| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. 11:40 - Aug 23 with 2170 views | durham_exile |
As a Colchester United supporter - reasons to be cheerful:
We are only 12 points off the top spot in the League (with a game in hand).
We are only 7 points off a top seven spot (with a game in hand).
In Joe Taylor we have the best striker in League Two (bar none).
This weekend Samson Tovide will be back to form a double act with Taylor to match
the legendary Bannister and Warboys.
Fiacre Kelleher is back in training and will be back in the team soon.
Arthur Read is one of the most consistent midfield players in the league.
Tom Smith will soon be making his first team appearance as Number One. BG knows all about him after the last games of last season when he was outstanding.
Ryan Lowe is waiting in the wings. An outstanding midfield talent.
As a Colchester United supporter – reasons to be optimistic:
We have been promised an additional transfer target, that of an experienced midfield player (in the Ben Stevenson mould).
We will spring a surprise at the Priestfield on Saturday and secure our first three points of the season.
There is plenty of opportunity to secure 78 points and a top seven finish.
As a Colchester United supporter reasons to be uncertain:
Junior Tchamadeu – just what is happening. Are Stoke City adamant that they are going to sign him for £1.5m. Tchamadeu himself has put in a transfer request and his performances at present are disappointing with none of the lung-busting runs that we saw last season. This must be resolved one way or another by 31 August because it is a massive distraction for the team and our results.
Noah Chilvers – “he’s one of our own”. Another talented player who needs to get his act together. If he has desire to play at a higher level then performances like those seen this season will neither endear him to management, supporters or other club’s scouts alike. Chilvers has ability and used to be a dead ball specialist but freekicks and corners are woeful at present. His performance on the ball is sadly lacking and I am unclear whether his best position is just behind the front two given his ability to turn possession into a converted chance. Stop believing the hype and the desire to be the next Grealish and knuckle down and put the effort into being a team member and inspiring midfield player.
Big John Akinde – looks the part this season, has slimmed down and looks much fitter but still fails to convert promising chances. Work on the training ground to improve the conversion rate.
We have been unlucky once again with injuries. Fiacre Kelleher was injured in pre-season. Tom Dallison has been injured and new signing Ellis Iandolo will be out of action for two months at least.
Also, Connor Hall has not been as commanding at the back this season.
BG needs to sort out the Goalkeeping position number one. Owen Goodman is not the number one Tom Smith is the man and should be given his chance. Sam Hornby and Ted Collins are also in the frame but below Smith in the pecking order.
Is BG the man to lead the U’s forward this season. Too soon perhaps to raise this but the step up from last season hasn’t happened yet. Whilst changing the manager again is neither desirable nor ideal from a longevity perspective, we do not want to drift aimlessly.
Also, we have the unenviable record of almost permanent struggle over the past 8 seasons. Advancing backwards as someone might opine. The right chemistry needs to be identified and implemented as soon as possible.
So, this weekend we go to league leaders Gillingham to attempt to score a goal against them and win the game.
Who will BG select? Football is all about selecting the best players in the match day squad and those who are in form. With that in mind can we afford to leave Tchamadeu and Chilvers out on Saturday. And if we do who will replace them. Alex Newby could come in for Tchamadeu and Ryan Lowe for Chilvers.
However, when on form they are two of the best players at the club and we need the best players at the Priestfield.
So here we go 3,4,1,2:
Smith
Lawrence Hall Kazeem
Tchamadeu Bandeira Read Fevrier
Chilvers
Tovide Taylor
Subs
Goodman Greenidge Egbo Newby Akinde Jay Ihionvien
As I wrote earlier an experienced midfield player is required soonest. Now on paper that team is surely strong enough to secure a decent place in league two.
Saturday will see the U’s up against the form team and arguably the best team in the league. Neil Harris was allowed to spend money and the signings have gelled together well. Jake Turner, George Lapslie, Tom Nichols and Macca Bonne are amongst the new or recent signings that have transformed the team.
But no team is unbeatable. The U’s need to put in a 110-minute performance and stop the fading away and falling apart at key moments. We can prevail at the Priestfield. I fancy a 1-0 win for the U’s with Taylor adding to his growing reputation.
Now I am posting these thoughts today but reserve the right to amend should a midfield signing be made before Friday.
Gillingham weather will be 20 degrees Celsius, partly sunny with a 39% chance of precipitation.
Safe journey to the travelling faithful.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
 [Post edited 23 Aug 2023 15:18]
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 12:05 - Aug 23 with 2160 views | bwildered |
Oh, has the season started yet ! |  |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 21:22 - Aug 23 with 2030 views | RSCOSWORTH |
Not sure finishing 6th and 8th, twice, were seasons that can de described as a struggle. Also Goodman is here to play, Palace won’t want him sitting on the bench at a League Two club. |  |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 21:44 - Aug 23 with 2023 views | durham_exile |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 21:22 - Aug 23 by RSCOSWORTH |
Not sure finishing 6th and 8th, twice, were seasons that can de described as a struggle. Also Goodman is here to play, Palace won’t want him sitting on the bench at a League Two club. |
Sadly we have been declining as a club for some years now.
Last promotion was 2006 and since that glorious time in the Championship we have advanced backwards.
We have struggled and the battle against relegation has become all too familiar.
I rate Tom Smith highly as a keeper and he should be given the chance once again between the sticks
Goodman has conceded too many goals in the short space of time he has been number one.
BG needs to play not only his best players but also those who are in form.
Smith should play at the Priestfield.
Time to kick the team into gear and start to produce results. The lethargy and poor performances have to stop.
This season the league will be ultra competitive and we must start to play. The team is currently underachieving.
The club and the supporters deserve better
We start this weekend by standing up and being counted against arguably the best team in the league.
Up the U's [Post edited 23 Aug 2023 22:13]
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 23:25 - Aug 23 with 2002 views | burnsieespana |
Agree we have signed Tom Smith so be wasting good wages and stunt his development if he doesn't play.
With Goodman we are helping another club so if they are not happy let him go back to CP as we do after all have Hornby and Collins from our own Academy [Post edited 26 Aug 2023 13:15]
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 22:22 - Aug 25 with 1799 views | thrillseeker |
Gillingham players involved in crash
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 23:05 - Aug 25 with 1789 views | durham_exile |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 22:22 - Aug 25 by thrillseeker |
Gillingham players involved in crash
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The crash occured on Thursday and the four players in the BMW were Jonny Williams, Timothee Dieng, Macca Bonne and George Lapslie.
All walked away from the car.
When I first saw the video I thought it had been staged because of the position of the camera but clearly the driver genuinely lost control.
At least noone was hurt.
Let's see what damage the Super U's can inflict on them at the Priestfield on Saturday.
Up the U's | |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 14:19 - Aug 26 with 1645 views | mfb_cufc |
U's side to face Gillingham (two changes): Goodman, Greenidge, Lawrence, Hall, Tchamadeu, Fevrier, Read, Egbo, Chilvers, Taylor, Tovide
U's subs v Gillingham: Kelleher, Kazeem, Newby, Bandeira, Jay, Ihionvien, Smith |  |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:05 - Aug 26 with 1605 views | wessex_exile |
Reasonably solid first half, but the injury to Lawrence doesn't sound good - typical when you're down on your luck :-(
Good to see Kels back though. |  |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:17 - Aug 26 with 1590 views | wessex_exile |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:05 - Aug 26 by wessex_exile |
Reasonably solid first half, but the injury to Lawrence doesn't sound good - typical when you're down on your luck :-(
Good to see Kels back though. |
Taylor subbed - sounds like the right decision, rather that than a red card. | |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:26 - Aug 26 with 1571 views | durham_exile |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:17 - Aug 26 by wessex_exile |
Taylor subbed - sounds like the right decision, rather that than a red card. |
Welcome back Kells
1-0 Super U's | |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:27 - Aug 26 with 1570 views | wessex_exile |
Secret Striker Kelleher does it again! 1-0 to the U's! We're all over them right now.
Come on Col U! | |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:28 - Aug 26 with 1568 views | thrillseeker |
Sounds like Tchamadeu spat his dummy out following substitution.
Reportedly Tchamadeu disappeared straight to changing room, giving a bit of attitude and glaring at BG
Be interesting to her BG's comments on this
[Post edited 26 Aug 2023 16:29]
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:42 - Aug 26 with 1556 views | wessex_exile |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:28 - Aug 26 by thrillseeker |
Sounds like Tchamadeu spat his dummy out following substitution.
Reportedly Tchamadeu disappeared straight to changing room, giving a bit of attitude and glaring at BG
Be interesting to her BG's comments on this
[Post edited 26 Aug 2023 16:29]
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He better suck it up, because chances are he's going to be here at least until January. To be fair, he sounded like he was having a better performance today.
Tovide though 2-0 to the U's! | |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:48 - Aug 26 with 1551 views | durham_exile |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:42 - Aug 26 by wessex_exile |
He better suck it up, because chances are he's going to be here at least until January. To be fair, he sounded like he was having a better performance today.
Tovide though 2-0 to the U's! |
Bradley 3-0 | |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:52 - Aug 26 with 1545 views | thrillseeker |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 16:48 - Aug 26 by durham_exile |
Bradley 3-0 |
Goal looked offside but the finish was top drawer | | | |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 17:04 - Aug 26 with 1524 views | CrashBandicoot |
3-0 away to the L2 table toppers, can't get much better than that. Now maybe we can kick on from this. |  |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 17:09 - Aug 26 with 1515 views | durham_exile |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 17:04 - Aug 26 by CrashBandicoot |
3-0 away to the L2 table toppers, can't get much better than that. Now maybe we can kick on from this. |
As I said this season started today.
Up the U's | |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 17:16 - Aug 26 with 1505 views | burnsieespana |
Have to say I am flabbergasted but great result and well done to BG and the boys.
Looks like we might have to sign a centre back this week.
Good to see Bradley get his first pro goal and he could well be a very useful player for us. [Post edited 26 Aug 2023 17:51]
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 17:47 - Aug 26 with 1471 views | mfb_cufc |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 23:05 - Aug 25 by durham_exile |
The crash occured on Thursday and the four players in the BMW were Jonny Williams, Timothee Dieng, Macca Bonne and George Lapslie.
All walked away from the car.
When I first saw the video I thought it had been staged because of the position of the camera but clearly the driver genuinely lost control.
At least noone was hurt.
Let's see what damage the Super U's can inflict on them at the Priestfield on Saturday.
Up the U's |
Two car crashes for Gillingham players in three days. | |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 18:03 - Aug 26 with 1448 views | wessex_exile |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 17:47 - Aug 26 by mfb_cufc |
Two car crashes for Gillingham players in three days. |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 18:35 - Aug 26 with 1426 views | CrashBandicoot |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 17:47 - Aug 26 by mfb_cufc |
Two car crashes for Gillingham players in three days. |
Shall we send them some L plates as a present so they can learn how to drive and win properly? | |
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| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 07:20 - Aug 27 with 1286 views | noah4x4 |
Yesterday, I was still focussed on cricket (a fine win for Colchester & East Essex), but have just enjoyed watching the whole of the I-Follow re-run. At last, something to cheer about.
Given Gillingham, MK Dons and Wimbledon are right up there, maybe we have already played three of the title contenders, whilst starved of Tovide and Kelleher for two of these fixtures? This was my first proper look at this season’s U’s and I saw only encouragement, other than Tchamandeau’s conspicuous petulance when subbed. Garner clearly stood firm and this evidence of strong management should hold us in good stead, if we can keep players fit. Players are now fighting for their shirts and a convincing performance at Walsall will put us on track. |  | | |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 12:24 - Aug 27 with 1205 views | durham_exile |
| This season starts Saturday at the Priestfield with our first win. on 07:20 - Aug 27 by noah4x4 |
Yesterday, I was still focussed on cricket (a fine win for Colchester & East Essex), but have just enjoyed watching the whole of the I-Follow re-run. At last, something to cheer about.
Given Gillingham, MK Dons and Wimbledon are right up there, maybe we have already played three of the title contenders, whilst starved of Tovide and Kelleher for two of these fixtures? This was my first proper look at this season’s U’s and I saw only encouragement, other than Tchamandeau’s conspicuous petulance when subbed. Garner clearly stood firm and this evidence of strong management should hold us in good stead, if we can keep players fit. Players are now fighting for their shirts and a convincing performance at Walsall will put us on track. |
Noah by the time the cricket has finished and you are able to return to the U's we could be in the top seven.
This week should see the Tchamadeu situation sorted and then the three additional players midfield and defenders could see the squad finalised.
It's all about three points at the Bescot now.
Up the U's | |
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