Colchester striker Jabo Ibehre spoke to his club's official website ahead of his side's League One match against Carlisle at Brunton Park, Ibehre aware of the size of the game for the relegation threatened U's:
“It’s the biggest game for many of our careers. Obviously you want to be playing in the play-offs, but this is the equivalent. You are playing for your League One status, you are playing for your families, your own personal careers and your own pride. It’s maybe a bonus that Carlisle are not really playing for much. They are safe, and we are going there to rip their heads off!
“Ideally we would have wanted to go into the last game knowing we were safe and that we were just going to try to finish as high as we can, but it has happened and we are up for it. It is in our hands, we know what we have got to do, we are not relying on anyone else or anything. It is disappointing it has happened the way it has, but as long as it is in our hands and we are up for it we will be fine.
“Our away form has been pretty good since the turn of the year, so we are very optimistic about that, and our overall form over the last couple of months has been quite decent as well, after losing we seem to bounce back with wins. So, obviously we were disappointed with Saturday’s game, but we are up for it, we have been training hard this week working on tactics etc. So, we know what we have got to do and I am sure we will do it.
“A lot of things can make different things happen in the game, we did try last week, we were a bit lacklustre at times and we weren’t at our best. But, this week it is all or nothing and you know what is at stake, there is no other opportunity and there is no other time. It would maybe be in the back of peoples’ minds that we had another game if it doesn’t happen. But, this time there is no other game, it is now and we are prepared for it. Everyone knows what is at stake and what it is all about, there is no second chance this time.
“We have been working really hard, training really well and I am sure it will be fine. I have been involved at the other end before in getting promoted, but never this. But, if we win we will buzzing the same way. So, you don’t want to be in this circumstance but sometimes it is something to thrive on as well and something to look forward to. Throughout the season we have shown great character bouncing back from a bad run of form and a bad run of results. We have turned things around a few times when we thought it was all against us.
“The lads have shown great character and spirit and everyone knows what is at stake. So, I am sure we will come together and galvanise and be alright. Obviously, last Saturday evening we were a bit disappointed and cheesed off that it could have been all done, especially doing it at home on the last home game of the season would have been nice and ideal. But, in life not everything is ideal, but sometimes it is all in your hands and you can make it right.
“So, you move on from it, look forward to this game and prepare yourself right. We have been training and the tempo has been good and the lads are up for it, so I am sure it will be alright and we can forget about last week. Being a League Two player hasn’t even crossed my mind, we know what is at stake and we will be fine. You are playing for your career and playing for your life and when you are up against it you do what you have to do.”