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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
Durham_exile
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Super U's find the right chemistry to vanquish the Sulphurites at the JCS on 17:32 - Aug 24 with 944 views
Let’s not get too carried away. Long as we win some and loose some we will be fine. We do look a lot better team in general a bit more connected. It’s a long season. Long as we stay even not to high off a good result or low off a lose.
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Super U's find the right chemistry to vanquish the Sulphurites at the JCS on 17:45 - Aug 24 with 903 views
Cricket rained off early, so I made an unexpected visit to the stadium.
Possession and shots mean zilch if we don't score. I blame Cowley for the defeat as he takes off Egbo and within seconds we are a shambles at the back and concede. Smash & Grab yes, but we need to be self-critical. We were really poor in and around their box plus their keeper made two world class saves.
I can understand the hand ball penalty not being given, but Tovide was twice dragged down cynically, yet no penalty. We will play far worse and win.
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Super U's find the right chemistry to vanquish the Sulphurites at the JCS on 17:58 - Aug 24 with 894 views
Only got ourselves to blame , one mistake at the back being the diffence. Cannot rely on the officials giving us decisions, need to create your own openings. Otherall a good display but more ruthless in front of goal . Nothing out of a descent display, football can be cruel , keep heads up and move on .
Super U's find the right chemistry to vanquish the Sulphurites at the JCS on 17:45 - Aug 24 by noah4x4
Cricket rained off early, so I made an unexpected visit to the stadium.
Possession and shots mean zilch if we don't score. I blame Cowley for the defeat as he takes off Egbo and within seconds we are a shambles at the back and concede. Smash & Grab yes, but we need to be self-critical. We were really poor in and around their box plus their keeper made two world class saves.
I can understand the hand ball penalty not being given, but Tovide was twice dragged down cynically, yet no penalty. We will play far worse and win.
I think Samson needs to spend less time grappling with defenders and more time trying to get in front of them - the one time he did that he would have scored but for a good save from their keeper, who was faultless. Their goal resulted from shambolic defending. Nothing more to say about it.
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Super U's find the right chemistry to vanquish the Sulphurites at the JCS on 18:46 - Aug 24 with 857 views
Super U's find the right chemistry to vanquish the Sulphurites at the JCS on 17:58 - Aug 24 by bwildered
Only got ourselves to blame , one mistake at the back being the diffence. Cannot rely on the officials giving us decisions, need to create your own openings. Otherall a good display but more ruthless in front of goal . Nothing out of a descent display, football can be cruel , keep heads up and move on .
Completely agree. I was pleased that in his post match interview DC didn't say anything about the penalty shouts.
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Super U's find the right chemistry to vanquish the Sulphurites at the JCS on 21:23 - Aug 24 with 795 views
That’s three times in a row we’ve dominated Harrogate and finished up with zero points. Until we can put together unbeaten and winning runs we’re always going to down the wrong end of the table. Really disappointed with today. Different personnel but the mentality doesn’t seem to be changing.
Good performance let down by our lack of finishing ability.
I am surprised Cowley cannot see an issue with our inability to score/ take chances.
The other thing that took me by surprise was the substitution of Egbo who was having a good game and provides balance/ support defensively and going forward
Super U's find the right chemistry to vanquish the Sulphurites at the JCS on 09:32 - Aug 25 by thrillseeker
Good performance let down by our lack of finishing ability.
I am surprised Cowley cannot see an issue with our inability to score/ take chances.
The other thing that took me by surprise was the substitution of Egbo who was having a good game and provides balance/ support defensively and going forward
[Post edited 25 Aug 9:33]
I just think we have to admit we are a win some loose some club. Yes we have some decent players but can they do it week in week out. League 2 is very very hard to find consistent performances ( if the players could they would be higher up the leagues ). No club is going to fear playing us. We have decent players and DC and NC are ok. There must be worse managers in the league than them but also a lot better….
How we finished last season I think just putting daylight between us and relegation is a big win… it was the same management duo that nearly got us related. So if they managed to stay away from that we have improved….
Only our fans have built DC / NC and our players into top 7 ( play off ) or league winners. No one else has.
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Super U's find the right chemistry to vanquish the Sulphurites at the JCS on 20:35 - Aug 27 with 332 views
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