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Thread | Super U's to outfox the Cumbrians at Brunton Park today
at 10:18 15 Feb 2025
Today sees the rejuvenated Super U’s heading north to Carlisle for another vital League Two game.
After last week’s hard won, but deservedly so game against Walsall DC’s charges do battle with Mark Hughes for his first home game in charge of the Cumbrians. Sparky has overseen two narrow away defeats to Grimsby and Newport County over the past few days and will now know the extent of his task to keep them in the league (without Jimmy Glass).
DC was at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night and will have seen a fairly even contest decided by a single goal in favour of the Exiles. Hughes has already marked his home matches for salvation for the Cumbrians but has not marked today’s fixture as a must win. However, he will be looking to stamp his authority on the club and start to pick up home points.
By contrast it is true to say that Colchester have now banished any thoughts of relegation battles this season with 40 points already on the board and are now looking upwards instead to one of the top seven play-off positions.
Walsall 30 60
Notts Co 30 53
Bradford 30 53
Wimbledon 29 52
Doncaster 30 52
PV 30 52
Salford 30 48
Crewe 31 48
Grimsby 30 45
Chesterfield 29 42
COL U 29 40
I watched the PV v Notts Co clash on Sky the other evening and a dour game it was decided in the 85th minute. The Magpies deserved a point but poor finishing ultimately cost them. We of course play both teams very soon.
The stability and momentum within our club at the moment is firmly down to the Cowleys who have stuck to their principles and have overcome much of the negativity that pervaded the club (and many of the supporters).
17 cup finals remain to secure 34 points which will surely lead to a top seven position. Now no complacency can exist, this is a challenging set of fixtures, but it is more than possible.
HOME
Wimbledon
Chesterfield
PV
Fleetwood
Grimsby
Notts Co
Crewe
Barrow
AWAY
Carlisle
Notts Co
MK Dons
Cheltenham
Bradford
Gillingham
Newport
Doncaster
Salford
At present DC has the luxury of a settled starting XI. We all have our own ideas about who should start but ultimately it is DC who determines not only the starting XI but also the skill of selecting the substitutes which can turn a game in our favour.
I would imagine that DC will start at Brunton Park as follows:
Macey
Egbo Kells Flanagan Iandolo
McDonnell Bishop
Anderson Payne Edwards
Taylor
Subs:
Smith, KVY, Tucker, Read, Aboh, Gordon, Thorn
Matt Macey is turning into one of our most successful goalkeepers with records of clean sheets mounting weekly. Kells tackle against Walsall reminded me of Pat (Rio) Baldwin in his heyday. McDonell and Bishop are surely on song in the centre of midfield whilst Payne is the puppeteer controlling the set plays and defence splitting passes.
Owura Edwards is becoming the player that many of us saw in glimpses first time round whilst Lyle Taylor, experienced, articulate and a leader on and off the field is the centre forward that I wish we had had about 5 or 6 years ago. He can possibly be the first player since JC to net 20 goals for the U’s in a single season.
But for the run in we need Samson Tovide back and rekindling the partnership with LT.DC will also have Simpson, Lisbie, Aboh, Gordon and Thorn to choose from when fresh legs are required in those forthcoming vital games.
Carlisle weather today will be dry, 5 degrees Celsius with a gentle breeze. Contrast that with our weather at home which is a measly 1 degree Celsius and predominantly dry after a misty start.
For the travelling faithful both the M62 and A66 trans Pennine routes are open. Safe journey to all. One of my shorter journeys today just 55 miles. I have also persuaded my eldest son and my granddaughter to come to the game.
Over the years I have been to Carlisle on many occasions since about1981. Seasoned Col U faithful supporters will remember the 2009 2-0 win when Lambert was at the helm and we controlled the game from start to finish. Equally the 2013 must win last game of the season when we also triumphed 2-0 to seal our league status. Not that it has always been plain sailing. A 4-0 humbling in 2018 just before Christmas was difficult to take and the journey home was via the A69 and A1 after the snow gates were closed on the A66.
Today is all about remaining focussed and concentrating on securing the three points. I believe that we can win 2-0 and Lyle Taylor and Owura Edwards to score the goals.
Safe journey to the faithful.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
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Reply | Happy League 2024/25 Week 28 (of 38) - Deadline Saturday 15th February 12.30
at 08:53 15 Feb 2025
ASTON VILLA 2 v 0 IPSWICH TOWN
OXFORD UNITED 0 v 1 PORTSMOUTH (12.30)
STOKE CITY 1 v 1 SWANSEA CITY
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2 v 3 WREXHAM (12.30)
BARNSLEY 2 v 2 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
STEVENAGE 2 v 1 PETERBOROUGH UNITED
WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 v 1 STOCKPORT COUNTY
AFC WIMBLEDON 2 v 1 SALFORD CITY (12.30)
CARLISLE UNITED 0 v 2 COLCHESTER UNITED
TRANMERE ROVERS 1 v 2 MILTON KEYNES DONS
Up the U's |
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Reply | Two of our promotion rivals play tonight
at 21:51 13 Feb 2025
97 minutes that I will never get back.
Port Vale look as though they have won but frankly a lack of quality from both teams in the final third.
No creativity, poor football.
Up the U's |
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Reply | Tom Hopper…
at 12:21 13 Feb 2025
Frankly THEY don't deserve either player.
But I agree with you both are good honest professional footballers and it is good to see them starting so well
It also suggests that although there are about 10 decent teams in that league mostly ex EFL there is also some dross.
Now which category do the Roots Hall mob fit into. |
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Reply | Two of our promotion rivals play tonight
at 12:15 13 Feb 2025
Interesting about the Podcasts Wessex
I haven't seen those and of course it's always nice to be under the radar.
A couple more victories and others will begin to believe.
We must keep Teddy Bishop and Owura Edwards fit and of course our Talisman Lyle Taylor.
Thinking about Carlisle will stick with a similar starting line up or and whisper it two up top.
Plenty to mull over, over to you DC.
Up the U's [Post edited 13 Feb 12:16]
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Thread | Two of our promotion rivals play tonight
at 09:59 13 Feb 2025
Port Vale v Notts County
Probably a draw would suit us best.
Looking at the table we are definitely in the play off mix.
Up the revitalised U's |
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Reply | Super U's display promotion credentials in hard fought victory today
at 12:49 10 Feb 2025
Still a classic game and a great U's victory at Sincil Bank.
This weekend offers a different challenge. Sparky's first home match in charge of the Cumbrians.
To play the top and bottom of the league in successive games will enable us to ensure that having beaten Warsaw we do not appear complacent against Carlisle who are fighting for their league survival without Jimmy Glass.
It is imperative that we keep the unbeaten run going and secure three more valuable points at Brunton Park.
Plenty to consider this week.
Up the U's |
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Reply | FA Cup
at 19:10 9 Feb 2025
Hi Wessex
I watched much of the game too.
I think Liverpool played too weak a team and frankly underperformed.
Capacity at Home Park now is 18,000.
The new stand was virtually open the last time I saw Colchester there and we lost to a controversial late goal when Plymouth took the throw in about 25 yards further forward than it should have been following a break in play.
Some big teams already out of the FA Cup. |
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Thread | Super U's display promotion credentials in hard fought victory today
at 11:11 8 Feb 2025
The League Two table is beginning to look much healthier for the U’s
Walsall 28 59
Doncaster 30 52
Notts Co 28 50
Wimbledon 27 48
Crewe 29 48
Port Vale 28 48
Bradford 28 47
Salford 29 45
Chesterfield 29 42
Grimsby 29 42
MK Dons 28 38
Cheltenham 28 38
COL U 28 37
Our credentials for a top seven position will be tested today against the league leaders under Matt Sadler who were threatening to run away with the title but recently have been reined in somewhat. The loss of Nathan Lowe who has returned to Stoke City is a big blow for the Saddlers but they have brought in Ellis Harrison and Jamille Matt is likely to be fit today against the U’s.
They will still offer our stiffest challenge however despite their recent
stumbles in the league.
DC also has a dilemma with 6 loanees in a team where we are limited to 5. Our recent transfer day business was very efficient but included predominantly loanees.
Anthony Scully, 25 loan from Pompey (again) – injured still
Michael Forbes, 20 loan from West Ham
Kyreece Lisbie, 21 signed for 2.5 years
Kane Vincent-Young, 28 until end of the season
Ken Aboh, 20 loan from Norwich
Jack Tucker, 25 loan from MK Dons
Tyreece Simpson, 22 loan from Stevenage
Retaining Samson Tovide was a great bit of business. This injury though is keeping him out at a vital time for the team.
Weather today at the JCS will be 8 degrees Celsius light rain and a gentle breeze.
By contrast currently at home in Durham we have 4 degrees Celsius with a gentle breeze and sleet showers.
I don’t envisage a great deal of change in DC’s team selection today.
He is likely to go with:
Macey
Egbo Kells Flanagan Iandolo
McDonnell Bishop
Anderson Payne Edwards
Taylor
Subs:
Smith Tucker Thorn Read Lisbie Simpson Gordon
As this game is the ultimate test it is important that we do not show them any fear. Respect the league leaders yes but take the game to the Saddlers. After all, three points today sends a message to those teams around us that we are chasing a top seven place.
Likely to be a decent crowd with Walsall likely to bring 1000 so perhaps 5,500 at the JCS.
I’m going for a 2-1 victory for the U’s in a tough encounter.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
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Reply | Happy League 2024/25 Week 27 (of 38) - Deadline Saturday 8th February 15.00
at 09:52 8 Feb 2025
NORWICH CITY 2 v 0 DERBY COUNTY
SHEFFIELD UNITED 3 v 1 PORTSMOUTH
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2 v 1 READING
ROTHERHAM UNITED 2 v 0 SHREWSBURY TOWN
BARROW 1 v 0 GILLINGHAM
CREWE ALEXANDRA 2 v 0 NEWPORT COUNTY
FLEETWOOD TOWN 1 v 0 CHELTENHAM TOWN
SALFORD CITY 2 v 1 TRANMERE ROVERS
Up the U's |
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