| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park 09:25 - Jun 21 with 3125 views | durham_exile |
The equation is simple, avoid defeat at St James’ Park on Monday teatime and Colchester United will go to Wembley to contest the League Two Play Off Final on 29 June against either Cheltenham or Northampton.
OK so the game on Thursday against the Grecians was not a classic, but having watched the game in full for a second time the statistics suggest that the U’s deserved to win the game and Exeter were shown to have been too defensive minded and paid the penalty.
Colchester Exeter
Possession % 42 58
Shots 10 8
On Target 2 0
Corners 6 6
Fouls 14 13
The Colchester team was largely as expected but for Callum (Ainsley) Harriott’s omission, which we learned after the game was due to a tight quad (a legacy from that challenge at Salford I wonder).
JM went 4,2,3,1
Gerken
Jackson Eastman Prosser Bramall
Pell Stevenson
Senior Poku Nouble
Norris
Subs:
Lapslie
Sowunmi
Welch-Hayes
Robinson
Clampin
Chilvers
Ross
Cowan-Hall
Gambin
JM made four substitutions of the five that he could have made:
Robinson for Norris on 77 mins
Gambin for Senior on 78 mins
Lapslie for Stevenson on 78 mins
Cowan-Hall for Poku on 89 mins
Matt Taylor lined his Exeter team up 3,5,2:
Ward
Sweeney Martin (A) Moxey
Williams Taylor Atagana Law Sparkes
Bowman Martin
Subs:
Fisher
Randall
Maxted
Seymour
Richardson
Parkes
Collins
Jay
Randall
Taylor also made four substitutions:
Jay for Martin (enforced through injury) on 38 mins
Collins for Law on 67 mins
Dickenson for Sparkes on 77 mins
Parkes for Moxey on 78 mins
Now the pundits and several elements of the press have been sniffy about the game and Colchester but frankly I do not care. On balance we deserved to win the game. Individual brilliance from Cohen Bramall was overshadowed in the Times newspaper by some idiots who got involved in an altercation with a steward after the game whilst waiting for the team to emerge from the stadium.
Bramall’s free kicks were both of the highest order the first forcing a save from Ward the second a superb piece of skill and accuracy after a cheap free kick given away by Brennan Dickenson.
Frankly I wouldn’t change the U’s starting line up unless Harriott is fit and then he would replace Senior and I would give a more prominent role to Theo Robinson (13 minutes game time is no way long enough and he should have come on with 30 minutes to play).
JM spoke with considerable authority after the game — “we’ve won nothing yet, but it gives us an advantage “ yes spot on, now we must go to Exeter with a more positive mindset than the Grecians showed at the JobServe. We must avoid defeat, but if I were JM I would be angling for an early goal to effectively kill the tie.
The Grecians will have just over 1000 cardboard cut outs, whilst Cilla the Greyhound was our star cut out on Thursday. However, there is no home advantage with an empty stadium, and we must remember that in our planning.
Exeter eventually stayed overnight to ensure they were fresh from the 250-mile journey, we must do the same and then stay positive on Monday early evening.
The weather in Devon on Monday will be sunny and 18 degrees Celsius with light winds. Perfect for the game.
Ok so what about the Colchester performances on Thursday:
Gerken — little to do, no on target shot to save.
Jackson — active down the right side and performed competently
Eastman — I am beginning to think he is a frustrated striker, often finds himself in the danger area after a Colchester attack
Prosser — Captain sensible and strong leading the team credentials
Bramall — deserved MOTM performance brilliant free kick(s)
Poku — seemed to be stifled on the right-hand side
Pell — quiet game I want to see more leadership and forward lung busting runs
Stevenson — capable of delivering a rocket and one on Monday evening would be timely
Senior — despite what the faithful sing has an annoying habit of giving the ball away when well placed after doing the hard yards
Nouble — Big Frank worked his way into good positions but let down by poor finishing
Norris — always plays best when given copious amounts of red meat immediately before the game
Subs:
Robinson must be given more time to shine at least 30 minutes
Gambin — very lively when he came on, Sweeney felt the full forced of his left foot shot in the box!
Lapslie — Tigerish, new hair style and looked to have put on a few pounds
Cowan-Hall — great to see him back but impossible to shine when you have only five minutes at the end of the game
Callum Harriot — must play instead of Senior if deemed match fit.
Jevani (Panenka) Brown the forgotten man — will he be shipped out at the end of the season. Does he have commitment issues, what a waste of talent. Come on sort it out!
Exeter will not be as defensive; they must attack more and that will leave gaps on the counter. JM must look for an early goal and not go 11 behind the ball, which is always a mistake.
Treat the game as though it is still 0-0 and approach it with fortitude and professionalism. We have the precious lead given to us by Bramall, but instead of defending, take the game to the Grecians and we will prevail.
2-0 to the Super U’s on the evening. The defence deserves another shut out.
Wembley here we come.
Safe journey to the travelling cut outs!
Up the U’s
 [Post edited 21 Jun 2020 11:30]
|  |
| |  |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 19:50 - Jun 22 with 1020 views | durham_exile |
Nothing to say
The delights of Barrow await
An exodus of players will follow.
Up the U's | |
| |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 19:50 - Jun 22 with 1018 views | Leadbelly |
Humes out |  |
| |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 19:51 - Jun 22 with 1009 views | TheHappyGooner |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 19:39 - Jun 22 by Fruitbat |
We've offered nothing in extra time. |
Unlucky lads seems like a fair result in the end - matched them
Over 180 minutes ...  |  |
| |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 20:00 - Jun 22 with 992 views | bwildered |
Should have beat them in last 15 mins of normal time . Poku one to one turning point .
Thanks Prosser, Big Frank and Jackson, time for Wayne Brown to step up . |  |
| |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 20:08 - Jun 22 with 964 views | Moor_Pinot |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 19:39 - Jun 22 by Fruitbat |
We've offered nothing in extra time. |
Sadly shades of 95 or 96 when Sheedy beat Plymouth 1-0 and we were out fought tactically 3-1 down there.
Not enough direction or enterprise tonight and that has been missing frequently enough this season for me not to be too surprised by this outcome. Better side won. We need to attack with more purpose next season, try some of the Chilvers Clampin group and move Senior and Norris on into the National lg with Frank etc. We have never been quite good enough this season, in fact not quite as good as last year's lot.
Oh well, Barrow and Bolton it is then. Damn. |  |
| |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 20:59 - Jun 22 with 896 views | GOSBTS |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 21:48 - Jun 21 by durham_exile |
GOSBTS it should be an exciting tea time tomorrow.
Wembley here we come.
You will also be well pleased with the result from the AMEX on Saturday.
Up the promotion seeking U's |
From the euphoria of Saturday afternoon to the lows of tonight. I remember the year before Brighton got promoted to the PL; we missed out on promotion on goal difference to M'boro on the last day of the season, lost 4 players to injury in first leg of playoffs and then agonisingly lost out in the second leg. I'd never felt so low from football and had the overriding feeling of "how can I put myself through another season like this?" This is similar to how I feel right now: after all the emotional and financial investment of this season, I can't contemplate right now doing another year in League Two. And I've only been doing it for two years! Of course I'll do it all over again when the time comes but I really feel for the rest of you lifelong U's fans and I'm so sorry about tonight.
I think the worst part of it is that I don't think there is really anyone to blame. Yes we didn't start well and our defence looked shaky at times, but we finished the game so strongly. Nouble was great, Bramall assured. It feels like "what could have been" with Poku's golden chance. If any of you are old enough to remember the 1983 cup final with the "And Smith must score..." for Brighton against Man U, that's similar to Poku's chance. 1-on-1, in reality not a shoe-in, but a glorious opportunity to have sent us to Wembley.
Exeter's Law and Bowman were their stars. Perhaps in normal circumstances having another ball-playing midfielder like Comley would have come to our aid. McGreal made the better changes to see us through in the 90, but Taylor the better subs over 120. We lost our legs in extra time.
Absolutely gutted. I thought our season was excellent and we showed so much more character than the last one where we slipped away. I can't see us going one better without Pross, Nouble, Comley and Jacko. I may feel differently when the season comes around, but it feels a long way off sadly.  [Post edited 22 Jun 2020 21:06]
|  | | |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 21:20 - Jun 22 with 863 views | durham_exile |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 20:59 - Jun 22 by GOSBTS |
From the euphoria of Saturday afternoon to the lows of tonight. I remember the year before Brighton got promoted to the PL; we missed out on promotion on goal difference to M'boro on the last day of the season, lost 4 players to injury in first leg of playoffs and then agonisingly lost out in the second leg. I'd never felt so low from football and had the overriding feeling of "how can I put myself through another season like this?" This is similar to how I feel right now: after all the emotional and financial investment of this season, I can't contemplate right now doing another year in League Two. And I've only been doing it for two years! Of course I'll do it all over again when the time comes but I really feel for the rest of you lifelong U's fans and I'm so sorry about tonight.
I think the worst part of it is that I don't think there is really anyone to blame. Yes we didn't start well and our defence looked shaky at times, but we finished the game so strongly. Nouble was great, Bramall assured. It feels like "what could have been" with Poku's golden chance. If any of you are old enough to remember the 1983 cup final with the "And Smith must score..." for Brighton against Man U, that's similar to Poku's chance. 1-on-1, in reality not a shoe-in, but a glorious opportunity to have sent us to Wembley.
Exeter's Law and Bowman were their stars. Perhaps in normal circumstances having another ball-playing midfielder like Comley would have come to our aid. McGreal made the better changes to see us through in the 90, but Taylor the better subs over 120. We lost our legs in extra time.
Absolutely gutted. I thought our season was excellent and we showed so much more character than the last one where we slipped away. I can't see us going one better without Pross, Nouble, Comley and Jacko. I may feel differently when the season comes around, but it feels a long way off sadly. [Post edited 22 Jun 2020 21:06]
|
After 49 years nothing surprises but it is still hard to take.
A fifth season in league two beckons.
Nothing more to add tonight. Absolutely gutted.
Up the U's | |
| |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 22:03 - Jun 22 with 829 views | GOSBTS |
Well, well, I genuinely believed the final at Wembley would be the U's against Cheltenham. Instead it will be Exeter and Northampton. Did not see that coming. Somehow that makes me feel marginally better. Cheltenham will be as sick as parrots to throw a two goal lead away to lose 3-0 at home. [Post edited 22 Jun 2020 22:03]
| | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 22:57 - Jun 22 with 790 views | durham_exile |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 22:03 - Jun 22 by GOSBTS |
Well, well, I genuinely believed the final at Wembley would be the U's against Cheltenham. Instead it will be Exeter and Northampton. Did not see that coming. Somehow that makes me feel marginally better. Cheltenham will be as sick as parrots to throw a two goal lead away to lose 3-0 at home. [Post edited 22 Jun 2020 22:03]
|
Imagine then how sick I feel with my prediction Colchester v Northampton final!!!!
Up the U's | |
| |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 00:39 - Jun 23 with 754 views | RSCOSWORTH |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 19:50 - Jun 22 by durham_exile |
Nothing to say
The delights of Barrow await
An exodus of players will follow.
Up the U's |
Where do you think they’re going to go? Which clubs in Leagues One and Two are going to have transfer funds? If you’ve got a contract think yourself lucky and see it out. I’d hate to be a lower league footballer right now, especially an out of contract one. |  |
| |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 09:04 - Jun 23 with 680 views | burnsieespana |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 00:39 - Jun 23 by RSCOSWORTH |
Where do you think they’re going to go? Which clubs in Leagues One and Two are going to have transfer funds? If you’ve got a contract think yourself lucky and see it out. I’d hate to be a lower league footballer right now, especially an out of contract one. |
I think you are absolutely right.
Unless we get this virus beaten by September so fans allowed back even with reduced numbers for social distancing those without contracts from the 1st of July have a very tough 12 months ahead.
Players wanted by other teams will have no value as transfer fees will be non existent. |  | | |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 13:19 - Jun 23 with 619 views | bwildered |
For the neutrals, a decent game of football. U's conceded two soft goals and a failed off side trap winner. Would have been a perfect display with away goals counting double.
Next years promotion favourites , losers of this years play off final , Bolton, Salford and Tranmere .
The U's still floundering around a seventh position unless changes in the dugout .
Should remember 1983 Cup final has it was a I was there moment GB . | |
| |
| Super U's to be Wembley bound after impressive victory at St James' Park on 15:15 - Jun 23 with 597 views | gerry_us |
Being a supporter for 60 years I have become used to disappointments and yesterdays result will not make any difference to my support of the U's in the future.
Bland statement ends...
What really annoyed me about yesterday was how well we played for the last half hour of normal time. Heads could have gone down but we probably played the best football of both legs during the last half hour of normal time.
I have a sneaky suspicions that team talk before extra time was more aimed at a penalty shoot out than of winning the tie. If we had played during g extra time as we had during last 20 minutes then we could have been marching to Wembley.
Oh well, there is always next season. |  | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
