Chris Beech admits he is considering changing his Carlisle United side – even though he believes his team do not deserve heavy criticism.

The Blues head to Colchester tomorrow hoping to end the winless run which has knocked their promotion bid.

They have a chance to get back to form against a struggling Us side who have not won in 14 games – a run going back to December 8.

Beech insisted United’s performance in the 3-1 defeat against Oldham on Saturday had merit but he could still ponder a different line-up in Essex.

“It’s easier to make changes when it’s no good,” the head coach said.

“The results are no good. But the performance [on Saturday] isn’t no good.

“There comes a point where sometimes, even [when] doing the right things, you might need to make that change, and it might be now.

“I’ll just digest everything. I’ll think about Colchester’s strengths.

“We’ve got 19 games left, I want to win a certain amount of them in my head, but you’re never going to get that amount unless you win the next one, and I will not panic.”

Beech said United’s commitment in Saturday’s defeat to Harry Kewell's side was of the right order despite the flaws that led to the result.

He added that he must strike the right balance himself between criticising his players and building them up ahead of their game against Wayne Brown’s fourth-bottom Colchester.

“Support comes in many different facets,” he said.

“If you see players pulling out of tackles, lying on the floor, rolling around, not running hard…yeah, we’re gonna get things wrong, but if I’d seen that I would say we’re suggestive of vital criticism, especially off me.

“But I’ve got to get the balance right between supporting, challenging and making sure we get back to where we want to be.”

If Beech changes things at the JobServe Community Stadium then Lewis Alessandra could be among the candidates for a recall.

United, in 10th, are now four points outside the play-off places although they still have games to make up on their rivals.

Beech said their recent results is not the result of a lack of belief and said it is important Carlisle continue to have faith in themselves.

He said: “The lads are believing in themselves. You don’t go to Salford and draw, put Tranmere on the back foot or start a game like we did [on Saturday] without believing in yourself.

“What you need to do while you’re in those periods is not take your foot off the gas and make sure you get what you want.

“The players on the pitch need to represent that, and individually they need to do the things they’re good at.

“We’ve got some good players who have created an energy and a way of playing that has been nationally recognised, and this is the first time they are under pressure as players because a lot of them haven’t been in this position before.

“They’ve done ever so well to put themselves into that position and excite everybody, and what they need to do now is step up to the plate and keep doing the things they’re good at.

“A lot of them haven’t completed a full season of football before, so it’s all experiences, but while we’re learning I still want us to be winning.”

Colchester could field ex-Blues loan keeper Shamal George after he came on for the second half of their 3-0 defeat at Forest Green.

George, who made seven appearances for United whilst on loan from Liverpool in the 2017/18 season, replaced Dean Gerken at the break on Saturday.