| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. 00:20 - Apr 2 with 1687 views | durham_exile |
So, here is the thing we are now on our third Head Coach of the season, 2 wins in 24 games, and we go to the form team of the league Bolton Wanderers led by Ian Evatt with 11 wins and 2 draws in their last 13 games. So, what are the chances of a notable double for this miserable season. I am not a betting man and I would imagine that very few people would offer any chance of Colchester securing the three points.
But that is exactly the point, football is such a strange game. Hayden Mullins offers new Head Coach bounce and with Paul Tisdale now assisting in an advisory position for the final 8 games and at a stadium where we are not expected to get anything at all, a season enhancing victory at the University of Bolton Stadium for the U’s is my prediction by 3-2. The shock of the season no less at 1300hrs on Good Friday but why not. The Trotters will be expecting to win, complacency will have set in, and we are due a performance and result.
Table:
20 Walsall 37 41 -7
21 COL U 38 39 -17
22 Barrow 36 38 -4
23 Southend 38 35 -27
24 Grimsby 37 32 -27
Remaining Games:
Bolton A Win (yes really)
Barrow H Win
Oldham A Draw
Walsall H Win
Southend H Win
Cheltenham A
Salford H
Tranmere A
Realistically we need to win 3 of our next 5 games to ensure survival. Barrow, Walsall, and Southend offer our best chances of wins and look the favourite three games, but I do believe that we can beat the Trotters and that will engender the confidence required to get those other valuable victories. Yes I know there are 8 games, but we need the points now not later. Besides a safety net would then exist if we did not achieve the required victories against our fellow relegation candidates.
So, who will Hayden Mullins choose to kick an 8-game season off at Bolton?
I do not think he will make many changes. The players are good enough, it is all about gaining the confidence to turn performances into results.
In goal Gerken or George. Of the all the positions over the years Colchester have always employed a decent Goalkeeper. I think HM will just give the nod to Gerken.
The back four is likely to be Welch-Hayes, Eastman, Smith and Clampin (if fit) otherwise Doherty.
Midfield: Stevenson, Pell and Wiredu.
Strikers: Senior, Brown and Folivi.
Subs:
George, Tchamadeu, Cowan-Hall, Chilvers, Nouble, Lapslie, Tovide
Our International players (Harriott and Poku) are still unavailable and so we must wait for their return. Big Frank has been a popular player at the club and when he first returned on loan, he showed glimpses of his old form. Recently he has been struggling for pace and has lost some impetus. I would play Michael Folivi who has pace and with Brown and Senior can offer real problems for the Bolton defence.
In the last games the team was beginning to gel because WB was playing a settled team without too many changes. 8 games for these players to secure the points to get us out of the predicament that we find ourselves in.
Football is all about confidence and after such a wretched run confidence is low, attitude has suffered and there has been a lack of belief. HM knows the squad and the set up. If he truly has been given a green light for the final 8 games, then he should be allowed to set the team up his way and to get his tactics right. Tisdale will be invaluable here, he took an Exeter City team with limited resources and achieved consistent performances and promotions.
RC has given them both 8 games or 720 minutes to achieve the points to save our season and give us a chance to remain a league club.
Some years ago, I went to Notts County who themselves were struggling to survive (they played the theme to the Great Escape before the game) and they showed, effort, commitment, and endeavour to play us off the park and to win the game. Having achieved that miracle that season they made the mistake of failing to consolidate and look where they are now. We must survive and build back better for next year.
We need to take total commitment to Bolton tomorrow and to play with enthusiasm and belief. There should be no necessity to encourage the squad. The players know what is expected of them and they understand the implications of failure.
Ironically earlier in the season we defeated the Trotters by 2-0 and whilst they had plenty of the ball, we deserved the victory. It is a long time since we scored early doors and took the game to the opposition. Recently we have almost been waiting for the opposition to score and then have been chasing the game.
Our Away record is lamentable but one of the reasons for that is that SB played 4,5,1 or 5,4,1 and our single striker was isolated and marked out of the game. More recently against a decent Tranmere team, we should have scored 3 or 4 goals in the first half and the effort that night suggested that we had the nouse to get out of the relegation mire. Sadly, the effort and commitment was not there against Bradford after another slow start and once again conceding the first goal.
No one gives Colchester a hope against Bolton, so let us go at them early doors and get players forward. The players must do this for the Coach, for themselves but also for the faithful who have suffered tremendously this season. I do not believe that we are a bad team. I think instead that the players have been mis-managed this season and expected to play often out of position and ultra-defensively.
As a result of iFollow I have been able to watch every league game this season and like many am heartedly sick and tired of the poor results, the criticism from the pundits and commentators and the air of depression that then envelopes the board and the faithful. It is so frustrating to lose to some of the sides that we have been beaten by this season. Now the league table never lies but think about losing to Cambridge, Scunny, Crawley, Port Vale and Bradford. Absolutely shocking.
Now I am not advocating the Kevin Keegan school of management, but let the players express themselves and see what they can achieve over the next eight games. If we fail, then let no one turn round and say that we did not try to achieve the required results.
RC took an early decision from a business rather than football perspective. The writing was on the wall when the Colchester four or rather five if you include Ethan Ross were let go after the Exeter play off defeat last season. He has been in charge for 15 years and frankly the last 5 years have been increasingly difficult. We may well remain in the black at the end of the season, but that will count for little if we face life outside of the Football League. We simply must survive.
We initially looked good value for a promotion spot, then more realistically a play off berth and then the rot set in after Marine and the mauling at Exeter. Morecambe cruised to victory against us, but we lost some games to poor teams as well. See above.
Weather in Bolton will be 9 degrees c, sunny and dry at 1300hrs. Remember an early kick off for Good Friday. A victory will shock all the teams around us and put them under pressure. The determination of the final places is still in our own hands. We still have to play Barrow, Walsall, and Southend. The players owe the supporters for that shocking performance at Roots Hall on Boxing Day.
Tomorrow though is all about springing a surprise. How much does the team want this? Are they able to produce a match winning performance at the University of Bolton stadium? I believe so.
Try and enjoy the game.
Keep the faith.
Up the U’s
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 09:30 - Apr 2 with 1189 views | burnsieespana |
To me Nouble has to play and also PCH and whilst I don't have the same optimism as you think we might just pull a surprise and get a draw so I am hoping for a 1-1!
As regards Notts County I too was at that game
For this season not to finish in a disaster I suspect we will need at least 8 more points so come in Col U start today in getting the points in the bag. [Post edited 2 Apr 2021 15:06]
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 12:48 - Apr 2 with 1136 views | mfb_cufc |
Team: Gerken, Welch-Hayes, Eastman, Smith, Clampin, Lapslie, Chilvers, Pell, Wiredu, Senior, Nouble
Subs: Doherty, Tchamadeu, Stevenson, Cowan-Hall, Folivi, Brown, George |  |
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 12:50 - Apr 2 with 1133 views | noah4x4 |
Looking at the selected team, are we aiming for a 0-0 draw? I'd take that!
Looks like 4 - 5 - 1 all out defence rather than 4 -2 - 3 - 1 |  | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 13:34 - Apr 2 with 1092 views | thrillseeker |
Beginning to feel like we are going to concede soon |  | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 13:38 - Apr 2 with 1087 views | thrillseeker |
35 minutes - no shots | | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 13:39 - Apr 2 with 1081 views | gerry_us |
Looks like we are all over them! |  | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 13:43 - Apr 2 with 1076 views | thrillseeker |
38 minutes - we have a shot | | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 13:51 - Apr 2 with 1064 views | thrillseeker |
Played better in last 10 minutes of half. | | | |
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 14:02 - Apr 2 with 1052 views | wessex_exile |
Definitely came back into the game in the last 15 minutes. Need to keep our focus though, defending first and foremost for the second half. |  |
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 14:11 - Apr 2 with 1041 views | gerry_us |
Where is Durham?
Hiding in a cupboard somewhere?  | | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 14:23 - Apr 2 with 1035 views | wessex_exile |
Outside the Reebok with a megaphone and rattle? | |
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 14:26 - Apr 2 with 1033 views | gerry_us |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 14:23 - Apr 2 by wessex_exile |
Outside the Reebok with a megaphone and rattle? |
Classic | | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 14:57 - Apr 2 with 1000 views | wessex_exile |
Excellent point, thoroughly deserved too! | |
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 14:57 - Apr 2 with 999 views | gerry_us |
Mission accomplished. | | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 14:58 - Apr 2 with 993 views | thrillseeker |
A very good performance.
Now for 3 pts Monday
Enjoy the weekend | | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 14:59 - Apr 2 with 991 views | Leadbelly |
Sounded like it was a much more organised and committed performance than has been the case for a long time. | |
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 15:00 - Apr 2 with 990 views | Moor_Pinot |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 14:57 - Apr 2 by wessex_exile |
Excellent point, thoroughly deserved too! |
Damn good effort, we need that every game now. |  |
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 15:11 - Apr 2 with 972 views | pwrightsknees |
Oh Dear. I hadn't realised it was a 1.00pm kick off, so I missed it on iFollow.
But from this thread, it seems that, at last, the team understood their tactics and worked together and committed themselves to a team performance.
Early days, but a promise of better times and, hopefully survival.
Uo the re-vitalised U's. | | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 15:46 - Apr 2 with 956 views | noah4x4 |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 15:11 - Apr 2 by pwrightsknees |
Oh Dear. I hadn't realised it was a 1.00pm kick off, so I missed it on iFollow.
But from this thread, it seems that, at last, the team understood their tactics and worked together and committed themselves to a team performance.
Early days, but a promise of better times and, hopefully survival.
Uo the re-vitalised U's. |
Bolton didn't turn up either......only joking!
It was a hard fought point. The U's were tactically closer to San Marino than Barcelona, but in the circumstances was a near perfect performance having been set up to avoid defeat. Neither side deserved three points.
Barrow losing, but Grimsby unexpectedly leading.
EDIT
Barrow win, and Grimsby concede at the death to drop two points. It is now all about the bottom three. [Post edited 2 Apr 2021 17:38]
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 17:11 - Apr 2 with 924 views | burnsieespana |
Results didn't our way either and Southend play tomorrow means Monday V Barrow is vital we get a win. | | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 18:51 - Apr 2 with 868 views | durham_exile |
Sorry guys I was celebrating my eldest sons birthday in accordance with social distancing provisions!
Deliberately stayed away from phone, computer and TV until after the game.
Very pleased with the point now for the three home wins.
Up the U's | |
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 21:10 - Apr 2 with 812 views | gerry_us |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 18:51 - Apr 2 by durham_exile |
Sorry guys I was celebrating my eldest sons birthday in accordance with social distancing provisions!
Deliberately stayed away from phone, computer and TV until after the game.
Very pleased with the point now for the three home wins.
Up the U's |
Good story Durham.
Wessex said you were outside the Reebok with a megaphone and rattle?
Sounds more like it! | | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 21:21 - Apr 2 with 807 views | burnsieespana |
Good story Durham but Gerry reckoned you were hiding in a cupboard! | | | |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 22:03 - Apr 2 with 794 views | durham_exile |
| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 21:21 - Apr 2 by burnsieespana |
Good story Durham but Gerry reckoned you were hiding in a cupboard! |
I would have loved to have been at the stadium today.
A very valuable point now for three against Barrow.
The Lion the witch and the wardrobe. And no I wasn't hiding in a cupboard honestly.
Up the U's | |
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| Super U's to defeat Trotters at a Canter. on 14:43 - Apr 3 with 632 views | burnsieespana |
Whilst we should not rely upon the failings of others I hope Carlisle seal a win today against Southend. | | | |
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