JM faces his most important week to date as Colchester United manager. Two home matches against our old fiends, play off chasing Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow and then struggling Hartlepool on Saturday.
Nothing less than 6 points will do after hugely damaging games against Crawley and Accrington Stanley. Much has been written about the Accrington game and everyone agrees that the first 45 minutes was the worst that Colchester have played all season.
Notwithstanding the fact that Richard Clark the referee was hopelessly out of his depth and managing to get all the big decisions wrong; the foul in the penalty area on Denny Johnstone which led to him initially hobbling off with a knee injury and then stretchered off down the touchline, the red card for Beckles challenge on Dickenson which looked far worse than it was, (interestingly John Coleman is not appealing the decision branding the process a waste of time) numerous inconsistent decisions and a second half desire to make up for his error of judgement by giving the home team the benefit of some shocking challenges.
In truth, the second half saw two very sensible changes from JM which introduced Briggs and Wright for Brindley and Lapslie. Matt Briggs and Brennan Dickenson then combined so well down the left-hand side of the field that Dickenson delivered numerous delicious crosses, that should have led to three goals from Guthrie and Porter.
Colchester may have laid siege to the Accrington goal for the last 20 minutes, but the damage had been done by two appalling pieces of defending in the first half. First the very impressive Billy Kee found himself all alone in front of Walker on 18 minutes, took the ball down superbly and gave the keeper no chance from 10 yards out. Then from a direct free kick Walker parried the ball out for a corner which was swung in to the far post and defender Pearson headed the ball goalward and Walker was stuck on his line and managed only to flap at the ball and helped it into the back of the net.
We never recovered and although there was much huffing and puffing throughout the second half, Accrington should have scored a third when having rounded the keeper they fired wide of the empty net.
The 208 faithful in a crowd of only 1,310 were disgruntled and rightly so after such a poor display.
Now we have a growing injury list, made worse by the fact that Johnstone is now out with a knee injury but less us examine the teams that lined up against Carlisle and Accrington.
Carlisle — WHCS Saturday 7 January 2017 4-1 to the U’s - Formation 3,4,1,2
Walker
Eastman Kent Elokobi
Brindley* Lapslie Garvan Dickenson
Slater*
Porter* Guthrie
Subs: Barnes Wright* Vincent-Young Wynter Johnstone* Doyley Fosu*
*Denotes substitution
Now compare that team with the one that lined up on Saturday against Accrington Stanley and lost 2-1 — Formation 4,3,3
Walker
Brindley* Vincent-Young Wynter Elokobi
Lapslie* Slater Garvan
Johnstone* Guthrie Dickenson
Subs: Barnes Edge Briggs* Wright* Porter* Fosu James
*Denotes substitution
Essentially and surprisingly for all the injuries, our team is only deficient of two defenders, Kent and Eastman. Despite this the last seven games have seen 2 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats.
Now on Tuesday evening the Chairboys led by Gareth Ainsworth come to town on a wretched run of 6 defeats in the last 7 games. It seems that their Cup run has caused the wheels to come off their promotion bandwagon. They also have suffered a grievous loss with the sad passing of their former defender Paul McCarthy at the age of 45, after a suspected heart attack. Such news puts everything into context.
Nevertheless, the rivalry between the two teams will add considerable spice to what is a vital game for both sides. I have to say though that I will be delighted to see a Colchester victory add to their league woes.
JM will have to juggle his squad again and must include young striker Rekeil Pyke who was not even on the bench on Saturday. Sean Murray could also return after suspension (perhaps keep him off the red meat prior to kick off!). Tom Lapslie might miss out, he seemed to lack sharpness on Saturday, but then in fairness to him only Dickenson and Briggs deserved their wages against Accrington on Saturday.
Suggest something akin to the following 3,4,3:
Walker
Brindley Wynter Elokobi
Wright Garvan Slater Briggs
Porter Guthrie Dickenson
Subs:
Barnes James Vincent-Young Fosu Pyke Edge Murray
Colchester have 15 games to secure a top seven berth (9 home and 6 away). The last two defeats have put paid to that elusive last automatic promotion spot, therefore wins against the Chairboys and the Monkey Hangers are vital to rekindle the promotion push.
JM must ensure that the U’s start strongly against Wycombe and look to press home any early advantage. Colchester v Wycombe is not a game that requires any additional motivation. Earlier in the season the U’s secured an impressive win at Adams Park. Tuesday would be the perfect opportunity to achieve our second double of the season.
Hopefully a 4,000+ attendance will see the U’s get their promotion push back on track against the Chairboys. Enjoy the game.
Up the Super U’s
 [Post edited 21 Feb 2017 8:10]
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