ratings updated 11 Oct 2026
Profile
Season stats
Full career & schedule →Domestic-league season · Colchester.
Performance data · by competition
| Competition | Apps | G | A | Min | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 League Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 96 | 7.3 |
Scout report
J. Payne is a 32-year-old central midfielder at Colchester, enjoying a standout season — 0 goals and 1 assists in 9 appearances, a Season grade of 13, top 52% of League Two central midfielders. On long-term scout potential he's rated 11.9, ranking 187th of 254 in the League Two. A seasoned veteran, he has been a rotation option (39% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.79 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Payne.
Judged on this season alone, Payne graded 13 — a workmanlike campaign that ranks 25th of 48 of the 48 central midfielders in the League Two, on 0 goals, 1 assist and 2.788 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's a drop on last season (Season 38 → 13). Over the 7 seasons on record his form has drifted down, peaking in 2020/21.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 12, 39th of 48 of the 48 central midfielders in the League Two. At 32 Payne is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 0.9 reflects that trajectory.
Past his 2020/21 peak — the recent trend is downward, so buyers are paying for what's left, not what was.
Output in context · Colchester finished 20th of 24 · a lower-table side
2.79 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 2 clean sheets across 9 appearances. Doing that for a lower-table side (20th of 24) is harder than the bare numbers suggest: a back line under more pressure has to defend more often and protects fewer leads, so the volume — and any clean sheets — carry real weight. Going forward he chipped in 0 goals and 1 assist — a useful bonus from the back.
Watch points
- Game time. Only 39% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
- Age curve. At 32, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
- Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.
Outlook
With a Rating of 11.9, Payne carries the 39th-highest potential of the central midfielders in the League Two of 48 — though on just 9 appearances this season, so the standing rests on a small sample. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.79 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.8× and falling).
Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.
Season statistics
Bars = where he ranks among central midfielders in the League Two with 600+ minutes this season.
Shooting
Passing
Possession
Defending
Yellow/red cards
Transfer news
No transfer news found for this player.
