| All square at Valley Parade today 10:11 - Aug 12 with 1845 views | durham_exile |
After the disappointment of a penalty shoot-out loss to the Bluebirds on Wednesday night, BG takes his Colchester charges to Valley Parade today.
Bradford started poorly at Crawley where they lost 1-0 and then drew 1-1 at Crewe before winning on penalties on Tuesday night. However, when you think Braford City and Mark Hughes it’s all really just about Andy Cook who despite reports to the contrary is still only 32.
And that’s all you need to know about the Bantams. 20,000 crowds, a physical presence, indifferent results but great expectations and they must be one of those vying for the top seven.
Can Colchester become another such team. Well, yes they can.
The signings this season have all added to the team and they showed at an almost deserted Cardiff City stadium (attendance 5,158 with 321 of the faithful) that they can hold their own against a Championship side.
Now the unfortunate sending off which I still can’t fathom. Clearly no intent but a foolish thing to lead with such a high foot in the 89th minute of the game.
The three matches that Samson will miss impacts upon the whole team and has led to lurid headlines in the press about Kung Fu kicks.
Joe Taylor can be a superstar for the U’s this season, but is he fully match fit at present. That leaves John Akinde and Tom Hopper as the only other first line strikers although Bradley Ihionvien has great potential.
Another signing has been promised but we are still waiting.
I’m not sure about the first-choice goalkeeper. Tom Smith would be my number one, but essentially there are three in contention Goodman, Hornby and Smith.
The defence is fine at present but Kelleher would definitely return to the back three when fit.
Midfield is also fairly well set and that just leaves the pairing for striker with my preferred option (post suspension) of Tovide and Taylor. Today we should start Akinde and Taylor.
Finally put Junior on the bench until the Stoke move is finalised. This is a distraction at present.
So, a team of 3,4,1,2 as follows:
Smith
Lawrence Dallison Hall
Fevrier Bandeira Read Iandolo
Chilvers
Taylor Akinde
Subs:
Goodman Greenidge Jay Kazeem Tchamadeu Ihionvien Hopper
Weather at Valley Parade after three days of decent weather here in Durham (I went to the Cricket at Chester le Street yesterday and basked in 24 degrees of sunshine) is due to be 20 degrees Celsius but showery at times.
At least the pitch will be decent playing there in August. Now we don’t actually have a bad record against the Bantams at Valley Parade and over the years I have watched several entertaining drawn games, some defeats but also some victories. I reckon today will be an exciting keenly contested encounter with a 2-2 score line.
Taylor and Fevrier to secure the vital goals.
Safe journey to the travelling faithful.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
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| All square at Valley Parade today on 14:04 - Aug 12 with 1794 views | wessex_exile |
Goodman and Tchamadeu starts, as does Hopper alongside Taylor. I know Hopper is copping for a lot of flak, but I will repeat he chased everything on Wednesday - perhaps Ben thinks that's what Joe is going to need alongside him. I hope it works, as I'd like to see what Hopper can do with some confidence behind him. |  |
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| All square at Valley Parade today on 14:41 - Aug 12 with 1780 views | mfb_cufc |
U's side to face Bradford: Goodman, Lawrence, Dallison, Hall, Tchamadeu, Iandolo, Read, Chilvers, Bandeira, Hopper, Taylor
U's subs are Greenidge, Kazeem, Fevrier, Ihionvien, Jay, Akinde, Hornby |  |
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| All square at Valley Parade today on 15:03 - Aug 12 with 1778 views | wessex_exile |
Players out late - doesn't bode well for those trying to get home on a train. | |
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| All square at Valley Parade today on 15:16 - Aug 12 with 1770 views | wessex_exile |
Taylor again 1-0 to the U's! | |
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| All square at Valley Parade today on 15:21 - Aug 12 with 1768 views | durham_exile |
| All square at Valley Parade today on 15:16 - Aug 12 by wessex_exile |
Taylor again 1-0 to the U's! |
Wessex Col U are on fire
Taylor is outstanding | |
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| All square at Valley Parade today on 16:11 - Aug 12 with 1732 views | durham_exile |
| All square at Valley Parade today on 15:21 - Aug 12 by durham_exile |
Wessex Col U are on fire
Taylor is outstanding |
Colchester the better team.
Great following from the faithful less one who threw a flare on and was escorted from the stadium.
Tchamadeu playing and playing well
Will he remain a Colchester player.
Taylor outstanding
Wessex, Hopper chasing everything.
Read busy similarly Chilvers.
Their goal was unlucky Goodman didn't need to touch it because it was going wide but on fairness he didn't know that however it presented the easiest chance.
Sparky already booked.
Bradford dirty. Cook mouthy.
I know I went for a draw but we deserve to win this
Up the U'sw | |
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| All square at Valley Parade today on 17:15 - Aug 12 with 1696 views | gerry_us |
Eighteen minutes over the normal time. MAD.
You'd have missed your train Wessex, if there actually was one! |  | | |
| All square at Valley Parade today on 17:28 - Aug 12 with 1684 views | wessex_exile |
| All square at Valley Parade today on 17:15 - Aug 12 by gerry_us |
Eighteen minutes over the normal time. MAD.
You'd have missed your train Wessex, if there actually was one! |
...and the six minute delay just starting the game!
Nothing to be too downhearted about result-wise, a solid performance against one of the sides I think that will be challenging for promotion, and plenty of positives to take from the game. Tchamadeu should have leveled for the U's, and a point would have been the least we deserved from the game. Still, beat Wimbledon on Tuesday night and we could be in the play-offs  | |
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| All square at Valley Parade today on 18:23 - Aug 13 with 1400 views | wessex_exile |
| All square at Valley Parade today on 17:28 - Aug 12 by wessex_exile |
...and the six minute delay just starting the game!
Nothing to be too downhearted about result-wise, a solid performance against one of the sides I think that will be challenging for promotion, and plenty of positives to take from the game. Tchamadeu should have leveled for the U's, and a point would have been the least we deserved from the game. Still, beat Wimbledon on Tuesday night and we could be in the play-offs |
According to reports on the Bradford City unofficial forum, the delay starting was because the referee demanded the U's change their socks because of a clash? | |
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| All square at Valley Parade today on 07:33 - Aug 14 with 1324 views | Daniel |
| All square at Valley Parade today on 18:23 - Aug 13 by wessex_exile |
According to reports on the Bradford City unofficial forum, the delay starting was because the referee demanded the U's change their socks because of a clash? |
I did notice that we were wearing blue and yellow socks, I guess from our away kit. |  | | |
| All square at Valley Parade today on 13:35 - Aug 14 with 1263 views | Leadbelly |
| All square at Valley Parade today on 07:33 - Aug 14 by Daniel |
I did notice that we were wearing blue and yellow socks, I guess from our away kit. |
Comments on the OMB suggest the socks worn during the game were the same as those worn during the warm-up so probably not the cause of the delayed kick off.
Any conspiracy theories for Sockgate?! |  |
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