Coyne joined Colchester from Luton Town in January

Colchester United captain Chris Coyne has defended his team-mates in the wake of manager Geraint Williams' departure.

Chairman Robbie Cowling has suggested the players let Williams down in his final match in charge against MK Dons.

But Coyne told BBC Essex: "[Cowling has] put his money where his mouth is, so is entitled to have his opinion, but it's not something I agree with.

"There's no way one of those players would have pulled that shirt on and gone out to not do their job."

But Coyne felt those comments were a little harsh, saying: "Things happen in football, it's a different way of life to business, to building, to construction or whatever line of work you're in.

"Because you haven't got six, seven, eight or 20 thousand people screaming at you every time you do something.

We need a result to prove to people that they were wrong Colchester captain Chris Coyne

"So it's a different kettle of fish and although he's entitled to his opinion, and we respect it, I don't personally agree with it."

The 29-year-old Australian defender admitted the squad needed to produce a big performance in their next match against Tranmere Rovers on Friday night.

"We need a result to prove to people that they were wrong," he said.

"As a group of players [we] need to be strong and professional and we need to put a statement out to the supporters who harassed us on Saturday and to everyone who's looking in from the outside.

"[We need to show] that internally we are a strong group of guys who are committed as ever to this club, to play and to get results and push on towards the Championship."