told BBC Essex Sport.

He has been back to Colchester, for whom he scored 35 goals in 142 league appearances at the start of his career, to speak to youth players about his 11-year journey to reach the Premier League.

The 29-year-old was signed by promoted Ipswich during the summer transfer window following a brilliant season for Blackburn in 2023-24.

But his family remain Colchester supporters and he is happy to retain links with the club as part of his planning for the next stage of his career.

"After playing, I want to go into that coaching or manager role and coming back and helping whenever is what I want to do," Szmodics said.

"[Coach] Steve Ball said can you come back and speak to some of the academy staff and players and it was a no-brainer for me.

"Being back as a Premier League footballer is crazy. It's something you always want, but if you get there is another question.

"Not every one of them is going to be a professional footballer - only a percentage of people in that room will be. But you've got to make sure you've done everything you can to be in that percent."

Szmodics has scored twice in 10 games for Ipswich but they are still waiting for their first top-flight win.

"It's tough. It's a lot more intense," he said. "The games are a lot quicker and the teams are a lot better in terms of individual quality - but it's somewhere I believe I should be and I've got to take the opportunity with both hands.

"We've had a tough start but we've played well as a team and hopefully that win's coming."

Szmodics backed boss Kieran McKenna to turn things around and said his attention to detail was top class.

"I feel I've learned a lot from him already and hopefully I can learn a lot more," he added.

"Last season scoring 33 goals was massive for me, and if I was going to get a move to the Premier League it was going to be this summer. I feel I'm at my peak now and playing with the most confidence I've ever had."