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Suddenly things are looking very bright for DC and his Colchester United squad. The club has started to play with purpose and ambition and the results are very pleasing.
Now of course complacency is the last thing that we wish to consider pervading the corridors and changing rooms of the JCS but there is a togetherness and camaraderie prevalent within the team, squad and amongst the supporters.
This Saturday we look to extend the number of unbeaten games to 11 with a decent result at the Cheltenham EV Charger Points Stadium formerly the Johnny Rocks stadium but Whaddon Road is how I will remember it. Michael Flynn the pantomime villain is in charge but they also have former U’s favourite Ashley Vincent as First Team coach. U’s former player Harry Pell is still on the scene.
Now we owe them for a number of previous results but especially the Vertu trophy defeat recently and this weekend offers the perfect opportunity to rectify that result. I think that we will not only keep the unbeaten run going but also secure a 3-0 victory against the Robins.
Current table (top): Walsall 35 68 Bradford 35 66 Doncaster 35 61 Notts Co 34 58 Wimbledon 34 57 PV 33 57 Crewe 35 55 Grimsby 34 53 Bromley 35 51 COL U 34 49 Salford 34 49
Still plenty of games left and points but nothing can be taken for granted. Just ask Walsall who stumbled again the other evening and are now in serious danger of losing top spot to the Bantams. They still hold a ten-point advantage over Notts County in fourth spot but is it possible that they could slip outside of the automatic promotion spots and into contention for the play offs. Highly likely on current form.
As far as Colchester is concerned we still need to reach 72 points for that coveted seventh spot. Another 23 points from 12 games.
Maybe too early to predict the top seven but how about this – Bradford City, Doncaster, Notts Co, Walsall, Wimbledon, PV and Colchester United. Colchester v Wimbledon at Wembley in the League Two Play Off final on Monday May 26th.
Now Durham don’t get carried away (ed.).
Now no more of this careless talk or loose lips for the moment but more victories like the last two and the Cowleys will be dreaming of leading the team out at Wembley.
Fixtures: Saturday 8 March 3pm Cheltenham Away Tuesday 11 March 7:45pm PV Home - Sky Sports+ Saturday 15 March 3pm Fleetwood Home Saturday 22 March 3pm Bradford Away Friday 28 March 7:45pm Grimsby Home - Sky Sports+ Tuesday 1 April 7:45pm Gillingham Away - Sky Sports+ Saturday 5 April 3pm Notts Co Home Saturday 12 April 3pm Newport Away Friday 18 April 3pm Crewe Home – Sky Sports+ Monday 21 April 3pm Doncaster Away – Sky Sports+ Saturday 26 April 3pm Salford Away Saturday 3 May 3pm Barrow Home
I have predicted the Sky Sports+ Colchester fixtures based on the criteria that they are not Saturday and not 3pm. I am unsure of later Sky Sports+ fixtures. Is it possible the Bradford game might be switched to 1230pm? And shown on Sky.
DC has already hinted that this will require the squad to see us through the 12 fixtures (perhaps 15 games).
A settled team and squad is vital and injury and suspension free. Teddy Bishop could sadly be sidelined for some weeks and Read is doubtful for Saturday. Manny Egbo could play midfield and KVY full back if DC wants to make changes if neither Read nor Bishop are available.
Jamie McDonnell has gone under the radar, but he has been Mr Consistent for the U’s of late. Someone who needs a goal is Lyle Taylor who has failed to find the net recently.
If all are fit then our best XI for starting is probably Macey, Egbo, Kells, Flanagan, Iandolo, Bishop, McDonnell, Gordon, Payne, Edwards, Tovide but options surround, Thorn, Taylor, Aboh, Simpson, Scully, Read, KVY, Lisbie and Anderson. So, we are looking strong both starting XI and substitutes.
This weekend DC will be anxiously looking at the fitness of Teddy Bishop (just when he was hitting some real form) and Arthur Read. It may be too soon for both of them so I would go for:
Excellent preview as usual Durham. DC said post Chesterfield that Read was replaced because he had a stomach bug, so if that is the case then he should be OK for Saturday. Just hope no one else has caught it. I think that Bishop may have a hamstring injury, so he could be out for a while.
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Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 22:37 - Mar 6 with 1193 views
The physio report in Tuesday's programme was bleak as far as Bishop's hamstring tear is concerned. It might be the very end of the season before he returns.
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Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 05:43 - Mar 7 with 1137 views
Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 22:37 - Mar 6 by MarkyMark47
The physio report in Tuesday's programme was bleak as far as Bishop's hamstring tear is concerned. It might be the very end of the season before he returns.
That’s not good, fingers crossed he recovers quickly. Got my ticket for tomorrow, time for some Vertu Trophy payback, though to be fair we beat ourselves that night in an uncharacteristic Macey shocker. Incidentally, former U’s Harry Pell is out for most of the season with a ruptured ACL.
Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 22:03 - Mar 6 by mfb_cufc
Excellent preview as usual Durham. DC said post Chesterfield that Read was replaced because he had a stomach bug, so if that is the case then he should be OK for Saturday. Just hope no one else has caught it. I think that Bishop may have a hamstring injury, so he could be out for a while.
Hopefully Read will be back tomorrow. We don't really have a natural replacement in that position and any reshuffling of the players or formation is far from ideal. Bishop had been getting better and better this season and it's such a shame that he's suffered another injury but now is Read's opportunity to capture last season's form and be that influential midfielder we know he can be.
What sort of ban is McDonnel likely to get? Otherwise a great result allowingbus to close the gap. Teams around us will start to fear us. With Bishop out for pretty muchbrest of season lot going to rest on Arthur Read.
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Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 17:46 - Mar 8 with 550 views
Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 17:35 - Mar 8 by burnsieespana
What sort of ban is McDonnel likely to get? Otherwise a great result allowingbus to close the gap. Teams around us will start to fear us. With Bishop out for pretty muchbrest of season lot going to rest on Arthur Read.
Two match automatic suspension for McDonnell.
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Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 17:48 - Mar 8 with 549 views
Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 17:35 - Mar 8 by burnsieespana
What sort of ban is McDonnel likely to get? Otherwise a great result allowingbus to close the gap. Teams around us will start to fear us. With Bishop out for pretty muchbrest of season lot going to rest on Arthur Read.
Two match ban plus he’s away with Northern Ireland when we play Bradford so won’t appear in the next three matches for us. Very short in central midfield now.
What an afternoon of sport! Watching the U’s ride their luck on the laptop, to bring home a superb 3 points, whilst simultaneously waving my massive cock at the TV. More specifically, that’s a massive cockerel hat, as the French ripped apart the Irish in the 6 Nations. Back to the footie, how was that not a penalty? I thought I’d got the sports mixed up when Flanagan took their bloke out. I guess it makes up for some of the refs earlier in the season. Either way I’m not complaining!
Marchons, Marchons…..
……. jusqu'à Wembley
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Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 17:58 - Mar 8 with 534 views
Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 20:47 - Mar 8 by durham_exile
Flynn has lived up to his reputation tonight with an attack on our celebrations after the game.
Strange that he never commented when they defeated us in the Vertu Motors game.
Check it out on X.
He is a very bitter man.
Up the U's
Flynn drills his team well, but it's an ugly way to play. Cheap, nasty and cynical, and they nearly got away with it too, not helped by one of the most inept/ weak displays from the officials. I lost count of the number of times we all witnessed U's players literally have their shirt ripped from their backs, but in almost every case the ref was happy to wave play on and say that's okay. He certainly earned his Cheltenham Gold Cup tickets - terrible performance.
Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 20:47 - Mar 8 by durham_exile
Flynn has lived up to his reputation tonight with an attack on our celebrations after the game.
Strange that he never commented when they defeated us in the Vertu Motors game.
Check it out on X.
He is a very bitter man.
Up the U's
This is what Flynn said, after eating a bowl of sour grapes. From Gloucester live.
Massively let down by officials, disrespect from Colchester United boss Danny Cowley and injury blow - Cheltenham Town manager Michael Flynn after home defeat Cheltenham Town 0 Colchester United 1
Jon Palmer How did you see this afternoon's game?
I thought we did quite well today. We've been massively let down by officials.
In what way?
I will always try and concentrate on what we could have done better first. Their goal came after we allowed a cross in too easily and we switched off. He (Harry Anderson) has a free tap in. In the first half, we had exactly the same and Jordan (Thomas) misses an open goal, really. That's been our Achilles heel - we haven't killed teams off enough when we've had chances, but we should have had two stonewall penalties today. We've been massively let down and I am not going to say too much because I don't want a fine or a ban.
What did the officials say when asked why the penalties weren't given?
Nothing at all. The referee said on the first one it was a coming together of players, but my player is in front of theirs and it's a stonewall penalty. Everybody in the ground saw it and it was a really poor display today. It was borderline dangerous. It started in the first five seconds with an elbow, which I am not saying was intentional, by the way, on Tom Bradbury, breaking his nose. About 20 minutes later, Arkell Jude-Boyd has three teeth knocked out by an elbow and the referee continues to play, when it's dangerous. He doesn't even give a foul. It was comical, to be honest.
You lost Luke Young in the second half. How is he?
A good, honest 50-50 challenge between the two players. Unfortunately, Luke has gone in very honestly and I am not telling him to go in dishonestly, but he has probably done the medial ligaments in his knee. It could be four to eight weeks out, but let's see. We won't know about that yet, but that is the big indication of what it is.
Would it be fair to say it was a niggly type of game?
I thought they were up to all sorts of tricks. They were fouling, they were diving and I have always got on well with Danny Cowley. I am not happy with the way he celebrated. Yes, everybody is happy when you win a game, but I wouldn't disrespect his fans.
Did he over celebrate?
I do, yes. That's what caused all the drama after the game. Be happy you've won, of course. Cheer, but don't turn around and keep going on and on. The amount of games they were playing today was typical Danny Cowley's teams.
What happened with Ashley Vincent and Danny Cowley after the game?
Ashley was massively aggrieved with the over celebrations. As I said, I felt it was disrespectful and I will say it, I've always had time for Danny. He is not going to like what I am saying here, but I am tired of being nice and respectful when we are not getting it back, so I am going to stick up for my staff and my club this time. Our supporters don't deserve that. I don't think they give too much abuse to opposition managers, they don't even give it to me, which is unusual. It was uncalled for.
Something happened with Sam Stubbs after the game, also?
Yes, Danny was trying to get a reaction out of Sam and he got one, so again there was just no need for it.
How would you sum up your team's performance?
A solid performance, a lot better than Tuesday (3-0 defeat at Bradford), we competed, they tried to bully us, they tried all sorts. They are a good team as well, with pace and strength. They have experience. There is just no need for it, do what you do well and that gets you wins. That's why they are 11 unbeaten, so I am not coming on with sour grapes, I am being respectful and they have good players, but it was farcical and the referee helped them.
Is this the most frustrated you've felt after a game this season?
By a country mile, I am really frustrated. Like I said, I am more concerned with the goal we conceded and the open goal we missed, because that just can't happen. Look at that first. Lots to improve on, but I was proud of the way our players stood up for each other today and battled and kept going, even though we haven't won the game. That was a good togetherness from our side.
It was a big, physical test and they stood up to it very well
They did. We are not the biggest of teams, but they have a big heart and in that respect I am proud of my players.
It's a balancing act isn't it between playing the game a bit, but also being respectful and keeping your standards high
Of course it is, 100 per cent. I think they fell short of that today, with the respect part. That was the only disappointing thing. They have won the game, three points, they are on a very good run, but it's not like they've just won the league. So I don't understand it. There is no animosity between me and their manager, between our club and their club. I get it if it was Wigan v Bolton, Bristol Rovers v Bristol City or Celtic v Rangers, Man United v Liverpool and all those rivalries, but it's about 225 miles away.
Will you go and chat to Danny Cowley now?
They pop up sometimes. I will have a chat with him and I'll be honest with him. I will say it's very unlike you with our relationship, bit disappointed. See how it goes.
Joe Day with a couple of big saves, and another good performance from him
He is phenomenal, he's been excellent for us. When a goalkeeper gets man of the match, it seems to be that we've had our backs against the wall and he's kept us in it, a bit like Alisson the other night for Liverpool (v PSG). It was nothing like that. They had one or two half chances, but I can't remember too many that they had. Apart from the two he did save. Frustrating.
You knew how good Joe Day was when you brought him here, but he seems to have a new lease of life after not much EFL football in recent seasons
He is one of the best gentlemen I've met in the game. He's a friend now. He is a credit to himself, his family and he is Joe Day five years ago on the pitch now. He has that bit between his teeth. I hope for as long as he's here, he gets to taste one more bit of success with us, over the next few years. He's in fantastic shape, he is ripped, he doesn't drink, we know what he's good at and what he's not. He is a quiet man, a gentleman and I can't sing his praises highly enough. He can keep playing until he is 40 because he is that good a condition.
How is Arkell Jude-Boyd after three teeth being smashed out?
They were all bent down the back of his throat. They kind of straightened them up now. I haven't had chance to see him enough. I'd have probably pulled them out at half-time and carried on, or whenever, but that's easy to say. As long as doesn't come in with teeth like Ethon Archer now, with all the gold and silver in there, I am sure it won't make too much difference!
[Post edited 9 Mar 9:33]
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Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 06:29 - Mar 9 with 203 views
Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road on 23:16 - Mar 8 by mfb_cufc
This is what Flynn said, after eating a bowl of sour grapes. From Gloucester live.
Massively let down by officials, disrespect from Colchester United boss Danny Cowley and injury blow - Cheltenham Town manager Michael Flynn after home defeat Cheltenham Town 0 Colchester United 1
Jon Palmer How did you see this afternoon's game?
I thought we did quite well today. We've been massively let down by officials.
In what way?
I will always try and concentrate on what we could have done better first. Their goal came after we allowed a cross in too easily and we switched off. He (Harry Anderson) has a free tap in. In the first half, we had exactly the same and Jordan (Thomas) misses an open goal, really. That's been our Achilles heel - we haven't killed teams off enough when we've had chances, but we should have had two stonewall penalties today. We've been massively let down and I am not going to say too much because I don't want a fine or a ban.
What did the officials say when asked why the penalties weren't given?
Nothing at all. The referee said on the first one it was a coming together of players, but my player is in front of theirs and it's a stonewall penalty. Everybody in the ground saw it and it was a really poor display today. It was borderline dangerous. It started in the first five seconds with an elbow, which I am not saying was intentional, by the way, on Tom Bradbury, breaking his nose. About 20 minutes later, Arkell Jude-Boyd has three teeth knocked out by an elbow and the referee continues to play, when it's dangerous. He doesn't even give a foul. It was comical, to be honest.
You lost Luke Young in the second half. How is he?
A good, honest 50-50 challenge between the two players. Unfortunately, Luke has gone in very honestly and I am not telling him to go in dishonestly, but he has probably done the medial ligaments in his knee. It could be four to eight weeks out, but let's see. We won't know about that yet, but that is the big indication of what it is.
Would it be fair to say it was a niggly type of game?
I thought they were up to all sorts of tricks. They were fouling, they were diving and I have always got on well with Danny Cowley. I am not happy with the way he celebrated. Yes, everybody is happy when you win a game, but I wouldn't disrespect his fans.
Did he over celebrate?
I do, yes. That's what caused all the drama after the game. Be happy you've won, of course. Cheer, but don't turn around and keep going on and on. The amount of games they were playing today was typical Danny Cowley's teams.
What happened with Ashley Vincent and Danny Cowley after the game?
Ashley was massively aggrieved with the over celebrations. As I said, I felt it was disrespectful and I will say it, I've always had time for Danny. He is not going to like what I am saying here, but I am tired of being nice and respectful when we are not getting it back, so I am going to stick up for my staff and my club this time. Our supporters don't deserve that. I don't think they give too much abuse to opposition managers, they don't even give it to me, which is unusual. It was uncalled for.
Something happened with Sam Stubbs after the game, also?
Yes, Danny was trying to get a reaction out of Sam and he got one, so again there was just no need for it.
How would you sum up your team's performance?
A solid performance, a lot better than Tuesday (3-0 defeat at Bradford), we competed, they tried to bully us, they tried all sorts. They are a good team as well, with pace and strength. They have experience. There is just no need for it, do what you do well and that gets you wins. That's why they are 11 unbeaten, so I am not coming on with sour grapes, I am being respectful and they have good players, but it was farcical and the referee helped them.
Is this the most frustrated you've felt after a game this season?
By a country mile, I am really frustrated. Like I said, I am more concerned with the goal we conceded and the open goal we missed, because that just can't happen. Look at that first. Lots to improve on, but I was proud of the way our players stood up for each other today and battled and kept going, even though we haven't won the game. That was a good togetherness from our side.
It was a big, physical test and they stood up to it very well
They did. We are not the biggest of teams, but they have a big heart and in that respect I am proud of my players.
It's a balancing act isn't it between playing the game a bit, but also being respectful and keeping your standards high
Of course it is, 100 per cent. I think they fell short of that today, with the respect part. That was the only disappointing thing. They have won the game, three points, they are on a very good run, but it's not like they've just won the league. So I don't understand it. There is no animosity between me and their manager, between our club and their club. I get it if it was Wigan v Bolton, Bristol Rovers v Bristol City or Celtic v Rangers, Man United v Liverpool and all those rivalries, but it's about 225 miles away.
Will you go and chat to Danny Cowley now?
They pop up sometimes. I will have a chat with him and I'll be honest with him. I will say it's very unlike you with our relationship, bit disappointed. See how it goes.
Joe Day with a couple of big saves, and another good performance from him
He is phenomenal, he's been excellent for us. When a goalkeeper gets man of the match, it seems to be that we've had our backs against the wall and he's kept us in it, a bit like Alisson the other night for Liverpool (v PSG). It was nothing like that. They had one or two half chances, but I can't remember too many that they had. Apart from the two he did save. Frustrating.
You knew how good Joe Day was when you brought him here, but he seems to have a new lease of life after not much EFL football in recent seasons
He is one of the best gentlemen I've met in the game. He's a friend now. He is a credit to himself, his family and he is Joe Day five years ago on the pitch now. He has that bit between his teeth. I hope for as long as he's here, he gets to taste one more bit of success with us, over the next few years. He's in fantastic shape, he is ripped, he doesn't drink, we know what he's good at and what he's not. He is a quiet man, a gentleman and I can't sing his praises highly enough. He can keep playing until he is 40 because he is that good a condition.
How is Arkell Jude-Boyd after three teeth being smashed out?
They were all bent down the back of his throat. They kind of straightened them up now. I haven't had chance to see him enough. I'd have probably pulled them out at half-time and carried on, or whenever, but that's easy to say. As long as doesn't come in with teeth like Ethon Archer now, with all the gold and silver in there, I am sure it won't make too much difference!
[Post edited 9 Mar 9:33]
I read this online on the journey home. That is one of the most immature and embarrassing piles of sour grapes I think I’ve ever seen. He needs to dry his eyes and grow up.
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