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Thread | Ravens to have their wings clipped by the Super U's
at 14:19 6 Sep 2024
Before we start thinking about this Saturday’s game against League Two new boys Bromley known as the Ravens there is plenty of news to catch up on.
The first is sad concerning talented Colchester midfield player Milton Oni, who following a tackle against Brentford suffered a rupture to his ACL and a tear to his medial meniscus. He will unfortunately have several months on the sidelines, but we wish him a speedy and complete recovery. Oni looked to show as much promise as Mainoo at Manchester United (he really did) and his injury comes at the worst possible time for him and our team. Get well soon.
Secondly the game last weekend at the Wham Stadium against Accrington Stanley. I travelled with my eldest son arriving in good time to see the welcome sight of Lyle Taylor amongst the matchday squad. Weather was warm and sunny and the 262 faithful in a crowd of 1956 were in great voice.
Having watched three games on Sky Sports+ this season, this was my first live game and the first time to see the players in person.
Now the pies at Accrington are probably the best in the league with good quality filling and moist pastry. I had a meat and potato pie and David a chicken balti.
Lyle Taylor looked fit and well and the players were enjoying the sunshine.
DC lined his team up as follows:
Macey
Hunt Flanagan Iandolo
Egbo Payne Bishop Woodyard
Gordon Tovide Hopper
Subs:
Smith Anderson Read Edwards Goodliffe Taylor Donnelly
Now the game is best described as a game of two very bad halves. First half we had fallen back to our old ways with passes either sideways or back and limited forward forays.
Matt Macey’s distribution was poor and he found touch more often than a Colchester player. Rob Hunt was so poor, he looked nervous and reluctant to make a forward pass or to take more than a couple of touches.
Ellis Iandolo was also devoid of ideas and had his worst game in a Colchester shirt that I have seen. I felt sorry for Manny Egbo isolated on the right wing and receiving little in the way of passes. Alex Woodyard was busy in midfield and Jack Payne tried to get the U’s moving forward. Teddy Bishop looked slow and laboured in the centre of the park.
John Kymani Gordon was always taking too long to get the ball under control and had no decent end product. Samson Tovide (who was given stick by the home support behind their goal all game) failed to get into the game and received little in the way of forward passes whilst Tom Hopper was well Tom Hopper.
Accrington took the lead through Whalley on 25 minutes and we laboured until Egbo was eventually given the ball, he drove forward purposefully leaving defenders in his wake before unleashing a shot which the keeper saved.
Half time in the sunshine and Hopper was taken off and Lyle Taylor made his first league appearance for the U’s. At 34 he looks very fit and I thought his work rate was first class. He looked the part going forward winning headers and prepared to challenge and track back.
More changes were needed and DC who was fuming on the touchline brought on Read for the industrious Woodyard on 55 minutes and the lively Edwards for the ineffectual Gordon also on 55 minutes.
Immediately we had more attacking intent and their full back was scared stiff of Edwards who had the beating of him every time. Arthur Read owned the midfield and sprayed passes right and left.
As the half dragged on DC brought on Harry Anderson for the truly awful Hunt on 65 minutes.
The final change was to replace Bishop with Ben Goodliffe on 75 minutes. Despite our new confidence we were still not creating enough in the final third.
Then on 85 minutes Read broke into the box and shot, the keeper parried it and it went to the right of the goal as we were looking. Goodliffe fired past the keeper powerfully from a really acute angle.
Now we looked like the team who would go on to win the game. However, whilst just about to defend a corner there was a disturbance behind the Colchester goal where the hardcore Accrington supporters were.
From our viewpoint it was difficult to determine exactly what had happened but Tovide was clearly aggrieved and ran to the Colchester bench with the referee in hot pursuit. No announcement was made over the Accrington tannoy but the chant from their supporters was “You fat bast**d” clearly aimed at Samson.
It was suggested however that he had been the subject of some racist chanting from the Accrington supporters. The delay was for some minutes and eventually Samson was persuaded to return to the defence with great support from the faithful.
We then defended two corners and Whalley missed two chances to win the game right at the death. The final whistle went on 99 minutes and we had drawn the game 1-1.
The players and DC and NC came over the to the faithful whilst Arthur Read went quietly off on his own.
Further signings have been made by the club recently with striker Anthony Scully (25) arriving from Pompey on a season long loan and Jamie McDonnell (20) and Joel Thompson (19) both from Nottingham Forest on a season long loan and short-term loan respectively.
So that brings us to Andy Woodman’s Bromley team arriving in North Essex this weekend.
I am clearer as to the best starting XI having watched the game at the Wham stadium.
DC needs to go with the following:
Macey
Flanagan Goodliffe Iandolo
Egbo Payne Read Woodyard
Edwards Tovide Taylor
Subs:
Smith Anderson Bishop Gordon Terry Donnelly Hopper
Injuries affecting Kells and the unfortunate Oni and the likelihood that both McDonnell and Thompson will play some part later in the season will give further options.
Weather tomorrow in Colchester will be 22 degrees Celsius and sunny.
Bromley will have Omar Sowunmi amongst their number. They started the season reasonably well but I am confident that the U’s will see them off tomorrow and I am going for a 3-0 victory with Taylor notching his first league goal and Goodliffe and Tovide also on the scoresheet.
Attendance about 4,300.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
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Thread | Accrington Stanley, who are they - exactly
at 23:13 30 Aug 2024
If a week is a long time in politics it’s an eternity in football. Last Saturday we dominated the game against Harrogate only to lose 1-0 to a sucker punch after a mix up at the back.
On Wednesday night we should have drawn the game and taken our illustrious opponents the Bees to a penalty shoot-out. Two actions determined the result. First the referee failed to award a free kick in the box and Lewis-Potter scored the simplest goal he will ever score. Now you could argue that it wasn’t a foul and that Colchester should have played to the whistle.
Then after a brilliant run from Egbo he was fouled in the box and the reliable Payne chose that moment to take the worst penalty he will ever attempt to convert. Those who decided no foul had been committed would probably say that the referee evened things up for his error in the first half. So instead of a draw and a penalty shootout we lost another game 1-0.
This Saturday DC takes his charges to the Wham Stadium to do battle against Accrington Stanley. Last season someone called Taylor scored a magnificent solo goal after we had been battered for most of the game but the home team couldn’t convert their many chances.
Will our new Taylor perhaps get some minutes and score tomorrow. I am beginning to think that he is no longer a Colchester player and his transfer was all a figment of our imagination. We were told a calf injury had kept him out and when DC was interviewed this week about the game and possible deadline day transfers the silence concerning Taylor was deafening.
When or if he does get some minutes I would imagine he will be covered in cotton wool and will only be allowed the statutory amount of minutes that Macca Bonne was allowed (8).
The Monserrat striker is a player who has years of experience, if fit let us long suffering supporters see him at the Wham Stadium tomorrow if only for a little while.
DC has a decision to make about his team. I am unsure as to whether he has decided on either three or four at the back and then whether we play four or five across the midfield and then either two or three up front.
Let us look at the options.
Goalkeeper is easy, Macey but then what about a three or four ahead of him.
Donnelly almost caught Brentford cold on Wednesday with his delicious long throws. They should have led to at least one goal with a header from Ihionvien (his last action in a U’s shirt unfortunately) and a close range shot from Hopper.
Do Hunt and Iandolo play as conventional full backs or wing backs. Then we have Donnelly, Flanagan, Goodliffe, Kells and Egbo with either three or four of them employed as either a three or a flat back four.
Midfield – Payne, Read, Woodyard and Bishop (we have debated the problem with accommodation all four in the same team). Wingers are either Edwards, Anderson or Gordon.
Then strikers Hopper, Tovide and Taylor (the scarlet pimpernel).
So, who will DC start at the Wham stadium:
I think either 4,1,3,2
Macey
Hunt Goodliffe Flanagan Iandolo
Read
Payne Bishop Woodyard
Tovide Hopper
Subs: Smith, Anderson Edwards Gordon Egbo Terry Kells
OR
3,5,2
Macey
Goodliffe Flanagan Donnelly
Anderson Payne Bishop Woodyard Edwards
Tovide Hopper
Subs: Smith, Hunt Iandolo Gordon Egbo Read Kells
OR
3,4,3
Macey
Goodliffe Flanagan Donnelly
Payne Read Bishop Woodyard
Anderson Tovide Edwards
Subs: Smith, Hunt, Iandolo, Gordon, Egbo, Terry, Hopper
However, I think DC will line up as follows:
Macey
Egbo Goodliffe Flanagan Donnelly Iandolo
Payne Bishop Woodyard
Hopper Tovide
Subs:
Smith Anderson Edwards Gordon Hunt Read Kells
Sadly, it seems that Milton Oni (MOTM) is injured and of course we don’t know about Lyle Taylor.
I hope that this makes DC’s selection problem understandable. DC is possibly still unsure about his best XI.
Stop Press: Bradley Ihionvien has departed for Peterborough. He could have done so much better. They are a poor option for him.
Meanwhile Jamie McDonnell (Midfield) has joined from Nottingham Forest on loan.
Bradleys departure makes the signing of another striker mission critical.
Weather tomorrow at Accrington 19 degrees Celsius and sunny.
Scoreline 2-0 to the Super U’s
Safe journey to the travelling faithful.
Up the U’s
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Thread | Bees to be stung by the Super U's at the JCS in the Carabao Cup
at 18:57 27 Aug 2024
After the disappointment of an undeserved defeat to Harrogate (again) at the weekend, the Super U’s have a free hit on Wednesday night at home to Brentford in Round Two of the Carabao Cup.
We played Brentford at this same stage of the Cup on 23 August 2022 and were unfortunate to lose 2-0 in front of 5,516 including yours truly. I hoped for a last-minute equaliser and penalties but sadly it wasn’t to be.
As part of my preview, I have included some of my match report from that evening game.
The only Colchester survivor from that evening is Samson Tovide (who was on the bench that evening).
Thomas Frank played the following team at Anfield on Sunday: 4,4,2
Flekken
Collins Pinnock Ajer Roerslev
Janelt Norgaard Jensen Lewis-Potter
Mbemo Wissa
Subs:
Onyeka Carvalho Damsgaard Schade Valdimarsson Van den Berg Mee Yarmoliuk Trevitt
Brentford have seven players in their squad from that game two years ago. Eight including Toney who played two years ago for the last 20 minutes but will not play on Wednesday pending a big money move perhaps to Chelsea. However, Wissa is also wanted by Nottingham Forest and have had a £15m bid rejected. Wissa may not play on Wednesday as a result. Both players will be big misses for Brentford.
Frank has confirmed that Carvalho, Van de Berg, Yunus Emre Konak and Ji-soo Kim will play on Wednesday. Neither Colchester nor Brentford will win the Carabao Cup (this season) but Frank will not want to lose to us on Wednesday.
I wonder will DC make several changes given that we have an important game on Saturday against Accrington Stanley (who do not play this midweek having lost at Tranmere in Round One).
Colchester have signed defender Aaron Donnelly on loan from Nottingham Forest. He plays in the back four on the left-hand side but may not figure tomorrow evening.
The other big story is whether Lyle Taylor will play on Wednesday evening.
DC is likely to make some changes though given that this is a bonus game for the club.
So, a change in goal and at the back with a change in midfield and a change up front too.
Something like this: 4,1,4,1
Smith
Hunt Kells Flanagan Iandolo
Read
Gordon Payne Woodyard Anderson
Tovide
Subs;
Macey Edwards Goodliffe Ihionvien Bishop Hopper Taylor
Wednesday night is just the sort of game to give Lyle Taylor 20 minutes. He is after all a big game player. The Montserrat striker would relish some minutes against premier league players.
Scoreline on a balmy warm 24 degrees Celsius night in Colchester will be 3-2 to the super U’s in what is a Sky Sports+ televised game.
Payne, Tovide and Big Lyle Taylor with the goals.
Notwithstanding the quality of Brentford they are surely more focussed on Southampton Home on Saturday which is a 6 pointer.
Now my abridged write up from 2 years ago.
“Colchester and WB made Six changes from the weekend 4,2,3,1.
O’Hara
Tchamadeu Eastman Dallison Kazeem
Skuse Marshall Miranda
Ashley Chilvers Newby
Akinde
Subs
Hornby Hannant Sears Coxe Tovide Chambers Clampin Nouble Owens
Big John was given the full 96 minutes.
Thomas Frank lined up making 11 changes from their weekend defeat to Fulham 4,2,3,1.
Strakosha
Roerslev M Jorgen Bech Sar Stevens
Onueka Janelt
Lewis-Potter Baptiste Damsgaard
Dervisoglu
Subs
Dasilva Ghoddos Toney Wissa Trevitt Hickey Jensen Cox
Now the difference between Premier League players and League Two apart from skill level is time on the ball. Brentford made sure that they didn’t rush their passes and played attractive passing movements. But so did we.
Tchamadeu and Kazeem linked up well with their further advanced colleagues. Marshall Miranda and Skuse played just ahead of the defence but it was Newby who stood out above the rest. He controlled the midfield and his football was intelligent and his passing sure and accurate.
He was unlucky early doors with an effort that went just wide.
I thought that Ashley and Chilvers were quiet but Chilvers dead ball play was very good. At Stockport recently Chilvers was also quiet and I know that it is rumoured that an offer is not far away but we must resist. He is needed this season to get us in apposition to challenge for the promotion spots.
Big John Akinde was winning the ball in the air but his mobility is a problem when the ball is on the deck.
It was ironic that Brentford took the lead against the run of play. Baptiste who has earlier fluffed his lines when through on goal but allowed O’Hara to fall on the ball and grab it away from him made no mistake in the 39th minute when he slid through an inch perfect pass to Lewis-Potter who calmly netted past O’Hara. Brentford fans rose from their slumbers and sang “You’re not singing anymore” but frankly the South Stand sang throughout the game.
In truth the difference between the two sides was that one slick pass which led to the goal. We battled superbly and Frank was agitated on the touchline.
Half Time and a narrow lead for the Premier side. The only change for the U’s at Half Time was Chambers on for Eastman. Tactical perhaps because Tom didn’t look injured.
Attractive approach play didn’t challenge O’Hara too much and we worked tremendously hard to create openings. Brentford for all their 1-0 lead didn’t sing and Frank looked for changes. Onyeka went off on 56 minutes replaced by Ghoddos.
Kazeem who I thought was slightly overawed second half fouled Roerslev and was booked. He injured himself and was replaced shortly afterwards by Clampin on 64 minutes. Owens came on for Ashley at the same time. I thought Ashley was too quiet and looked out of his depth.
A minute later Frank made two more changes Dasilva and Wissa for Roerslev and Damsgaard. Frank was to go on and make two more regular first team, changes such was his concern as Colchester grew ever more into the game.
That final third quality was lacking from the U’s. Dallison rose superbly only to place his header wide of the goal. Newby struck a fine effort which Strakosha saved very well.
The noise in the South Stand reached a crescendo after that passage of play.
To stem the tide Frank made his final two subs – Toney and Trevitt for Lewis-Potter and Dervisoglu on 72 minutes.
WB responded on 83 minutes by taking off the hard-working Marshall Miranda and introducing Big Frank. I was disappointed not to see Samson Tovide given some minutes.
Now Big Frank actually looked the part for those last 13 minutes (7+6). Playing wide right, he took the ball down the wing just in front of where I was sitting and delivered a couple of dangerous crosses.
Brentford resorted to some timewasting notably from the keeper and a couple of dubious collapses on the pitch. A mere 6 minutes was added on and during this time in the 92nd minute a corner was flicked on and Bech Sorensen deflected it past O’Hara.
Frankly 2-0 flattered Brentford. I am not denying them the victory but I felt that we had done enough to eke out an equaliser and take the game to penalties.
The stats are interesting Colchester figures first: Possession 35%/65%, Shots 12/13, On Target 4/5, Corners 5/3, Fouls 7/11.”
Returning to this match on Wednesday.
Enjoy the game.
Attendance likely to be 6,000.
Up the U’s
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| Forum
Thread | Bishop Street Stand Field Mill
at 00:20 27 Aug 2024
Gerry you will be pleased to know that the Stags are finally tearing down this old stand after 40+ years and will be erecting a new stand.
Ironic now that they have been promoted so we won't see it in all it's glory.
Perhaps the FA Cup will pair us with the Stags. |
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Accrington Stanley v Colchester United prediction logged |
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Thread | Super U's find the right chemistry to vanquish the Sulphurites at the JCS
at 11:34 22 Aug 2024
Big news this week for Harrogate Town is that time is running out for those wishing to apply to become the next Harry Gator, the team’s mascot.
Simon Weaver will have been pleased to have picked up a point at Accrington Stanley but disappointed when the Sulphurites sat back and tried to protect their advantage when 2-1 up in the second half. In the end a 3-3 draw meant the points were shared.
Harrogate have Jack Muldoon in their ranks who is always capable of scoring a goal.
But enough about the Sulphurites, we want to know whether DC has the right chemical formula to gain another three valuable points at home this weekend.
So, what have we learned about the new look Colchester this season.
After a brilliant start to the game against Wimbledon we somehow let things slip and finally lost 4-2. Robbed by poor officiating and an inability to create chances second half I felt, from my settee vantage spot courtesy of Sky Sports+ that we were unlucky to lose.
It could be argued that DC didn’t quite have the correct formation particularly in midfield. Also, with 11 new signings this season there is always the consideration of knitting together a new formation and blending the old with the new.
Clearly Jack Payne is already a contender for POTS and replacing Arthur Read in the hearts of the faithful. Whatever Read’s issue with the club or his teammates he need to get with the programme and quickly because we need his work rate and ability in the team. Is he disappointed not to have joined his former colleagues at Edgeley Park or at Victoria Park Dingwall for the Staggies. Well perhaps but maybe not the latter anyway.
Read remains one of our most effective players and I want to see him in midfield with Payne, Bishop and Woodyard. Can they all play together as a diamond with Read just ahead of the back four.
Is that the issue that DC reckons they can’t all start together. Which is bigger the club or an individual. Arthur Read in the squad certainly makes us stronger, sort it out Arthur.
The difference from Matchday one to the brilliant and deserved victory over the Royals was surely Alex Woodyard. His energy and enthusiasm was evident from the word go and he performed superbly well against Reading and the MK Dons.
Matt Macey looks the part. Colchester’s number 1 brilliantly saved two penalties against the Royals and his handling, shot stopping and distribution looks very strong.
At the back I am still not entirely sold on Rob Hunt, but he is improving each game. Unluckiest player has to be Ben Goodliffe, he was on for a superb hattrick before he was fouled and suffered serious damage to his front teeth and significant bruising.
When fully fit he must come back in but at present let’s not risk him. Kells or Egbo offer able deputies alongside captain Tom Flanagan and with Ellis Iandolo a comfortable left back the back four are pretty well established. Don’t forget that when fully fit Goodliffe must slot back alongside Flanagan.
As previously mentioned the imperious Jack Payne has perhaps put Arthur Read slightly into the shade but competition is important. Alex Woodyard is making the position his own and Teddy Bishop is a great capture and a solid bit of business.
Perhaps one of the finds of the season is Milton Oni who was so composed when taking his penalty against Reading. Milton gave a fluid, forensic performance, sterilising the Reading midfield.
Harry Anderson is another player whom the Cowleys know inside out and fitness is his bete noire. Keeping him fit is key to his best performances. Owura Edwards is another who has great technique and ability but fitness is also an issue.
John Kymani Gordon offers wing options and will only get stronger with more match minutes. Tom Hopper remains a Cowley favourite and always gives 100% even though his goals tally is still underwhelming.
That leaves that old chestnut the strikers. Samson Tovide is talented but has an ability to lose his temper quickly when constantly being manhandled or fouled. Bradley Ihionvien is going to be a Championship level player but he is still learning his trade. I am still unsure as to whether they can both line up together.
We are in truth still looking for another striker but will that be a Premier or Championship youngster or an old stager. What about Lyle Taylor. Apparently suffering from a calf injury, he might be in contention for Saturday but it may be he remains an impact substitute. I want to see him start a game though because he looks a player, perhaps he might start at Accrington Stanley.
It seems to me that this squad is good enough to achieve a top seven finish. Our rivals would appear to be Bradford (perennial underachievers), Doncaster (who almost pulled off a miracle last season), Gillingham (big spenders), Walsall (surprise early pace setters), Chesterfield (difficult to discount them), Port Vale (the ultimate yo-yo team), Tranmere (Wirral rubbish), MK Dons (nightmare start but still missing their best players).
Now even looking through my rose-tinted spectacles I know that we cannot afford to be complacent and it is still very early doors in what will be a long and gruelling season but investment from RC and the studious managerial input from DC and NC suggest that the good old days could be returning. This could be our best season since 2005/06 and we all know what happened then.
So, who will DC select on Saturday to carry on the good work against Harrogate. I am really happy with nine players, the only two possible changes would be Read and Anderson instead of Gordon and Hopper.
From the subs, if Taylor is fit then he could replace Oni on the bench. DC really has an interesting decision to make with what is the makings of a very good squad.
At the back the only possible alteration to the formation would surely be a back three allowing four in the midfield and thus allowing Read to play as part of a diamond four in midfield. Similarly, up front does DC play Ihionvien and Tovide together in place of Hopper and Gordon. If Taylor starts then Tovide or Ihionvien to play alongside him. This would allow a 4,4,2 formation.
Keeping Read on the bench might keep him keen but the alternative is to employ all four in midfield and two up front but then we are short of an out and out winger.
As always the astute use of substitutes will be critical to success.
Therefore, let’s start with the following on Saturday in a 4,3,3, formation.
Macey
Hunt Kells Flanagan Iandolo
Woodyard Bishop Payne
Gordon Tovide Hopper
Subs:
Smith Anderson Oni* Edwards Ihionvien Read Egbo (Taylor*)
Scoreline. I’m going for an impressive message sending 3-0 to the Super U’s.
Decent crowd expected circa 5,000.
No complacency just another solid professional performance.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
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Thread | Super U's to get their league season up and running at the JCS
at 21:31 16 Aug 2024
Tomorrow sees the Super U’s start their home league account to the MK Dons.
Tuesday night saw the U’s deservedly defeat Reading in the Carabao Cup and secure a lucrative Second Round Tie at home to Brentford.
DC would want the JCS to become a fortress and there is no reason why they cannot achieve the consistency of performance which has been lacking for the last four years.
Last Saturday we started like potential League winners and had it not been for the incompetence of the referee we would definitely have secured at least a point.
The injury to Ben Goodliffe was a shocker and once again the referee failed to take decisive, no, any action. Although he is likely to be available for the match squad, I would not risk him from the start but possibly offer him some valuable minutes from the bench but preferably give him another week until the Harrogate game to recover.
The damage to his teeth and the consequent bruising was serious. Worse still he was definitely on for a hattrick after two superb headed goals in the first 9 minutes.
Ignore the Carabao cup games, I’m sure that the MK Dons would want to forget the mauling they received at Watford and they will be fighting for league points. They played the Bantams in the league last week and lost 2-1, no disgrace because Bradford are a sleeping giant and perhaps this season is their opportunity to achieve promotion.
Mike Williamson is under pressure and has some injury doubts of his own to worry about. Most disappointing of all is probably that sustained by Nico Lawrence who has a knee injury and will be out for 8 weeks. Lawrence impressed at Colchester last season but suffered a shoulder injury which considerably limited his playing time. Alex Gilbey will be playing though against his former team.
Now I liked the way that Colchester played on Saturday and Tuesday night. Plenty of positivity and creativity, I predict a 3-1 victory for the Super U’s, but who will be starting for DC’s team.
Penalty hero Matt Macey will be between the sticks and the back four will likely be Hunt, Kells, Flanagan and Iandolo with a midfield of Read, Bishop and Payne. Hopper, Tovide and Edwards will start up front.
Therefore, as follows:
Macey
Hunt Kells Flanagan Iandolo
Read Bishop Payne
Hopper Tovide Edwards
Subs Smith, Terry, Gordon, Egbo, Greenidge, Ihionvien, Woodyard
The calf injury sustained by Lyle Taylor appears to be keeping him out. When I wonder will he make his league debut.
DC would like to strengthen his squad still further, a striker and another midfielder perhaps.
Still a home league win would be most welcome and will give the team more confidence as they aim to establish themselves in the top seven.
Expect a decent crowd about 4,000.
Remember the A12 is closed this weekend.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
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Thread | Super U's to create a Royal shock at the JCS
at 19:13 13 Aug 2024
Starting XI
Macey
Hunt Kells Egbo Iandolo
Woodyard Bishop Payne
Hopper Tovide Edwards
Subs
Smith Read Terry Gordon Bendle Oni Greenidge Thorn Ihionvien
Clearly the calf injury affecting Taylor is going to be an annoying one.
Ben Goodliffe suffered a horror challenge and will definitely be out for some time.
Not only dentistry required but bruising as well.
U's 2 Royals 1
Hope the pitch plays well.
Pitch looks to have reverted to it's original dimensions.
Remember no extra time straight to penalties in the unlikely event that we don't win inside 90 minutes.
Up the U's
[Post edited 13 Aug 19:38]
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Thread | Super new U's to start with impressive win at Plough Lane
at 13:44 9 Aug 2024
After survival Saturday on 27 April when a 1-1 draw against Crewe secured another season in League Two with a spectacular finish from Noah Chilvers, it has been a very busy Summer transfer window for the Cowley brothers with 11 new signings.
Chilvers himself has taken the high road to Ross County and started with an 88th minute substitution appearance. So, we move on, and arguably the best player at the club Arthur Read has stayed to help fire the U’s to promotion this season.
I have to say that I am very optimistic about the forthcoming season. Fellow boarders will suggest that I say this every season, but it is the quality of signings that have been brought in that give rise to this optimism. DC now has a squad to not only retain our status as a League club but also to challenge within the top seven.
There has also been a significant change in viewing opportunities this season. Apart from actually being there live, the advent of Sky Sports + will enable supporters to watch more than 20 of their games this season (providing they subscribe to the full sports package). IFollow is also available to subscribers.
It also means that our first game at Plough Lane will be shown live together with the other 35 EFL games this weekend. Of course, a magnificent 1100+ of the faithful will be travelling to see our new look Colchester United on Saturday afternoon. Such is the enthusiasm for the Cowley project.
So, our squad with numbers looks like this:
Goalkeepers
1 Matt Macey
12 Tom Smith
Defenders
3 Ellis Iandolo
4 Fiacre Kelleher
5 Ben Goodliffe
6 Tom Flanagan (Club Captain)
18 Mandela Egbo
19 Rob Hunt
22 William Greenidge
40 Frankie Terry
Midfield
7 Harry Anderson
10 Jack Payne
16 Arthur Read
21 Owura Edwards
27 Matt Jay
30 Alex Woodyard
8 Teddy Bishop
29 Conor Wilkinson
Strikers
9 Samson Tovide
11 John-Kymani Gordon
31 Oscar Thorn
33 Lyle Taylor
48 Bradley Ihionvien
Now of course with such an upheaval at the club involving playing staff and the possibility of a couple more signings boarders will be looking forward to seeing DC’s first starting XI on Saturday afternoon.
We know that Matt Macey will be our Number One and that Tom Flanagan is the new Club Captain, but what about the other nine starters.
Options for the back four are strong and it could be argued that Kells and Egbo could start but I think Hunt and Goodliffe will start at the back.
Midfield offers even more choice with Edwards and Jay offering alternatives but I reckon Anderson will start along with Payne, Read and Bishop who offer considerable ability and experience. Conor Wilkinson is likely to be moving on in the near future.
I must admit that I am unsure about Samson Tovide’s fitness and so Bradley Ihionvien together with Lyle Taylor should start as an exciting duo. Hopper and Gordon offer alternatives of course.
Therefore, I believe that DC may start with the following team in a 4,1,3,2 formation:
Macey
Hunt Goodliffe Flanagan Iandolo
Read
Anderson Payne Bishop
Taylor Ihionvien
Subs:
Smith, Kells, Egbo, Edwards, Jay, Gordon, Hopper
Johnnie Jackson will have a strong Wimbledon team at his disposal including our old friends Owen Goodman, Alistair Smith and John Joe O’Toole.
Lyle Taylor will be reunited with one of his former clubs on Saturday and he certainly knows where the goal is. This however should be Bradley’s season and I am confident that he can score 20 goals, the first to do so since Jamie Cureton for the U’s.
My prediction is for a 2-1 Colchester victory with Taylor and Ihionvien on the scoresheet.
The travelling support will be in good form (including Wessex) and I hope that everyone has a safe journey and enjoys the game.
Up the U’s
[Post edited 9 Aug 13:49]
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| Prediction | Prediction Logged by at 13:38:35
AFC Wimbledon v Colchester United prediction logged |
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Thread | League Two Play Offs
at 20:21 7 May 2024
Last night I watched Donny Rovers cane Crewe 2-0.
Tonight after the pitch was passed fit to play Crawley are absolutely caning the Franchise 2-0 at HT.
An upset on the cards perhaps. |
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Thread | Expect the real Colchester United to turn up at the JCS for historic victory
at 21:19 26 Apr 2024
Today is the 16th Anniversary of the last ever game played at Layer Road. I was there with 6,299 others to witness Stoke City achieve a 1-0 win in a tense and close fought game.
Tomorrow will witness another tense game. It has come down to the last game of the season (again). We need another Carlisle, PNE or Brentford performance at the JCS tomorrow.
Abridged Table:
4th – 9th:
MK Dons 45 77 +15
Doncaster 45 70 +5
Crewe 45 70 +4
Barrow 45 68 +6
Crawley 45 67 +4
Bradford 45 66 -1
Bottom three:
COL U 45 44 -21 (45 11 11 23)
Sutton 45 41 -25 (45 9 14 22)
FGR 45 39 Relegated
Never mind about the Sutton game, this is in our hands and we simply have to avoid defeat; any other result and a Sutton victory and we are well and truly in squeaky bum time.
Tuesday night is done and dusted we were appalling second half simple as. At half time everyone would have taken a 2-1 defeat but we contrived to embarrass ourselves with a weak and spineless performance to gift three goals to Rovers. Frankly this is one of the worst ever seasons in Colchester’s history, we have lost 23 games, it is simply awful.
So, for the final time this season we prepare to do battle for our survival in the EFL.
A decent crowd is expected probably about 7,500:
E4, E5, E6, E7, E8 limited seats remaining.
S1 Sold Out, S2, S3, S4 limited seats remaining.
W1, W2, W3 limited seats remaining, W4 sold out W6 limited seats remaining.
There can be no mistakes, no shocking defensive errors and we must carve out and convert our chances.
But who is going to start the game for the U’s.
This would be my team:
Hornby
Richardson Kells Hall Iandolo
Read Mingi McGeehan Fevrier
Hopper Akinde
I suspect however that DC will line up:
Hornby
Mingi Harbottle Hall Iandolo
Read Chilvers McGeehan Fevrier
Hopper Akinde
Subs:
Goodman Jay Richardson Kells Cooper Wilkinson Ihionvien
Good substitutions required early if all is not going well.
Weather at Kick Off will be 10 degrees Celsius, mostly cloudy with a 31% chance of precipitation and breezy.
Crewe led by Lee Bell and Ryan Dicker are after the three points or so they say. They will not want to keep the game too open and will equally not want to lose, so it could be a cagey affair.
However, after a shocker at Notts County and 45 minutes of hell on Tuesday we need to finally turn up and put in a performance worthy of a club that wants to stay in the Football League.
There should be no necessity for additional motivation. The players can decide whether they want to travel to Chesterfield or Gateshead next season.
In preparation for the match, I watched the 1957 version of the 3:10 to Yuma. A ranch hand has to escort a notorious outlaw to justice. Against all the odds he achieves it, Van Heflin is the rancher and Glenn Ford is the outlaw. Various versions have been made over the years but this is by far and away the best. The atmosphere builds as time turns towards the train’s arrival at the station and it is just the two men who take the last journey from the hotel to the railway train.
Unlike Crewe they do not hit the buffers or become derailed and the train steams into the distance.
DC and NC know what is expected of them. Survival and they are likely to be canonised, failure is not an option.
Scoreline 4-1 to the U’s after the real Colchester United turn up. Akinde, Hopper, Fevrier and McGeehan with the goals.
Bring on next season.
Safe journey to all travelling U’s. I’m travelling down early doors. Wouldn’t miss this one. Don’t forget get it recorded too because Sky have decided once again to show the great Col U live.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
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Thread | And now you're gonna believe us, the U's are staying up!
at 21:35 19 Apr 2024
Meadow Lane on Saturday and over the years I have seen some topsy turvy games there.
One such was in the 2016/17 season. We were towards the upper reaches of league Two whilst Notts County were fighting for survival. We took the lead and then the Magpies found some form in front of just over 6,000 supporters. They scored three and each time the tannoy played “The Great Escape” theme tune.
Time for the rejuvenated DC inspired U’s to turn the tables and achieve consecutive doubles over first Grimsby and now Notts County in the same week. Scoreline 3-1 to the U’s of course.
Courtesy of iFollow I watched the Grimsby game on Tuesday night. The U’s deservedly won the game and Big John scored an absolute peach of a goal after Hops sublime chip started the scoring.
Salford 44 47
Grimsby 44 46
COL U 43 44
Sutton 44 40
FGR 44 36 Relegated
Earlier in the season the U’s won a pulsating game against the former league leaders 5-4 and since then County’s fortunes have nose-dived. Stuart Maynard is their new manager but the blame for their collapse doesn’t lie with him alone. Despite Macaulay Langstaff and David McGoldrick and the U’s Richard Brindley they only have the beach to enjoy this summer. Of course, Gerry’s favourite Sam Slocombe may be between the sticks up to his feline tricks! The Goalkeepers’ Union has come to the fore on many occasions when Slocombe is between the sticks.
Frankly I care not what the Magpies get up to; Saturday is all about the U’s and getting the job done. A win and it matters not what Sutton manage at home to their local rivals.
And I think the U’s deserve to stay up. Despite a wretched season we could win our remaining games and finish on 53 points.
RC has money for the Brothers to spend next season. Now I’m not going to introduce any negativity at this stage only to say that others will have been watching the success of DC and NC and we must ensure that they are not lured away from the JCS. Now I’ve mentioned it and that’s all I’m saying on the subject.
Discipline has been dodgy of late; that either means the players are fully up for the fight or they are overzealous in the challenges or physicality. Dave Artell said we were over physical on Tuesday; I would prefer to say that DC has introduced some streetwise football. For too long we have been guilty of playing neat, controlled football with no end product. DC has had heart to heart discussions with some players to sort out the necessity for controlled aggression and a resilience amongst the squad.
At Wolves after losing the first leg of the play offs 2-0 at Layer Road we drew 0-0 at Molineux (Tony Adcock) was playing so that dates the game. A Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter said to me after the game that we had played well and perhaps deserved to win on the night but added wryly you’ll never get promoted though unless you introduce some steel into your play.
So, Samson Tovide is joined in the sin bin by Tom Dallison and both won’t play any more this season. Alistair Smith might be out injured; therefore, DC needs to make a couple of changes along these lines:
Hornby
Richardson Kells Hall
Fevrier Mingi Read McGeehan Iandolo
Akinde Hopper
Subs
Chilvers Goodman Harbottle Ihionvien Jay Wilkinson Anderson (if fit)
Jay Mingi has been a revelation at the back and then his forays forward have been outstanding so bring him back to midfield and give him free rein.
Weather in Nottingham will be 9 degrees Celsius cloudy with sunny intervals and dry.
Now there could be close on 1000 of the faithful at the game including Wessex, Mr and Mrs Witham, TOOT, Noah and Gerry the Cat.
Should be a carnival atmosphere and it is important to get the job done tomorrow. Momentum will then carry the U’s to further victories against Donny and Crewe. Finish strongly and send the supporters home happy against the Railwaymen.
3-1 tomorrow with Hops and McGeehan on the scoresheet with perhaps Kells powering in a header like someone else used to do from Centre Back for the U’s.
The party starts at 4:50pm (or for Gerry after 11 minutes of added time!)
Safe journey to all travelling faithful.
Enjoy the game and Up the U’s
DC and NC will be running down the touchline to be with the supporters tomorrow. Brilliant stuff and Connor Hall will lead the celebratory fist pumping.
This is why we support the U’s
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| Forum
Thread | Mariners gutted by Super U's at the JCS
at 18:42 16 Apr 2024
Busy today hence keeping this very brief.
Colchester to win 4-1 with Hopper and McGeehan on the scoresheet.
Team:
Hornby
Mingi Dallison Hall
Fevrier Smith Read Chilvers Iandolo
McGeehan Hopper
Subs
Goodman Jay Wilkinson Harbottle Akinde Richardson Ihionvien
Tovide now suspended for 4 games.
Weather 8 degrees Celsius dry a little breezy.
Decent crowd to see the U’s almost safe.
A rare double for the season too.
iFollow for us Exiles.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
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