 | Forum
Thread | Bantams to experience avian flu at the feet of the imperious Super U's
at 20:24 21 Mar 2025
Now one look at the fixture tomorrow and we would see a league Two clash between two sides vying to get promotion to League One. Nothing spectacular in that, the game is only worth three points and defeat either way doesn’t signify the end of the road for one of these teams in that aim.
Or does it?
Football has this amazing knack of throwing up a game at the optimum possible time.
An International break so Sky Sports + have the rights to screen it at 3pm (steady Ed), the opportunity for the Bantams to offer a fiver a ticket including the hordes of Colchester fans (1000) who will travel to Valley Parade. A crowd of 22,000 plus in the University of Bradford Stadium AKA Valley Parade, the largest since the stadium was rebuilt, bigger even than our game there in March 2023 when I sat amongst the 20,383 to witness a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Bantams.
Earlier in the season a 99th minute equaliser from Jamie McDonnell gave us a deserved point against Bradford at the JCS.
But tomorrow it will be something special. Bradford have just lost to Gillingham and Tranmere both 1-0 and lost their 10 successive home victories on the trot record. We are unbeaten in 13 games and looking for our 6th successive victory (we last won 10 in a row between December 2005 and February 2006 and we know what happened in May 2006).
But forget about everything prior to this Saturday because it means nothing, we have won nothing yet. The important thing that matters is that we have 9 cup finals to play and only then can we look at the league table for the final reckoning.
Saturday 22 March 3pm Bradford Away – Sky Sports+
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
They can be the most important games since 2006 and DC and NC know that we are on the margins of achieving something special this season but it will not be defined by Valley Parade (although a victory will continue to shorten our promotion odds at the bookies).
Now DC is right to play down the game and to heap praise on the Bantams (but not too much). A big crowd can be intimidating for the Away contingent, but equally it can become a pressure cooker for the Home team. For long periods of that game in 2023 the stadium fell silent as Colchester threatened the Bantams goal and the tension was palpable. As I wrote earlier big crowds can also be a hindrance to the home side.
When we won at Sheffield Wednesday some years ago, the crowd became hostile to their home side as we demolished them 3-0.
One man who must stand strong tomorrow is the referee Mr Will Finnie from Luton. No homers please.
League Two table top seven:
Walsall 37 69
Bradford 36 66
Wimbledon 37 63
Doncaster Rovers 37 63
Notts Co 37 61
PV 36 61
COL U 37 58
The truth is that over the past three months we have crept under the radar and have not only closed the gap on those above us, but also have indicated that we have the right to be there amongst them.
Psychologically three points at Valley Parade gives us 61 points and places further pressure on those in the automatic positions. Graham Alexander knows all about pressure, he has seen it all in the game but so have the Cowleys. George Lapslie will also be a leading light for the Bantams tomorrow as will Sam Walker who might put his back out picking the ball out of the net!
The Bradford weather will be 14 degrees Celsius with light showers and light winds and some sunshine. The pitch will be challenging but we know all about that!!!!
It is unlikely that DC will make any changes to his starting XI:
Macey
Egbo Kells Flanagan Hunt
Read Iandolo
Anderson Payne Edwards
Taylor
Subs:
Smith Gordon Simpson Tucker Aboh Thorn Jolliffe
Much has been made of Bradford’s injury woes, but do not forget we are without Teddy Bishop, Samson Tovide and KVY and Jamie McDonnell is away on International duty.
It is possible that we might have Anthony Scully on the bench tomorrow, but we will see.
Now I have a ticket for the game, but it is unlikely that I will be able to make it. Sadly, I am unwell at present (and have been for some little time) and neither of my sons are available to drive me to the game. It is likely therefore that I will have to content myself with watching on Sky Sports +.
The faithful might be happy with that, I have been to 7 games this season and everyone has been a drawn encounter. I am very disappointed though not to be at VP.
The U’s can win tomorrow and will win tomorrow. 2-1 with Lyle Taylor on the mark with an Edwards classy long-range effort.
We do not need to fear the Bantams. A degree of respect yes of course, but we are there to show that we are not making up the numbers but deserve to be there on merit.
For those travelling, safe journey, enjoy the game and I will be cheering on the U’s from darkest Durham.
Don't forget your blue and white scarves.
Up the U’s
  |
| Prediction | Prediction Logged by at 19:06:34
Bradford City v Colchester United prediction logged |
| Prediction | Prediction Logged by at 07:55:14
Colchester United v Fleetwood Town prediction logged |
| Forum
Thread | Valiant Super U's to overcome PV at the JCS tonight
at 10:40 11 Mar 2025
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.
So, what does DC do?
Something along these lines:
Macey
Hunt Tucker Flanagan Iandolo
Egbo Read
Gordon Payne Edwards
Tovide
Subs:
Smith, Anderson, KVY, Thorn, Taylor, Simpson, Aboh
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.
The U’s are going up!
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
|
| Prediction | Prediction Logged by at 10:33:04
Colchester United v Port Vale prediction logged |
| Forum
Thread | Bradford City Away Saturday 22 March
at 13:46 8 Mar 2025
Tickets are now available on the Bradford City site for Colchester supporters at £5 each regardless of category.
You can access their site via the tab on the Colchester official web site under Away tickets.
Up the U's |
| Forum
Thread | Super U's to clip Robins' wings at Whaddon Road
at 20:59 6 Mar 2025
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:
Macey
Egbo Kells Flanagan Iandolo
McDonnell KVY
Gordon Payne Edwards
Tovide
Subs
Smith, Tucker, Thorn, Taylor, Anderson, Aboh, Scully (surprise return)
A good following of the faithful at Whaddon Road, will any be staying for the Cheltenham Festival I wonder starting next Tuesday.
Weather will be a mild 15 degrees Celsius partly sunny and breezy but dry.
3-0 to the U’s with Tovide, Payne and Kells on the scoresheet.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
|
| Prediction | Prediction Logged by at 20:51:41
Cheltenham Town v Colchester United prediction logged |
| Forum
Thread | Super U's to secure three more promotion points against ChezVegas tonight
at 18:53 4 Mar 2025
No time for any preview today so I am just running with the DC Official starting XI:
Macey
Egbo Kells Flanagan Iandolo
Read McDonnell
Gordon Payne Edwards
Simpson
Subs
Smith Anderson Tovide Tucker KVY Thorn Taylor
Scoreline Colchester 2 Chesterfield 0
Sky Sports + tonight
Enjoy the game.
Up the U's
|
| Prediction | Prediction Logged by at 18:44:27
Colchester United v Chesterfield prediction logged |
| Forum
Thread | Today's early games
at 13:08 1 Mar 2025
Salford 1 Bradford 0
Tranmere 1 PV 1
36 minutes played.
I'm watching the Moor Lane game and the pitch is shocking.
Bradford have two players injured in the first half and both substituted.
Up the U's [Post edited 1 Mar 13:15]
|
| Forum
Thread | Franchise to come unstuck against the Super U's at Stadium MK
at 14:10 28 Feb 2025
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:
Macey
Egbo Kells Flanagan Iandolo
McDonnell Payne Read
Gordon Taylor Tovide
Subs
Smith, KVY, Thorn, Hunt, Anderson, Lisbie, Aboh
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
[Post edited 1 Mar 8:41]
|
| Prediction | Prediction Logged by at 13:17:22
MK Dons v Colchester United prediction logged |
| Forum
Thread | Super U's to make the Dons an offer they can't refuse on Saturday afternoon
at 15:53 21 Feb 2025
AFC Wimbledon are in Town this Saturday and this will provide another opportunity for the U’s to defeat a top seven team.
Walsall 31 63
Wimbledon 31 56
Doncaster 32 55
Notts County 31 54
Bradford 31 54
PV 30 52
Crewe 32 49
----------------
Salford 31 48
Grimsby 31 48
Chesterfield 30 42
COL U 31 42
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.
Up the U’s
|
| Prediction | Prediction Logged by at 15:03:45
Colchester United v AFC Wimbledon prediction logged |
| Forum
Thread | Magpies undone by super U's at Meadow Lane this evening
at 18:38 18 Feb 2025
The matches are coming thick and fast with Meadow Lane and Notts County on the agenda tonight.
I am staying at home and watching on Sky Sports + but safe journeys for the all the travelling faithful.
261 on Saturday for the Carlisle trip was epic and it was a shame that Lyle Taylor couldn’t take his two presentable chances. I suppose goalkeepers prevailed but certainly the second half chance with Breeze managed to steer over the bar was really one that should have been buried. Anderson then had a superb opportunity but failed to register a shot.
Sparky’s first home game was always going to be a tough encounter but we had enough on the field to have prevailed.
Walsall 31 63
Wimbledon 30 55
Bradford 31 54
Notts Co 30 53
PV 30 52
Doncaster 31 52
Crewe 32 49
Salford 31 48
Grimsby 31 48
Chesterfield 30 42
Bromley 31 42
COL U 30 41
Now after the draw on Saturday (a game that perhaps last season we might have lost) a number of the faithful have cooled to the idea of a top seven finish.
I predicted top seven at the start of the season and have seen nothing to suggest that Colchester cannot achieve that finish.
However, DC must be more ambitious with his substitutions to give fresh legs earlier in the second half and a tad more pace up top when LT is either tiring or being substituted.
Tyreece Simpson is definitely not the answer though. I was excited when he signed on loan and when I saw his debut at Harrogate but he showed nothing then and on Saturday his 17-minute cameo was absolutely hopeless. For a big powerfully built footballer he lacks pace and the ability to hold the ball up or to tackle where it counts. Worse he gives the impression that he doesn’t know where the goal is.
Now we have strengthened the squad in the January window and I would like to see Aboh given some minutes tonight. He will be pacy and keen and certainly better than Simpson.
Anderson played the full 97 minutes on Saturday and It think it is time for him to be dropped in favour of Gordon or Thorn (although where is Oscar Thorn).
So just make one starting change tonight:
Macey
Egbo Kells Flanagan Iandolo
McDonnell Bishop
Gordon Payne Edwards
Taylor
Subs
KVY, Aboh, Tucker, Read, Smith, Anderson, Simpson
Notts County will offer a stiff challenge under Stuart Maynard. They will be smarting after their narrow defeat to PV last week.
I think that the U’s know they should have done better on Saturday and I expect to see an inspired performance and a 3-1 Super U’s win tonight. That will set things up nicely for the Wombles on Saturday.
Weather tonight 3 degrees Celsius with a clear sky and light winds.
Safe journey, enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
|
| Prediction | Prediction Logged by at 17:18:12
Notts County v Colchester United prediction logged |
| Forum
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
|
| | durham_exile
|
Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 87 | | Comment Votes: | 0 | | Prediction League: | 40 | | TOTAL: | 127 |
|
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
