ANTONI Sarcevic has warned Wanderers not to expect a free ride as they go in search of a maiden League Two victory at Colchester United this weekend.

The Bolton captain encountered the U’s twice last season in a Plymouth Argyle shirt, bittersweet meetings that saw him score the winning goal at Home Park last August but also end up on the wrong end of a 3-0 score-line in February at the JobServe Stadium.

Wanderers need some momentum after three defeats on the spin in league and cup but Sarcevic does not expect it to come easily in what is one of the longest trips on the calendar for Ian Evatt's men.

“Colchester is a tough place, a long journey for us,” he said. “They are a well-structured team, even though they lost a few because of financial difficulties.

“I watched them through the play-offs and we (at Plymouth) had a couple of really competitive games against Colchester last season, so there will be a big test. We have to be ready.”

One man who knows Saturday’s opponents better than most is midfielder, Brandon Comley, one of 18 new arrivals in the camp at Lostock this summer.

The Montserrat international left Colchester in June after the club admitted publicly that they had to trim costs during the pandemic.

Sarcevic feels his team-mate will be motivated to do well.

“Brandon was one of the players they couldn’t keep, I played against him last year,” he said.

“Their loss if definitely our gain. But there are lot of other lads there we’ll have to consider. We have to win, it’s that simple.”

After the dissatisfaction of defeat against Forest Green, Sarcevic led the dressing room retort with a plea for patience from supporters as the team beds itself in.

And though the Whites skipper accepts criticism of performances is inevitable, he is confident results will soon give people something more positive to discuss.

“They will be frustrated, we’re not winning games, it’s as simple as that,” he said.

“But all I can say is that it’s a long season, there are 45 games to go.

“Promotions don’t happen on the first day and if they stay with us it will start clicking.”