And the U’s defender is keen to help his side maintain their unbeaten form and avenge their FA Cup painful defeat at the hands of the Robins.
Colchester host Swindon in League Two tonight, a month after suffering an extra-time loss to Ian Holloway’s side to bow out of the cup.
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On-loan centre-back Donnelly is eager to help the U’s continue their improved form and secure an important league win.
Donnelly said: “We know what Swindon are like.
“We know their strengths and their weaknesses and we’ll try and exploit that, on Tuesday night.
“They’ve obviously beat us late on in the FA Cup, which was very disappointing.
“But we’re five unbeaten, so we’re looking forward to Tuesday night and going for a win.”
(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)
Colchester head into tonight’s game in confident mood, following two positive results on the road.
The U’s claimed a creditable point at Fleetwood Town at the weekend, following up a 1-0 victory at Grimsby Town.
“It felt like it was a really dominant performance from us and we controlled the game,” said 21-year-old Donnelly, who is on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest.
“As a team, we’re a real collective group and it was a second clean sheet in a row away from home as well.
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“Fleetwood are a very good team who have got very high hopes this season and I think we showed we can compete really well, high up the table.
“Everyone threw their bodies on the line to get a clean sheet and we want to do that in every game we play.
“It’s not only us defenders and Matt (Macey) in nets, it’s the whole team starting from Samson (Tovide) up top.
“He worked tirelessly for the whole game at Fleetwood, chasing centre-backs and the goalkeeper down.
(Image: MATT WILKINSON)
“I think that’s what we’re about as a team.”
Donnelly has started Colchester’s last eight league and cup matches, having been in impressive form at the heart of their defence.
The Northern Ireland international has established himself in Danny Cowley’s starting line-up.
Donnelly added: “It’s been quite a difficult start for me but now I’m in the team, I just want to perform at a consistent level every week and make sure that the manager can’t drop me.
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“When I came in, I was a bit start-stop with a few international breaks in the middle of it so it was hard to get a bit of rhythm.
“I played against Brentford in the cup but then I was away on international duty.
“The team was building momentum and it was hard to get back in there.
“Now that I’ve really cemented my place, I just want to be consistent every week in my performances.
“I think at this stage of my career, that’s what it’s about, trying to cement my place in the team.”