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Another Away win, another resounding performance, this time against one of our bogey teams results wise in Cheltenham. Michael Flynn didn’t disappoint in his vitriolic post-match rant. Some of the most outrageous comments I have ever read from a Manager.
All I would say Michael is keep away from the Cheltenham festival. Should you venture along then “Honest Durham” could offer you the following nags. The Ryanair Chase has “Hitman” on the card, whilst the Champion Hurdle has “Brighterdaysahead” but definitely save your money Michael for the Gold Cup and “Gentlemansgame”.
So, the Super U’s forge ahead and are now unbeaten for 11 games for the second time this season. The first set of 11 was ended with three straight defeats but this time the second set looks more decisive; the U’s are stronger and the support from the bench is far more effective.
The table also makes for pleasant reading: Walsall 36 68 Bradford 36 66* Doncaster 36 62* Wimbledon 35 60 Notts Co 35 58* PV 34 58* Crewe 36 56* Grimsby 35 56* COL U 35 52
The teams with asterisks denotes those rivals that we still have to play. In fact, the Bantams game is boiling up to be an absolute cracker prior to Easter.
In fact, you have to consider that it is now any 7 from these 9 teams for promotion. We have 11 games to play with the possibility of three more games after these.
To put these statistics into context if we go back through some of the Col U records, we last reached the play offs in the truncated season 2019/20 when we finished 6th with 58 points from 37 games and lost to Exeter in the play-off semi-final.
Prior to that 2018/19 saw us achieve 70 points from 46 games. 2009/10 whilst in League 1 and we achieved 72 points from 46 games. 2005/06 was that halcyon season under Parky when 79 points from 46 games saw us finish runners up and gain promotion to the championship. 1997/98 and we achieved 74 points from 46 games in the old Third Division. 1995/96 and it was 72 points from 46 games and prior to that in 1991/92 92 points from 46 games in the Conference and promotion.
The prospect of more than 70 points from 46 games this season is an appealing one but we can do much better than that both points and position wise.
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
Of course, a 12th game unbeaten is the ultimate aim this evening. Port Vale will be difficult. We drew 1-1 at Vale Park earlier in the season. They are an uninspiring but forthright side and certainly hard to beat having only lost 6 games this season whilst winning 15 and drawing 13. Darren Moore can count upon former U’s defender in the shape of Connor Hall.
Now the JCS is at last becoming a fortress and tonight’s televised game is followed by another tight game on paper against Fleetwood, again at the JCS. Six more points ahead of the Bantams game and we could already be in the Play Off positions before we go to Valley Parade.
Of course, before I continue to way lyrical things are not all rosy sadly. Teddy Bishop is side-lined for several matches unfortunately. Jamie McDonnell will miss the next three games after picking up sufficient bookings (which accounts for 2 games) and being selected for the U21’s for Northern Ireland which means he also misses the Bradford game.
However, DC has options with Tucker available in defence and Manny Egbo able to play in midfield and of course Arthur Read is an old stalwart (written with affection) in midfield.
I don’t know whether Kells is available tonight but hope that all has gone well with the birth of his new baby.
Kyreece Lisbie has been loaned to Braintree which seems an excellent move for his development. For the first time in some seasons, we have an abundance of striking talent.
Samson Tovide, Lyle Taylor, Tyreece Simpson, Ken Aboh and Anthony Scully who might finally be available for the Fleetwood game.
DC could bring Hunt into defence and move Egbo into midfield with Read. Some of Egbo’s best play comes when he is running with the ball from midfield to attack.
Then we have Thorn, Gordon, Anderson and the brilliant Edwards in attacking midfield/winger positions.
Jack Payne, a contender for player of the season, is simply outstanding this season.
Weather tonight is likely to be 4 degrees Celsius, mostly cloudy with an 8% chance of rain.
Of course, Kells plays in defence instead of Hunt if available for selection.
A decent crowd can be expected (4,500) after more superb support from the faithful at Whaddon Road. Scoreline, a gritty hard fought 2-0 victory with Tovide and Edwards on the scoresheet.
Some of the stories I hear from former business associates about loyal supporters having boxes for 20+ years at PissPoorman Road, only to be royally shafted in the extreme when then got promoted, some of them I'm told couldn't afford the ridiculous increases so they asked for ordinary season tickets instead of their box, only to be told sorry they're all sold out.
Hi folks I hope you’ll allow me a second. At the start of the season was diagnosed with the big C ( low down rear end ) I had not really publicised the fact. However a few weeks ago my sister drops that she had signed up to swim 10k in March in aid of Cancer Research UK. My sister has not to minor health of issues of her own and by her own admission is certainly not a swimmer. I know the amazing work CRUK do in fact my daughter and son in law are researchers for them. I’m so proud of her and she has reached nearly £1800 so far. Hopefully below is a link to her just giving page if you can spare a pound or to we would be really grateful. If you do donate if you could just say you’re from usual so we know who to thank .
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 MANCHESTER CITY 0 Callum Hudson-Odoi got an 83rd minute winner to earn Forest a crucial victory over their fellow Champions League hopefuls. Nobody got this spot-on, but 5 did have the outcome.
BRENTFORD 0 ASTON VILLA 1 Ollie Watkins settled a hard-fought encounter against his old club as Villa boosted their hopes of a top-four Premier League finish. Well done to Madeira163 for being the only one to have this spot-on, and a further 5 got the outcome.
SWANSEA CITY 1 MIDDLESBROUGH 0 Swansea's unbeaten run under caretaker boss Alan Sheehan continued as Eom Ji-Sung's fine goal dealt a blow to Middlesbrough's Championship play-offs hopes. Only burnsieespana and noah4x4 had this spot-on, and another 3 had the outcome.
STOCKPORT COUNTY 0 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0 Promotion hopefuls Stockport and Charlton shared the spoils in this bore draw, as both teams could only muster a mere one shot on target each. Another game with no 3 pointer, though 3 did get the outcome. 17 predicted a win for Stockport, with 11 going for a 2-1 in what was the weeks most predicted score.
BARNSLEY 0 BLACKPOOL 3 Sonny Carey's brace led Blackpool to an emphatic win. No points for anyone from this game, with 21 predicting a win for Barnsley, and the other 3 going for a draw.
BRISTOL ROVERS 1 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0 Rovers boosted their League One survival hopes when they ended a four-game winless run by narrowly seeing off play-off chasing Huddersfield. Only burnsieespana and noah4x4 had this spot-on, and only Madeira163 got the outcome.
AFC WIMBLEDON 2 NOTTS COUNTY 0 Ex U's loanee Alistair Smith scored one of the goals, as Wimbledon end their four-game winless run with a victory over their League Two promotion rivals, who only had one shot on target. Well done to bwildered for being the only one to get this spot-on, and a further 13 had the outcome.
CHELTENHAM TOWN 0 COLCHESTER UNITED 1 Substitute Harry Anderson's goal was enough to secure a win for Colchester, and keep their League Two play-off hopes alive, as they extended their unbeaten run to 11 games. A magnificent 7 had this spot-on, and another 8 got the outcome.
CHESTERFIELD 2 NEWPORT COUNTY 1 Chesterfield came from behind to win after losing their previous four games. A super 6 got this spot-on, and another 11 had the outcome.
SALFORD CITY 1 CREWE ALEXANDRA 1 Connor O'Riordan's spectacular strike earned a point for Crewe in a pulsating game that produced a total of40 shots between the two teams. Only Jorash63 and Moor_Pinot had this spot-on, and only burnsieespana got the outcome.
Jorash63 told me he had picked some tough to predict fixtures, and that is certainly how they turned out, with a number of surprise results. It was left to League 2 to save the week from being a complete disaster, thanks mainly to the wins for Colchester and Chesterfield, that went a long way to giving us a total of 21 spot-ons for the week. Four members did well to have two 3 pointers, with the best coming from burnsieespana, who had the 1-0 wins for Swansea and Bristol Rovers, and a good five outcomes, to make him the weeks top scorer with a fantastic 11 points. Also getting those wins for Swansea and Bristol Rovers was noah4x4, and with three outcomes he got an excellent 9 points. A decent 7 points for Jorash63, who had the Chesterfield 2-1 and the Salford 1-1, and one outcome. Finally a decent 6 points for concordman who got the wins for Colchester and Chesterfield. Best of those to have one 3 pointer was thrillseeker and oxfcolu, who each had the Colchester 1-0, and four outcomes, to give them both a decent 7 points.
U'sual Champions League Just a reminder for those in this competition. The Round of 16 2nd leg fixtures start next Tuesday 11th March, with the deadline 17.45.
In the Premier The lead has changed again, as mfb_cufc returns to the top after a week away, thanks to having the Colchester 1-0 spot-on. Despite getting the Chesterfield 2-1 spot-on, blueeagle has to settle for the other Charity Shield place. The decent week for thrillseeker helped to move him 3 points nearer to the top two. The rest of the top half remains unchanged. It is the fight to avoid relegation where the real activity takes place, with this being probably the most exciting ever in the Premier, though not for those involved. Two weeks ago burnsieespana was 13 points from safety, and needing something special to avoid the drop. Well, he didn't have to wait long for that special occuring, with two top scoring performances in a row giving him 20 points (9 more than anyone in this division), that moved him up another four places this week to seventh. To equal his highest position this season, last achieved in Week 3. He still has work to do though, as he is only ahead of concordman on the first to post rule, after his decent week moved him up a place to eighth, to give him his highest position this season. And only ahead of ghughes11 on the most 3 pointer rule. All three are only a point ahead of Sector4, who drops into the bottom three for the first time since Week 9. Despite having the Colchester 1-0 spot-on, basher2010 drops another place. The decent week for oxfcolu gives him hope of avoiding the drop.
In Division One Having the Wimbledon 2-0 spot-on kept bwildered top for the seventh week running, but it is only on the most 3 pointer rule from Jorash63, whose decent week closed him right up. The excellent week for noah4x4 moved him up place to third, and to within 3 points of the automatics. Also up a place to fourth is Lewis_1, as he was another to have the Colchester 1-0 spot-on. Another decent week for Moor_Pinot moved him up another place to fifth. Just the one outcome for Tropical_Us means he drops to the final play-off place. His lowest position since Week 12. Four outcomes for durham_exile keeps him contention, as does a solid week for Blue4U2, with the Chesterfield 2-1 spot-on. As with the U's, I'm looking for a late run into the play-offs said wessex_exile. Just like the U's a decent week for him, that included having the Chesterfield 2-1 spot-on, has improved his chances of that happening.
THE TABLES (226 out of 280 played) (Tie-breaker: Most 3 pointers, and then the first to post)
Week 32 Fixtures
EVERTON v WEST HAM UNITED SOUTHAMPTON v WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS OXFORD UNITED v WATFORD WEST BROMWICH ALBION v HULL CITY WYCOMBE WANDERERS v WREXHAM ACCRINGTON STANLEY v GILLINGHAM
Hi folks I hope you’ll allow me a second. At the start of the season was diagnosed with the big C ( low down rear end ) I had not really publicised the fact. However a few weeks ago my sister drops that she had signed up to swim 10k in March in aid of Cancer Research UK. My sister has not to minor health of issues of her own and by her own admission is certainly not a swimmer. I know the amazing work CRUK do in fact my daughter and son in law are researchers for them. I’m so proud of her and she has reached nearly £1800 so far. Hopefully below is a link to her just giving page if you can spare a pound or to we would be really grateful. If you do donate if you could just say you’re from usual so we know who to thank . https://www.facebook.com/share/1Y5nN2rYNu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Anyone else noticed how slow the Usual website is lately. It took me five minutes to load this morning and another couple of minutes to post this message. Is it just me as all other web sites visited today are ultra fast... except The Usual!
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:
Plenty of outcomes from the 8 games, but 3 pointers not so easy to come by, with only 6 in total.
THE GROUPS (8 out of 16 played) (Tie-break: Most 3 pointers only)
Just like at this stage last year, Daniel has got off to a great start by having the wins for Real Madrid and Inter Milan spot-on, and another four outcomes, to put him in a strong position for the Quarter-finals. Some good outcomes for blueeagle and bwildered, with the former holding a slight advantage for the other qualifying spot.
Although he modestly claims to be clueless about Europe, noah4x4 shows no signs of it, as gets the Bayern 3-0 spot-on, and six outcomes - with only the Dortmund result stopping him having a full house - to make him favourite for a Quarter-final place. Six good outcomes for unitedwhites in the other qualifying spot, means Jorash63 is needing to improve on his three outcomes in the final 8 fixtures, to have a chance.
mfb_cufc was another to miss out on a full house by not getting the Dortmund result, as his seven outcomes puts him in the lead at the halfway stage. But things are close in this group as basher2010 has the Real Madrid 2-1 spot-on, to claim second, and thrillseeker got the Barcelona 1-0 spot-on, to remain in contention. Those 3 pointers could prove to be vital if it comes to a tie-breaker in this group.
After missing the first fixture, going 2-1 all other games, has given Sector4 the advantage in this group. Three outcomes was enough for Lewis_1 to claim second, as unfortunately Tropical_Us failed to post.
Round Of 16 2nd leg fixtures No more than four predictions the same as fellow group members, and all fixtures to be predicted at the same time please.
All predictions are the result at the end of normal time, extra-time and/or penalties will not count. If any members are level on points after the 16 fixtures, the tie-break rule will apply. As always in this competition, there will be no first-to-post tie-break deciders, only most spot-ons. If they are still level, then a further tie-break will apply by predicting the attendance at the Colchester v Fleetwood fixture on Saturday 15th March.
11/03/2025 BARCELONA v BENFICA (17.45) 11/03/2025 BAYER LEVERKUSEN v BAYERN MUNICH (20.00) 11/03/2025 INTER MILAN v FEYENOORD (20.00) 11/03/2025 LIVERPOOL v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (20.00) 12/03/2025 LILLE v BORUSSIA DORTMUND (19.45) 12/03/2025 ARSENAL v PSV EINDHOVEN (20.00) 12/03/2025 ASTON VILLA v CLUB BRUGGE (20.00) 12/03/2025 ATLETICO MADRID v REAL MADRID (20.00)
LUTON TOWN 1 PORTSMOUTH 0 Luton climbed off the bottom of the Championship as Jordan Clark's first-half strike earned them a victory that ended a 12-game winless run, and gave the manager his first win in his ninth game in charge. 3 got this spot-on, and one more had the outcome. 9 predicted this game to end 1-1, in what was equally the weeks most predicted score.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS 1 SHEFFIELD UNITED 2 United showed there was no lasting hangover from Monday's defeat at the hands of Championship pacesetters Leeds, as goals from Ben Brereton Diaz and Tyrese Campbell got them this win. A massive 9 had this spot-on, in what was the weeks other most predicted score, and a further 10 got the outcome.
BRISTOL ROVERS 2 ROTHERHAM UNITED 3 Sam Nombe scored a 92nd minute winner to secure Rotherham victory in this 5-goal thriller. Nobody got this spot-on, but 5 did have the outcome.
CRAWLEY TOWN 0 CAMBRIDGE UNITED 2 Goals from Elias Kachunga and Paul Digby lifted Cambridge off the bottom of the table, as both sides finished with 10 men. Nobody had this spot-on, and only Daniel and ghughes11 got the outcome.
CHELTENHAM TOWN 1 GRIMSBY TOWN 1 Grimsby went into the game after four wins from four in February, but needed an equaliser from Harvey Rodgers to get them a point. A magnificent 7 got this spot-on, and nobody had the outcome.
HARROGATE TOWN 2 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1 Harrogate pulled 10 points clear of the League Two relegation zone courtesy of a win over their fellow strugglers. 4 had this spot-on, and another 12 got the outcome.
Probably the toughest 6 game week fixtures of the season so far, and they accordingly produced a mixed bag of results. Though the 2-1 win for Sheff. Utd. and the Cheltenham 1-1 helped to make it one of the best 6 game weeks for 3 pointers this season, with 23 in total. A tough week to predict, but no problem for burnsieespana, as he was the only one to get three 3 pointers, the wins for Luton and Harrogate and the Cheltenham 1-1, to make him the weeks top scorer with a brilliant 9 points. There were five members who did well to have two 3 pointers, with the best coming from blueeagle, who had the 2-1 wins for Sheff. Utd. and Harrogate, unitedwhites, who got the Sheff. Utd 2-1 and the Cheltenham 1-1, and Moor_Pinot, who had the wins for Luton and Sheff. Utd. They each also got one outcome, to give them all a decent 7 points. The others were bwildered, who had the wins for Sheff. Utd. and Harrogate, and Blue4U2, who got the wins for Luton and Sheff. Utd., to give them both a decent 6 points. Best of those to have one 3 pointer was Jorash63, who got the Cheltenham 1-1, and three outcomes, to give him a decent 6 points. The seasons 216 games have finished with 91 (42.13%) home wins, 68 (31.48%) away wins, and 57 (26.39%) draws. The top result remains the 1-1 with 33. After a slow start to the season the 1-0 is now second with 23, three ahead of the 2-0 and the 2-1. Best result for an away win is surprisingly the 0-2 with 17, one ahead of the 0-1, and two ahead of the 1-2.
U'sual Champions League Just a reminder for those who have yet to post their predictions, this competition starts on Tuesday 4th March, with a deadline 17.45.
In the Premier There is a new leader, as the decent week for blueeagle takes him back to the top after eight weeks away. But it is only on the most 3 pointer rule from mfb_cufc, who has to settle for the other Charity Shield spot. The rest of the top half remains unchanged. In the bottom half Sector4 moves up a place on the most 3 pointer rule from ghughes11. Only the Sheff. Utd. outcome for concordman, but he improves his chaces of avoiding the drop, as basher2010 fires a blank. Just when things were starting to look desperate for burnsieespana, his brillint top scoring performance has suddenly given him every chance of getting out of the bottom three, as he moves up a place, and leaves oxfcolu at the bottom for the first time this season.
In Division One Decent weeks for the top two, means bwildered maintains his 4 point lead over Jorash63, who in turn has a 5 point cushion over Tropical_Us, who moved up a place to third, but only on the most 3 pointer rule from noah4x4. Two outcomes were enough for Lewis_1 to remain fifth. Another decent week for Moor_Pinot moved him up a place into the final play-off spot, and his highest position since Week 1, but only on the most 3 pointer rule from durham_exile. The rest of the league remains unchanged, but the decent week for Blue4U2 moved him to within 2 points of the play-offs, and useful points for wessex_exile and BFG keeps them in contention.
THE TABLES (216 out of 280 played) (Tie-breaker: Most 3 pointers, and then the first to post)
Week 31 Fixtures 10 games picked by this weeks guest Jorash63. Don't forget it is an early start with the deadline 12.30.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MANCHESTER CITY (12.30) BRENTFORD v ASTON VILLA (17.30) SWANSEA CITY v MIDDLESBROUGH STOCKPORT COUNTY v CHARLTON ATHLETIC (12.30) BARNSLEY v BLACKPOOL BRISTOL ROVERS v HUDDERSFIELD TOWN AFC WIMBLEDON v NOTTS COUNTY (12.30) CHELTENHAM TOWN v COLCHESTER UNITED CHESTERFIELD v NEWPORT COUNTY SALFORD CITY v CREWE ALEXANDRA
This Saturday sees the confident Super U’s travel to Stadium MK to do battle with Scott Lindsey’s MK Dons.
They have 2 wins from their last 15 games whilst we are unbeaten for 8 games.
League placings - top Walsall 33 67 Bradford 33 60 Doncaster Rovers 33 58 Wimbledon 32 57 Notts Co 32 57 PV 31 55 Crewe 33 52 Grimsby 32 51 Salford 32 48 Bromley 33 45 Cheltenham 32 45 Fleetwood 33 44 COL U 32 43 Chesterfield 31 42
MK Dons 32 39
Now as I mentioned the other week we are well and truly safe from Relegation after some inspired performances and results but if we are serious about a top seven finish then we must start to turn draws into victories.
DC can now afford to be adventurous with his team selections.
MK Dons with Alex Gilbey in their ranks are desperate for a victory and Lindsey has piled the pressure on them by insisting on a win against Colchester on Saturday.
This is just the game that we need after some tough fixtures against the promotion hopefuls. We will have more than 1,000 of the faithful present on Saturday afternoon and if we are to “put on a show” as the faithful often sing then three points at Stadium MK is a must and certainly possible.
Three points are the only game in town essentially if we are to close the gap. I think that Crewe are vulnerable in seventh place and I think we can not only close the gap but also take over that position. 14 games to play and 29 more points required to reach the magical 72 mark which will secure seventh position.
MK Dons Away Chesterfield Home Cheltenham Away PV Home Fleetwood Home Bradford Away Grimsby Home Gillingham Away Notts Co Home Newport Away Crewe Home Doncaster Away Salford Away Barrow Home
Now we may need to win 9 of these 14 games but it is possible. Doncaster Rovers almost pulled off the impossible last year and our task is not as great.
DC is safe from relegation so let’s see some expansive football and plenty of opportunity to take the game to the opposition.
Tomorrow we have to play without Owura Edwards and possibly Teddy Bishop but we have JK Gordon and Arthur Read waiting in the wings together with arguably the best striker in Samson Tovide who wants to play and score more goals.
Lyle Taylor has had a couple of lean weeks in front of goal and is due a goal or two.
We have KVY back in the fold and looking imperious coming off the bench. Antony Scully is maybe a fortnight away from first team action and then youngsters Kyreece Lisbie and ken Aboh are primed and ready to go.
Tyreece Simpson is also available so there is no shortage of strikers to score some vital goals.
So, let’s go for the following starting XI tomorrow:
With 14 games to play and safety already assured I want to see bold, adventurous football. No fear, a degree of respect yes but any team is beatable in this league. The players and DC are talking about setting targets and there is only one that matters, the seventh place in the league. Until it is mathematically impossible we must believe that we can achieve it and the team is good enough to secure those points.
Weather in Milton Keynes on St David’s Day will be 9 degrees Celsius, sunny, no rain and no breeze, in fact ideal for football.
With more than 1,000 of the faithful there will be no shortage of support for the U’s. Safe journey to those travelling and enjoy the game and more importantly the three points. 14 cup finals, 29 points required. Come on the U’s.
Score prediction MK Dons 1 Colchester United 3 (Tovide, Taylor and Payne).
Roar them to victory in darkest Buckinghamshire. Up the U’s
Over 1,000 tickets already sold, and there's still two days to go, and presumably pay on the day for anyone who decides last minute to travel. That must be our largest away travelling this season, or am I forgetting anything? Much as I hate giving that scummy bunch any of my hard-earned, I'll be there.
We love our former U's, well most of them anyway, so thought I'd start a thread where we can keep up with them.
Thought I'd kick things off with a happier moment for Matt Jay in Essex as he scored a long ranger against Chelmsford at the weekend. It wasn't a joyous return though as Torquay shipped two late goals to lose 3-2 after leading 2-0.
Jay also got the equaliser away at Weston-super-Mare last night. Hopefully he's starting to enjoy his football again.
Just read the latest post on there relating to the signing of Kaffour.
There are several spelling errors that include that of a country name.
I am sure l make spelling and grammatical errors of my own on here but l do know how to spell the name of a country that is featured in the daily news.
Let's hope the club read this and correct the piece.
Qualifiers The current holder blueeagle qualifies automatically. The other 11 are the top points scorers over the two divisions after Week 22. They are:- mfb_cufc, Daniel, thrillseeker, bwildered, basher2010, noah4x4, Tropical_Us, Jorash63, Lewis_1, unitedwhites and Sector4.
Round of 16 This will be four groups, with three members in each, and after predicting all 16 fixtures, the top two qualify for the Quarter-finals. Groups have traditionally been decided by using a random number generator, and I have gone along with that, by repeating the one used last year. The rankings in brackets after holder blueeagle is based on points tally at the time of qualification.
All predictions are the result at the end of normal time, extra-time and/or penalties will not count. If any members are level on points after the 16 fixtures, the tie-break rule will apply. There will be no first-to-post tie-break deciders, only most spot-ons. If they are still level, then a further tie-break will apply by predicting the attendance at the Colchester v Fleetwood game on Saturday 15th March.
Quarter-finals To be played on 8/9 & 15/16 April. The Group qualifiers will then form two more Groups of 4, and predict all of the Quarter-final matches. Groups will be comprised as follows: Group A Winner A, Runner-Up B, Winner C, Runner-up D Group B Runner-up A Winner B, Runner-up C, Winner D. Top two from each group qualify for the Semi-finals. As in the Ro16 there will be no first-to-post tie-break deciders, only most spot-ons. A further tie-break, if required, to be decided.
Semi-finals To be played on 29/30 April & 6/7 May. These will be the Winner A v Runner-up B, and Winner B v Runner-up A. Prerdicting the Semi-final matches, plus one goalscorer from each of those games.
Final To be played on Saturday 31 May. The finalist will predict the Champions League Final, including predicting different aspects of the game, not just the score.
Tie-break rules for the Semi-final and Final will be announced in due course.
Round of 16 1st leg Fixtures No more than four predictions the same as fellow group members, and all fixtures to be predicted at the same time please.
04/03/2025 CLUB BRUGGE v ASTON VILLA (17.45) 04/03/2025 BORUSSIA DORTMUND v LILLE (20.00) 04/03/2025 PSV EINDHOVEN v ARSENAL (20.00) 04/03/2025 REAL MADRID v ATLETICO MADRID (20.00) 05/03/2025 FEYENOORD v INTER MILAN (17.45) 05/03/2025 BAYERN MUNICH v BAYER LEVERKUSEN (20.00) 05/03/2025 BENFICA v BARCELONA (20.00) 05/03/2025 PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN v LIVERPOOL (20.00)
Good luck everybody.
It is a quick turn around with the 2nd legs the following week. I hope to have details of those fixtures on Thursday 6th March.
ARSENAL 0 WEST HAM UNITED 1 Jarrod Bowen got the winner as West Ham ended a four-match winless run against 10-man Arsenal. No points for anyone from this game, as everynoe predicted a win for Arsenal.
IPSWICH TOWN 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4 Brennan Johnson scored twice as Spurs continued their upturn in form with this victory. Nobody had this spot-on, but 18 did get the outcome.
COVENTRY CITY 2 PRESTON NORTH END 1 Coventry ended their 22-match winless run against bogey team Preston, with first-half headers from Jack Rudoni and Bobby Thomas. A ginormous 15 got this spot-on, in what was the weeks most predicted score, and a further 6 had the outcome.
BOLTON WANDERERS 2 LEYTON ORIENT 1 Aaron Morley netted a second-half penalty winner as Bolton came from behind to beat their fellow play-off chasers, who lost for only the second time in 16 games. A massive 9 had this spot-on, and another 6 got the outcome.
LINCOLN CITY 0 BURTON ALBION 1 Charlie Webster scored his second goal in as many games as he boosted Burton's survival hopes with a dramatic 92nd minute winner, with their only shot on target. No points for anyone from this game, as 23 predicted a win for Lincoln.
SWINDON TOWN 1 CHESTERFIELD 0 Kabongo Tshimanga scored a second-half penalty winner against his former side, as Swindon returned to winning ways. Nobody had this spot-on, though 9 did get the outcome.
Another week where "good things" didn't turn out to be that good, with the 1-0 defeats for Arsenal and Lincoln failing to produce a point from their games, and with four games overall not having a 3 pointer, it was left to the 2-1 wins for Coventry and Bolton to save the week. It was saved in a big way as those wins achieved an incredible 24 spot-ons between them. There were six members who had those two 3 pointers, with the best coming from blueeagle, who also got the Spurs and Swindon outcomes, to make him the weeks top scorer with an excellent 8 points. The others were RSCOSWORTH, ghughes11, concordman and Moor_Pinot, who each also had one outcome, to give them all a very decent 7 points. Finally burnsieespana, who got a decent 6 points. Best of those to have one outcome was mfb_cufc, who got the Bolton 2-1 and three outcomes to give him a useful 6 points.
U'sual Champions League Details for the Round Of 16 will be on the separate U'sual Champions League thread tomorrow (Sunday).
In the Premier The useful 6 points for mfb_cufc keeps him top for the eighth week running, but the top scoring performance from blueeagle has cut his lead by 2 points. A solid week for thrillseeker, that included having the Coventry 2-1 spot-on, keeps him third. A second disappointing week in a row for unitedwhites, has now made it difficult for him to break into the top two, but he remains fourth. A solid week for Daniel, who also had the Coventry 2-1 spot-on, keeps him fifth. The decent week for RSCOSWORTH enables him to continue leading the group of seven threatened by relegation. It is all change underneath him, as the decent week for ghughes11 moved him up two places to seventh. His highest position since Week 8. Despite getting the Coventry 2-1 spot-on, Sector4 drops a place to eighth. His lowest position since Week 10. The decent week for concordman moves him up a place, and out of the bottom three again. This means having the Coventry 2-1 spot-on was not enough to stop basher2010 dropping into the relegation zone for the first time this season. A good four outcomes for oxfcolu, and a decent week for burnsieespana, still leaves them both with a lot to do in avoiding the drop.
In Division One Just the Spurs outcome for bwildered, as he takes his run at the top to five weeks. But his lead was cut in half by Jorash63, whose solid week included getting the Bolton 2-1 spot-on. Having the Coventry 2-1 spot-on keeps noah4x4 just a point further back in third. A solid week also for Tropical_Us, after he had the Bolton 2-1 spot-on, moved him up a place to fourth. Despite getting the Coventry 2-1 spot-on, Lewis_1 drops a place to fifth. Another to have the Coventry 2-1 spot-on was durham_exile, and he remains in the final play-off place. The decent week for Moor_Pinot moves him up three places to seventh, and within four points of the play-offs. Just a point further back, and only separated by the tie-break rules, are Blue4U2, wessex-exile and BFG, in what continues to be a very competitive league.
THE TABLES (210 out of 280 played) (Tie-breaker: Most 3 pointers, and then the first to post)
Week 30 Fixtures
LUTON TOWN v PORTSMOUTH QUEENS PARK RANGERS v SHEFFIELD UNITED BRISTOL ROVERS v ROTHERHAM UNITED CRAWLEY TOWN v CAMBRIDGE UNITED CHELTENHAM TOWN v GRIMSBY TOWN HARROGATE TOWN v ACCRINGTON STANLEY
Colchester weather on Saturday will be 12 degrees Celsius, breezy and 77% precipitation. None of which is good news for the surface of the pitch. At home it will be dry and 10 degrees but breezy.
15 games to play and we are probably looking at 30 more points to secure a top seven position. 10 more victories or equivalent will garner 72 points which should be enough.
Wimbledon H MK Dons A Chesterfield H Cheltenham A PV H Fleetwood H Bradford A Grimsby H Gillingham A Notts Co H Newport A Crewe H Doncaster A Salford A Barrow H
Johnny Jackson brings his Dons to the JCS having already lost in the Vertu Motors trophy after defeating us 4-2 on the opening game of the season.
It will be like an old boys reunion with Owen Goodman, Riley Harbottle, John Joe O’Toole and Alastair Smith in the Wimbledon ranks. They will also have about 1200 supporters to swell a likely 6,000 crowd.
Two tough games on the road elicited two draws but we should have had more at both Carlisle and at Notts County.
DC needs to show more adventure in his line ups. I agree with the first 7 players. Macey, Egbo, Kells, Flanagan, Iandolo and McDonnell and Bishop.
I also agree with Payne and Edwards but whilst DC loves Anderson I would like to see Thorn or Gordon. In fairness Thorn is probably injured and Samson Tovide is still two weeks away from a welcome return.
Then we have the thorny issue (no pun intended) of Simpson and Taylor. Simpson started against Notts County and should have scored twice in the first half but fluffed his lines he then scored the equaliser by being in the right place at the right time. He certainly worked hard and just when I thought DC would keep him on when Taylor arrived he was withdrawn.
Whether DC likes it or not when Samson is fit he must play two up top. Whether that is Taylor and Tovide or Simpson and Tovide or Taylor remains to be seen.
Of course, we may have Anthony Scully available and Kyreece Lisbie or Ken Aboh all of whom should be considered.
So, DC will likely start with:
Macey
Egbo Kells Flanagan Iandolo
McDonnell Bishop
Anderson Payne Edwards
Simpson
Subs; Smith, KVY, Aboh, Read, Gordon, Tucker, Taylor
We owe Wimbledon after the opening day and I expect to see a 3-1 home victory with Taylor on the scoresheet and possibly Simpson and Jack Payne (long overdue free kick).
Enjoy the game. A decent crowd and three more home points.
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